Community groups set to benefit from collective Lottery bid
A partnership of local community organisations, supported by Wirral Council, has successfully bid for National Lottery funding of nearly £1.6m to deliver projects in the borough over the next three years that will have a wide-reaching impact for local people.
Those organisations come together under the banner of ‘Cool Wirral’ and carry out environment-related activities locally. The application for National Lottery funding was for them to collectively deliver the ‘Thriving Communities’ programme in Wirral.
At the next meeting of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee, members will be asked to approve a recommendation to allocate the funding to the community groups and their project, as set out in a separate part of the report.
Thriving Communities is a three-year programme consisting of a range of community-led projects that will empower disadvantaged residents to lead healthier lives, improve their mental wellbeing, manage the cost of living and strengthen social ties - all whilst reducing their carbon footprints.
The programme aims to engage 14,000 residents in community development-centred climate action, help 3,500 residents achieve improved mental wellbeing, increase physical activity amongst 200 residents, lower the weekly food bills of 570 households, reduce the energy bills for 620 households and 72 community organisations, and take five community energy projects to business case stage, amongst other outcomes.
The programme frames climate action as a practical way to tackle the everyday issues that matter most to local communities. By doing this, it aims to encourage long-term involvement and changes in behaviour.
It also aims to build greater support for climate policies, while helping people develop the skills, confidence, and leadership needed to create a lasting impact and strengthen community resilience.
The Council played a key role in developing this successful bid. It provided strong leadership throughout the application process and coordinated all delivery partners. Continued leadership and support from Wirral Council will be essential to make sure the programme is delivered well and achieves its goals.
Here is a list of the local organisations involved in the Thriving Communities programme:-
- Callister Trust
- Compost Works
- Energy Projects Plus
- Faiths4Change
- Grow Wellbeing CIC
- Joint Rotary Environment Group Heswall
- Options for Supported Living
- St Vincent’s Centre Wirral
- Wirral Council
- Wirral Environmental Network
- Wirral Forest: Wellbeing CIC
- Wirral Repair Cafe
If committee approves the recommendation to accept the funding when they meet on June 15th, the community groups and their project will receive their allocation to deliver activities as described in a separate part of the report.
