Forty-two local organisations have been awarded funding to deliver community projects ranging from afro hairdressing training, educational workshops in schools, community events and maternity support for women from refugee or asylum seeker communities.
Plymouth City Council recently invited individuals and groups to apply for a grant to address the public disorder that happened in the summer. Successful applications have included initiatives to understand the causes of the disorder to enable the city to move forward together and increase community cohesion, ensuring everyone feels safe and welcomed in the city.
Following the riots in the summer, the Government awarded Plymouth City Council £600k to support communities that were impacted. Over 100 applications were received, with the funding being awarded to 42 organisations, including over £80,000 to six projects that are working collaboratively to deliver a range of initiatives for children, young people, and schools.
Awards of up to £4,000 have been made to 30 grass root organisations including a group of young people from Hele’s School – who applied for the grant so they can work with a local artist to create a mural promoting diversity.
Other successful applications include:
- CH Afro Hair Training Academy – who will be recruiting an additional teacher to help provide training and increase the number of specialist hairdressers across the city.
- Cameroonians in Plymouth – who will use the funding to hold events and community outreach work to promote awareness and build bridges with other minority groups across the city.
- Nigerian Muslim Forum UK (Plymouth) – who will use the funding to organise a community feast during Ramadan for low-income families.
- African Delight – the local restaurant will offer classes that team the local community how to prepare delicious meals.
- Sisters Talk Foundation – who will provide free or low cost personal and professional development workshops for women from low-income or unrepresented backgrounds.
- Open Kamera CIC – founded by Polish creatives, the will hold a photography project, a four month initiative to strengthen community cohesion and celebrate Plymouth’s cultural diversity.
- 7th Plymouth Scouts Group – who will create a hardship fund to support families in need and launch a Squirrels program for children aged 4-5 to grow group capacity, recruit and train new parent volunteers, and implement a promotional campaign to raise awareness about scouting's benefits in the community specifically targeted diverse communities.
Councillor Sally Haydon, Plymouth City Council Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: “We have had a fantastic response to this funding programme. I have been overwhelmed not just by the number of applications from grass roots organisations, but the high quality of submissions.
“It is amazing that Plymouth has such a wide number of groups and organisations so enthusiastic to deliver projects and activities that aim to celebrate diversity, encourage community cohesion, focus on education and awareness and bringing people together to understand different cultures. It is a testament to our city.
Councillor Chris Penberthy, Plymouth City Council Cabinet Member for Communities, added: “I, like very many Plymothians, believe the true spirit of Plymouth should be one based on acceptance, welcoming everyone to our great city. These local groups and organisations will now be able to use this funding to help us strengthen our communities and build a city that is united, accepting and most of all tolerant of everyone.”
To see the full list of organisations who will be receiving grants, go to: www.plymouth.gov.uk/community-recovery-fund