Progress Housing Community Investment Fund

Background Information: Progress Housing Group (PHG) wish to support an organisation to deliver a community garden project in South Ribble, Lancashire.

What is the focus of the fund?: The project is aimed at upskilling and capacity building of local residents in the South Ribble area. Long term PHG wish for project beneficiaries to become involved in the delivery and maintenance of the garden resulting in improved health and well-being as well as volunteering opportunities. Additional benefits to support the overall sustainability of the project would include support to volunteers to form their own constituted group for them to take responsibility for the garden and secure future funding to ensure its sustainability.

There has been wide consultation with local tenants to identify a communal green space and concept boards have been used to involve local community members in the development of plans. The local tenants would like this communal green space to be developed as a multi-purpose space that can benefit all members of the community. It is located in Fox Lane, South Ribble, Lancashire and is approximately 250m2. Time has passed since the consultation was undertaken so applicants will be expected to undertake further consultation and evidence the results within the application. 

Who can apply?: This fund is targeted at all not for profit organisations based in Lancashire, or Merseyside organisations with a presence in Lancashire, that have the skills, experience and capacity to deliver this project

Key Project requirements:

• Structurally develop a community space that includes a range of different areas that addresses the needs of the community and positively improves the appearance of the local area. This will need to be a secure area in terms of the perimeter fencing which boarders PHG properties. 
• Work experience opportunities and a paid traineeship/placement for one PHG customer during the build of the area. The applicant would manage the traineeship/placement and we would suggest this is based on a set period. Eg. a 3 month paid work placement with the organisation. PHG would advertise this opportunity amongst their tenants but ideally would want it to be someone referred by their Progress Futures project.
• Recruitment and training of community volunteers to ensure sustainability of the project.
• Clear outcome plan which focusses on sustainability
• Development and upskilling of local residents, from local school children to older people living within the PHG Independent Living schemes. PHG wishes to provide capacity building courses from the area that bring benefits to all.
• A focus on health and wellbeing – the project to include food growing areas as well as sensory areas and linked activities that promote positive mental health.
• A programme of activities to combat social isolation and be delivered in partnership with community volunteers who can then go on to deliver the sessions independently. (Previous suggestions have included: general plant husbandry – sowing, caring, pests and diseases, taking cuttings etc, creating herb spirals, hanging basket workshops, edible flowers, wildlife gardening, increasing yield and container gardening, outdoor cook and eat session and composting).
• Intergenerational projects.
• Activities for individuals with learning difficulties.

How much is available?

There is approximately £23k available for this project

Criteria

Important - Before applying for funding, all applicants must read the full criteria before applying. 

Download Criteria

The closing date for applications is EXTENDED TO 14th June 2017.