Posted on 30th Jun
Communities and businesses are seeing the benefits of a series of projects funded by Newark and Sherwood District Council.
They are aimed at improving skills, supporting businesses and providing new and exciting opportunities for residents as part of the first year of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
In December, the council secured £3.29m of central government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund to provide support to communities and businesses over a three-year period.
A further £891,000 of capital funding through the Rural England Prosperity Fund was confirmed for the district in April to address local challenges and opportunities for rural areas.
Coun Paul Peacock, council leader, said: “It’s brilliant seeing all of the great projects and programmes we’ve been able to support with UK Shared Prosperity Funding and the difference it is making to local communities and to businesses.
“These programmes have provided opportunities for our residents to learn new skills, improve local Green spaces, grow their business, and help with challenges related to the cost-of-living crisis.”
More than 150 residents across the district participated in projects focusing on volunteering and achieving new skills, funded by the council and led by partners including Newark and Sherwood CVS, Volunteer it Yourself and YMCA Newark and Sherwood.
This included the expansion of the Door 2 Door service (above), the launch of an Adventure Guides programme (top) encouraging local communities to improve Green spaces while learning new skills, and the creation of an outdoor garden and learning space at Newark Orchard school.
The council also worked with food clubs and the Citizens Advice Bureau as part of the response to the cost-of-living crisis. During a three-month period, more than 800 residents accessed support through UKSPF-funded initiatives that aim to combat food and fuel poverty.
A volunteer at Edwinstowe Food Hub said: “The support we’ve been able to provide thanks to Newark and Sherwood District Council and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund has been incredibly important.
“With this support we have been able to continue to help the people in Edwinstowe in need due to the cost of living. It’s been a real benefit to the local community in Edwinstowe.”
In addition to community initiatives, retail businesses were able to benefit from the Business Resilience and Growth Programme with expert advice through a series of one-to-one mentoring sessions, training opportunities, and access to grant funding.
Throughout the next two years, the council and local organisations will deliver a variety of projects to support the growth of businesses and communities in Newark and Sherwood.
For more information regarding current UKSPF and REPF projects, as well as future funding opportunities for local organisations, visit www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/spf
Coun Peacock added: “I look forward to seeing even more projects that will benefit our local communities in the coming years.”
