COMMUNITY FOUNDATION PUTS COMMUNITIES IN CHARGE

A large number of people in Calderdale are isolated and lonely according to a report from the Community Foundation for Calderdale, who have awarded a grant of £50,000 to the North Halifax Partnership to tackle the problem locally.

The grant will enable the North Halifax Partnership, and it’s delivery partners Hebden Bridge Community Association, Halifax Opportunities Trust and the Staying Well project, to develop activities that improve social opportunity and prevent loneliness and isolation in adults in Calderdale.

Emma Woods-Bolger who conducted the research said

“People who have active social lives tend to be healthier, happier and often see health improvements; thereby reducing the risk of isolation at an older age. However, it is estimated that over 24,000 residents in Calderdale are frequently experiencing isolation or loneliness.

“The Community Foundation exists to improve the lives of people in Calderdale, and we believe that putting local people at the heart of the decision making and importantly holding the budgets, is the best way to solve issues such as isolation and loneliness.”

The delivery partners will work directly with communities to set up representative panels in local areas who will decide how the money is to be allocated at a local level, for example by commissioning services or through the allocation of small grants.

Danielle Durrans, Chair of North Halifax Partnership said,

“Community-led commissioning is a proven, effective way of ensuring that every pound is spent wisely. Local people know what works in their communities, where the gaps are, and what we should be spending money on.

“This fund is for two years initially but will enable Staying Well to support and strengthen existing community groups to develop and sustain projects to meet the need locally, and we will be working with the Community Foundation for Calderdale and our partners to hopefully attract further money to sustain these local budgets in each area.”

Work has already started in each ward to develop community-led local steering groups with an aim for the fund to go live from April 2018.

If you would be interested in joining a community panel in your area, please contact stayingwellproject@calderdale.gov.uk

 

The Community Foundation For Calderdale is a philanthropic advisor to individual donors and local businesses, a strategic grantmaking Foundation and community leader. www.cffc.co.uk