First birthday celebrations for Heart of Blyth

22 Mar 2023 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

Dignitaries and members of the community gathered today (22 March 2023) to celebrate the first birthday of The Heart of Blyth project, which works to create a stronger community in the town.      

Residents, organisations and local businesses attended the drop-in event which took place in the Project Space and Community Hub at Blyth’s Keel Row Shopping Centre.   

The Heart of Blyth project is funded through the Health Foundation and Local Government Association grant programme – Shaping Places for Healthier Lives. The scheme aims to create the conditions for better health by funding local partnerships to take system-wide action on the wider determinants of health.    

Joining in the celebrations were local organisations who had benefited from the Heart of Blyth Microgrants, where up to £3000 is available for residents’ ideas which meet the overall broad aims of the project.  

Gill O’Neill, Director of Public Health at Northumberland County Council, said: “I am delighted to have been involved today.  It has been fantastic to meet some of the recipients of the microgrants and hear all about their groups. 

“The Heart of Blyth project helps people work together to strengthen the community by building on the work already done here in Blyth, so it has been lovely hearing about that hard work first hand. 

“The project is all about strengthening relationships, bringing diverse groups together, building connections and sharing skills and knowledge to help improve the area.  The people we have met today are making that ambition into a reality.”  

Cllr Wendy Pattison, cabinet member for Adult Wellbeing at Northumberland County Council, said: “There is so much great work happening in Blyth, it has been an absolute pleasure meeting some of the people involved. 

“The Heart of Blyth is an important project that is making the most of Blyth's strengths by building on and celebrating what is already here.   

“It sees the ideas of residents becoming a reality. We are here to give a helping hand in making that happen, building on the ideas and contribution of residents and working with organisations in Blyth.  

“Today has been a great opportunity to spread the word about everything that is happening in Blyth, and for people to come along, get involved and join the celebrations.”    

Any residents, or organisations working in Blyth, who would like to get involved can email Heartofblyth@northumberland.gov.uk