Fourteen local groups ranging from sports clubs to older peoples groups in the Newton Aycliffe area have been boosted by a community grant fund.
The Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership (GAMP) Community Grant Fund has proved to be a major boost for a number of local groups and in some cases has provided essential funding to help them develop their services.
The Community Grant Fund allowed local community groups to apply for grants between £250 and £750 after GAMP allocated £10,000 of its Area Budget towards the initiative.
This unique fund has helped a wide range of groups, including The Pop In, who received funding to help with venue hire costs, contribution towards Christmas trip/meal and the purchase of board games, including specialist games for the visually impaired. The specialist games have proved of particular use to two of the group’s members; Freda who is the clubs oldest member at 92 years old and she has found the new larger edition of Scrabble much easier to use as has Margaret (who is partially sighted) with the new edition of Rummikub.
The Pop In is a weekly club that meets on a Monday afternoon at St Elizabeth’s Church, Woodham Village (2pm – 4pm) and provides a place for elderly residents to meet and participate in social activities. The club is always on the lookout for new members and a warm welcome and a cuppa will be given.
Joyce Malcolm, from the Pop In, said: ‘The funding we received from GAMP will allow the club to plan future activities for our members. For some of our members the club is the only time that they get to meet other people, socialise and leave their homes. On behalf of the group I would like to thank GAMP for their support.’
The Community Grant Fund has focused on trying to help a wide range of groups and has attracted over £16,000 worth of match funding.
Other groups who have benefitted from the grants include: Lifeline Community Action, Newton Aycliffe Youth and Community Centre, Walworth School, New Pathways Together, Newton Aycliffe Youth FC, Great Aycliffe Town Council, Great Aycliffe Cancer Support Group, New Friends New Places, Aycliffe Village School PTS, Greenfield Arts Centre, Aycliffe Triathlon Club, ACLE Scouts and Agnew Community Centre.
Brian Riley, GAMP Coordinator, said: ‘The success of the fund means it is now fully allocated and has proved to be of immense benefit to a wide range of local groups, who work within our community.’
GAMP is one of 14 Area Action Partnerships set up by Durham County Council in 2009.