News

A WDH Community Grant has helped Love2Act drama club to buy new costumes and props for their production with a £646 cash boost.

Community groups across Wakefield District are encouraged to apply for a WDH Community Grant of up to £1500 between 6 August- 14 September.

WDH has awarded the Wakefield Music Collective £500 to help them hold the annual music festival.

Grange Park Bowling Club in Outwood has been awarded a Community Grant of over £640 by WDH.

Catch A Falling Star, an adult mental health support group was awarded £780 by WDH’s Community Grant Scheme.

CoActive Arts has been awarded a WDH Community Grant for £1,000.

The WDH Community Grant Scheme is now open for local community groups and voluntary clubs to apply for up to £1,500. The cash boost can help towards existing services, buying equipment or paying for an event. The aim is to increase community spirit and enhance the quality of life for local people. Karen Deeley from Eastmoor Community Garden Association, whose art workshop project received funding from WDH, told us what the grant meant to her. "Five art workshops have taken place and the project has proved to be a wonderful experience.  Children aged between three and seven participated and created underwater scene art, willow wreathes and clay models.  As well as getting arty, people enjoyed exploring the community garden during their visits and learning about all the produce grown there.  On behalf of the Eastmoor Community Garden Association, I thank WDH for the support.  Without the grant received, none of this would have been possible." Applications are open from 7 August to 22 September 2017. For more information click here.

The Old Quarry Adventure Playground (The Addy) has received funding from WDH to provide free food for kids during the Summer holidays. The group applied for a WDH Community Grant to give free lunch to children who attend play sessions at the Addy over the Summer. As children don’t receive free school meals in the holidays, the Addy aims to reduce the financial burden on parents and make sure that children eat properly over the Summer break. The group at the Addy will teach kids how to make their own meals and introduce new healthy snacks. Michelle Bartram, from The Addy said: "We are piloting the holiday lunches this Summer. In cooperation with WDH, Morrisons and the Knottingley Food Bank we can provide 40 free dinners a day for a total of 21 days. The pilot seems successful, kids love making their own food and it helps parents out too!” Claire Secker, Tenant Involvement Officer at WDH said: “WDH work closely with The Addy throughout the year and I was happy to assist and support the application for a WDH Community Grant.  This project has given the children something to do during the school holidays and also ensured they have had a healthy lunch.  During my visit to a session it was great to see children enjoying preparing and trying new food.”

Members of the Chinwag Club are delighted to be able to carry on with their activities thanks to a grant of £1500 from WDH.   The Club, for people over 50, meets every Monday afternoon at Balne Lane  Community Centre. The Club provides an opportunity for older people to make friends and keep active. The group play bingo, cards and do chair based exercises. They often organise guest speakers and people to teach a variety of crafts and activities. Violet Chaltone, one member of the Club said: "It can feel really lonely when you live on your own. I enjoy coming to the Club for company. This is my regular activity to look forward every week." Chris Croxall, Tenant Involvement Officer at WDH said: "The area needs more organisations like Chinwag Club. Some of the members are disabled or on low income and the Club gives them a chance to socialise. By coming together regularly it improves the quality of life and avoids isolation. " The grant will help them to pay towards the annual rent and the cost of running the Club. The club always welcomes new members. If you would like to join or know someone who would be interested, please contact Balne Lane Community Centre on 01924 373558. Applications for WDH Community Grant Scheme will be open again on 7 August 2017. For more information please visit http://www.wdh.co.uk/OurCommunities.

Members of the Eastmoor Community Garden in Wakefield will be taking part in art workshops in the new year thanks to a community grant from WDH which has enabled the group to buy materials and pay a sessional worker to lead the workshops.