Knowsley based housing association, Livv Housing Group, has awarded £49,463 of funding to 10 local organisations through its Livv in Your Community Grant Scheme. The initiative aims to support customers and communities with social isolation over the winter period and the cost of living.
Grants of up to £5,000 have been allocated to local voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations running projects and activities in the areas where Livv has the most homes.
These initiatives, including wellbeing events, breakfast drop-ins and lunch clubs, began in October and will run until March 2024.
Sharon Marsh, Executive Director of Customer Insight at Livv Housing Group, said: “Following the success of our Christmas Small Grant Scheme last year, Livv in Your Community will provide support for our customers and communities over the longer, colder months.
“Tackling social isolation and loneliness remains a key focus for Livv, and we know that the issue can be exacerbated over the winter. This, combined with cost of living worries can really affect people’s mental health and wellbeing.
“By partnering with local organisations, we’ve ensured that there are projects and activities running in all our neighbourhoods across the borough catering for different age groups and needs. We’ve also ensured people can access advice and financial support at these sessions through guest speakers, agencies and our own team.
“Livv is all about creating positive impact and we hope that the grant scheme will lend a helping hand to those who need it most.”
Events are taking place now across the borough.
Evolving Mindset is hosting weekly wellbeing events for the local community. Hot and cold meals will be provided as well as access to mental health education and cost of living support.
Halewood Youth Centre is offering informal and educational activities, such as sports, dance and drama, for children 8-11 and young people 12-18 living in the area. Similarly in Page Moss, the L14 Centre’s ‘Safer Together’ brings young people together to enjoy multi sports, dance, drama and arts and crafts. Refreshments and cost of living support are also available to parents and guardians.
To help combat social isolation, Innovate Volunteering is running weekly breakfast clubs in Huyton and Prescot, giving people the opportunity to come together to eat a hot breakfast and participate in keep fit activities.
For parents and carers, HomeStart Knowsley is running weekly coffee mornings in Kirkby and Swanside Community Centre is hosting breakfast drop-ins in Huyton. Swanside is also hosting fortnightly Sunday lunches for older residents.
Zumbini Café is Safari Kids Club’s initiative for Stockbridge residents with young children. The sessions give parents somewhere to go for advice, guidance and support, along with the provision of free food and drinks at the café.
Fortnightly lunch clubs are being held by Caring Connections for people over 60, whilst ‘Under One Roof’ at Centre 63 gives Kirkby residents the opportunity to drop in at lunchtime for a hot drink, soup and sandwich. A member of the Livv team will also be on hand to offer welfare and general housing support.
Finally, TS Partnership is hosting a weekly fish and chip lunch club in Prescot. This will support 100 people over the six-month period, specifically engaging with members of the community who are socially isolated and experiencing hardship in the current financial crisis.
Header image: Livv in Your Community grant scheme — Evolving Mindset Warm Winter Wednesdays.
