Social integration projects receive funding

Local groups with new or existing projects to bring people from different backgrounds together have been selected to receive funding from Blackburn with Darwen’s ‘Our Community, Our Future’ programme.

The 22 successful projects will share around £68,500 of funding from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with new projects invited to bid for up to £2,000 and existing groups with plans to expand able to apply for up to £5,000.

Th chosen projects range from a Covid-friendly outdoor gym organised by The Billy Project, which offers funded gym sessions for disadvantaged and vulnerable women, to Arts 2 Heal, an organisations that provides arts-health focused activities for people with mental health issues or a history of self harm.

Cllr Mohammed Khan, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and chair of Our Community, Our Future board, said: ‘We received a total of 50 applications from a variety of groups across Blackburn with Darwen, with unique ideas and a genuine passion for uniting our local communities. Having used our social integration funding previously to offer small-scale grants to community groups and organisations, we recognise the powerful impact that projects in neighbourhoods can have.

‘They are a very valuable part of our social integration work and, as well as receiving funding, the 22 successful groups will have the support of the Our Community, Our Future team to develop their ideas and to make connections with other like-minded groups and individuals.

‘As we emerge from the Covid pandemic, which has caused isolation for so many, it’s vital that we empower people to come together again – and these projects will be a great way to do that.’

The successful projects have until 31 March 2022 to use their funding.

In related news, a new youth employment hub is open to Brighton & Hove residents under the age of 25, to support them in reaching education, employment, and training goals.

Photo by John Schnobrich