Housing fund gives Deckham project £2775 training boost

The award of £2775 from the housing company and its partners will enable the Route 26 Community Project to provide a training programme for members of its management committee on management skills and confidence-building exercises.

Route 26 Community Project, based at The Elgin Centre, Deckham, provide a community cafe that promotes healthy eating and the project also has a gym and a part-time sports development worker.

A number of local groups are also organised by the project, to bring together local residents with like-minded people. These include a men's group, a women's group and a parent and toddler group.

Marian Bailey, Chair of Route 26 Community Project, said: "We're very happy to receive this award as it will help us build on our work within the community.

"New volunteers join our management committee each year, many of them new to management.

"The training will enable the members to learn about decision-making and what is expected of them in their role at Route 26.

"These training courses can also give members the confidence to go on to further education and employment."

The Community Fund offers cash and in-kind awards from £500 to £10,000 to groups wanting to help improve the lives of people in the borough and has already made a number of donations to local groups.

The fund will support projects that:

• Improve the lives of young people and young adults

• Improve the lives of older residents

• Be environmentally friendly and help to make Gateshead a 'greener', more sustainable place to live

• Benefit a whole estate or neighbourhood by involving residents of all ages joining together to make a difference.

The company's partners Frank Haslam Milan (FHM) North East, Gateshead Council's Local Environmental Services and Morrison Facilities Services Limited are also supporting the fund.

Bill Fullen, Chief Executive of The Gateshead Housing Company, said: "As well as making over £1m a week of improvements to local homes, we want to do more to make Gateshead an even better place to live.

"Our community fund will allow hard-working groups like Route 26 Community Project to make a real difference to the lives of local people."

Vicky Carr, Resident Liaison Officer with FHM North East, said: "Training and up-skilling staff is vital within any organisation.  Through this donation we hope that Route 26 can further improve its service to customers."

The Community Foundation, which currently manages over £40m of charitable and community funds are administrating the fund on behalf of the housing company.

Find out more about The Gateshead Housing Company's Community Fund.