Council cash for Ashington and Blyth community groups

11 Jun 2019 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

Community groups in Ashington and Blyth have been recognised for the work they do in their local community. 

The groups were awarded a grant from the Community Chest, run by Northumberland County Council, and were presented with a certificate at their local area council meeting at the YMCA, Ashington.

The scheme awards grants of up to £5,000 to support community groups and organisations county-wide. The funding can help with costs by issuing 75% of the total amount required, towards equipment for community group activities and sports, venue refurbishments, transport facilities and much more.

More than 1,500 projects have benefited from £2.8 million in grants since 2009, which has contributed or helped towards £20 million worth of projects within Northumberland. 

One such group which has benefited from Community Chest funding is Newbiggin Heritage Partnership who was represented by their Director, Sheila Harrison.

She said: “Thanks to this very kind funding, it’s the third beach wheelchair we have in Newbiggin and we’ve been working with BANE (Beach Access North East) and the idea is to make the whole of the North East coast accessible for all.

“So far we have beach wheelchairs at Blyth, Tynemouth and Newbiggin so we still have a long way to go up the coast to go. They are free to hire and it means a whole family can go onto the beach, one parent doesn’t have to wait with one child, they enjoy a family day together, you can even go into the sea.”

Other community groups in attendance included; Newbiggin Heritage Partnership, WATBUS, Beach Access North East, Ashington Sea Cadets Corps, Newbiggin Traders Association, YMCA Northumberland, Friends of LV50, Headway Arts, 1st Woodhorn Rainbows, Blyth Battery Volunteers Ltd and Ashington Panto Group.

Cllr Nick Oliver, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services at Northumberland County Council, said: “The Community Chest Fund is a fantastic opportunity for local community groups and organisations to enhance their services which will ultimately benefit the local community. 

“The scheme contributes to achieving our ambition for Northumberland, which is to support voluntary and community groups and organisations to deliver activities to maintain and create sustainable communities.”

For more information about the Community Chest Scheme click here or email: communitychest@northumberland.gov.uk