Three organisations have been awarded a total of £4,800 following North Herts Council’s Hitchin and Letchworth Forum recommendations*.
North Hers Minority Ethnic Forum was awarded a grant of £2,000 to help the group fund a multicultural event to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the North Hertfordshire Minority Ethnic Forum and Black History Month.
The organisation provides valuable services to help improve the quality of life for the BME community in the district, from giving advice and guidance on housing, benefits, employment, training and health matters. They also run a range of skills development courses and activities.
Mohammed Alam, Director at the North Hertfordshire Minority Ethnic Forum, said: “We are very grateful to the North Herts Council for awarding this grant to us which will allow to celebrate our 25th Anniversary together with the Black History Month. This grant is vital as it will contribute to cover approximately 50% of the event cost.”
Strathmore Fun Club was awarded £1,100 to purchase additional equipment including toys, equipment and arts and craft materials to cover the costs of events and activities they run to keep the children who attend fun club fit, healthy and happy.
Strathmore Fun Club provides essential childcare for local families after school and during the school holidays.
Amanda Wright, Strathmore Fun Club Manager, said "It’s always exciting for the children when we get new toys and equipment for the club as it gives the children something new and fresh to do and enhances their development both physically and mentally. We are extremely grateful for the funding to do this.”
The Sadie Centre, formerly known as The Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living, received a grant from £850 from the Hitchin Area Forum and £850 from the Letchworth Area Forum to help fund the cost of a defibrillator and a cabinet to house it.
The centre aims to empower local people of all ages and backgrounds, providing them with tools and techniques to enable them to take responsibility for their own health. A wide range of activities are on offer, all designed to enhance wellness and wellbeing.
Jenny Flynn, Co-Director at The Sadie Centre said: “We are very grateful to North Herts Council for this community grant of £1700; we plan to install the defibrillator as soon as possible on the exterior of our classroom building. A recent emergency had been a stark reminder of the need to have this essential bit of kit on our site given the number of local people who regularly visit the Centre.”
Cllr Alistair Willoughby, Executive Member for Community & Partnerships, who approved the funding under delegated decision, said: “We are very happy to assist these three remarkable organisations that are making such a positive impact in the Hitchin and Letchworth communities. It is fantastic to play a part in supporting their important work.”
Cllr Ian Albert, Chair of Hitchin Area Forum, said: "These grants demonstrate the diversity of our community. Strathmore Fun Club provides vital childcare in Hitchin. The addition of a defibrillator at Sadie Centre could be life-saving.”
“I attended the 25th Anniversary celebration of North Herts Minority Ethnic Forum. The Forum demonstrated the importance of their community work in these uncertain and dangerous times, We have welcomed new residents from across the world into our District, some of whom have been forced to flee their own countries. The Forum has been instrumental in providing support, advice and help to many of those families".
More information on community grants
*subject to completion of the necessary formalities
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