Community groups boosted with £75,000 funding for projects
Eight groups based in Elephant and Castle are getting a share of £75,000 in grant funding for projects benefiting people within the community.
Classes on climate change for children, exercise sessions for older people and accessible play groups for mothers are among the projects that will benefit from the Southwark council fund.
Groups receiving funding include Parent Action Southwark which runs a weekly calendar of activities from a play scheme to gardening as well as antenatal and post-natal courses.
They will use the grant to fund accessible play groups for mothers, focused particularly on people from Spanish speaking backgrounds.
The grant will also create a pilot of an employment support programme for young people with education needs from employment support group Sculpt, fund a part time youth worker’s salary for Inspire Walworth’s youth club and allow Silverfit to host a series of physical activity sessions for 60 older people.
Other recipients of the grant include Climate Ed, Mental Fight Club, Flashy Wings Ministry and Silverfit.
Applicants to the Elephant & Castle community fund applied for grants ranging from £3,000 to £12,000 for their initiatives.
To qualify they were asked to show how their project addressed a need and themes that included further education, skills, training and entrepreneurship, arts and culture, environment, young people and wellbeing.
The Elephant and Castle community fund has donated nearly £600,000 to the community since it was set up by Southwark council 12 years ago.
Councillor Stephanie Cryan, cabinet member for equalities, democracy and finance, said: “The community spirit in Elephant and Castle is one of the many reasons it’s such a great place to live, work and visit, thanks to the diverse groups and organisations working in the local area. I’m delighted that this money will continue supporting their vital work, benefitting people of all ages and backgrounds.”
Pictured top: Silverfit’s walking sessions in Burgess Park for older people in Elephant and Castle (Picture: Silverfit)