We’ve helped support nine community groups with our Citizen Local Fund

Nine community groups across the West Midlands will benefit from funding to improve wellbeing in our neighbourhoods.

The groups applied to our Citizen Local Fund – a pot of money available for projects running in our communities – and were given the opportunity to apply for up to £5,000.

The aim of the fund is to support our residents and communities to thrive. We support ideas and projects that promote mental and physical wellbeing, reduce social isolation, bring communities together and enhance local areas.

The projects which have been successful include:

• Hillfields People Project Watch Centre – the funding will be used to expand their work of providing life-skills support, advice and guidance activities for young people and adults living in Hillfields
• St Peter’s Centre, Hillfields – the money will help to buy a new cooker, fridge and freezer to help with the community lunch that is held there. There is an increase in demand for their service due to the cost of living
• Coventry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre – The centre plans to use the funding to create an animation which will address the myths and stereotypes that create a culture of rape as well as removing the stigma around talking about sexual violence and abuse
• Wardon Community Lunch, Worcestershire – The money will help support a community lunch event where people from the local community prepare and eat a meal free of charge all under the guidance of a professional chef
• Coventry House Project with Coventry City Council – The project supports young people aged 16 and 17 who are in care to move into their own flats and learn the life skills they need
• Drought Resilient Allotment and Garden Plan, Worcester – money will be used to build a raised bed with water storage underneath for 1,000 litres of water to use during a drought
• Shine a Light, Play Therapy for Children with Cancer, Coventry – this will help fund counselling support provided by counsellors and therapists for any child who is affected by any type of cancer. It will also support play therapy sessions with a qualified specialist.
• Cyclemoor, Stoke Aldermoor – the club will use the money to help people in Stoke Aldermoor learn how to ride bikes, enjoy outdoor actives and improve their mental and physical wellbeing.
• Skipton Lodge Breakfast and Lunch Clubs, Coventry – Funding will help to provide cooking equipment needed to host the clubs in the kitchen at Skipton Lodge

Sandra Tod is one of our customers who takes part in the Skipton Lodge Breakfast and Lunch club.

She helps to cook the food which residents enjoy.

She said: “I’m so pleased our group has been successful in the Citizen Local Fund. I enjoy cooking for those who live at Skipton Lodge and bringing people together.”

Our Customer Engagement Partner Verity Darbyshire said it’s great for us to be supporting people living in our communities.

She said: “It’s fantastic that all these nine groups have been successful in the Citizen Local Fund and that the money is helping people who are living in our communities across the West Midlands.

“At Citizen we want to work with our partners to make a difference to our customers and communities and the Citizen Local Fund does just that.

“We are thrilled to hear from Sandra that the money will be a huge help to those who take part in the club at Skipton Lodge.

“Congratulations to all the people who have received money through the Citizen Local Fund, we hope it helps achieve your goals.”

The next round of the Citizen Local Fund is currently open until the end of June and grants of up to £3,000 are available.

If you know someone who would benefit from the Citizen Local Fund, encourage them to visit our website and apply by filling in the form here.

For media enquiries contact our Communications Team.