North Herts Council’s Hitchin committee award over £3,000 to community groups

North Herts Council’s Hitchin Committee awarded grants to three community groups in Hitchin at its meeting on 28 June.* These particular grants are designed to help organisations by supporting specific projects, rather than everyday expenditure.

Back2Schoolival CIC was awarded £1,035 to support the creation of volunteering / work experience opportunities for local students in North Herts in fields such as journalism, photography and social media / marketing. The group will deliver a series of workshops over the summer. There will be 90 places available for students between the ages of 16-21 who live in the district and who are already studying in fields such as English (journalism) or the arts (photography or videography) so they can build on what they have learned in school and transfer these skills into a real-life setting.

Adam Howard, Founder of Back2Schoolival CICsaid: “Back2Schoolival CIC is delighted to have received this funding from the council and thank the committee for their approval. By offering these real life working opportunities the participants will come away a clear path for their career, someone to act as a mentor and support to find further opportunities. We are excited to see where this project, with the support of NHC, can go.”

Hitchin Fun Club was awarded £1,100 to help cover the cost of its annual summer holiday club. The grant will be used to purchase additional equipment including scooters, trikes and helmets, outdoor play equipment and arts and craft materials. The funds will also be used to take the children on trips or visits during the holiday club. Hitchin Fun Club provides essential childcare for local families over the summer, when children are off school, but many parents still need to work.

Lisa King, Treasurer at Hitchin Fun Club said "We are extremely happy for Hitchin Fun Club to have been awarded this money. It will go towards some much needed new toys and games, which will be greatly beneficial for the children".

The Creative Mental Health Charity PoetsIN was awarded £1,000 to deliver ten one-hour wellbeing workshops to schools in Hitchin. The workshops which are fun, informative and interactive will leave the participants armed with tools to manage anxiety, worry, stress and wellbeing. Each workshop can accommodate up to 30 participants, so 300 children, young people and adults will benefit and be provided with a selection of tools to help manage mental health for life. The plan is for the workshops to commence as soon as possible, with some being delivered before the end of the summer term and the remainder in the autumn term.

Paul Chambers, Co-Founder and COO, said: "As someone who struggled with undiagnosed mental health illnesses as a child, this grant means the world to me personally and to my charity. Showing people of all ages how to manage their wellbeing, in easy yet effective ways, and all in my favourite town is incredible - thank you"

Cllr Ian Albert, Chair of Hitchin Committee said: “The Committee was delighted to award these grants, which will support the wellbeing of young people in Hitchin, provide valuable work experience opportunities and fun over the holidays for kids on their summer break.”

More information: Community grants

*subject to completion of necessary formalities