A small group of our Spennymoor tenants and residents celebrated becoming officially registered as Inglesgarth Residents Social Group - giving them official status to apply for grants to widen the activities the group can offer to the community.
In recent months the group have met regularly at our warm space in Inglesgarth Court, Spennymoor. As well as offering the group a place to stay warm and get together regularly, it also sparked a partnership with our regeneration team adviser Louise Barbe.
Louise was able to support the group with the successful application process giving them the foundations to secure grants to help deliver a 12 month activity plan including trips away, events, and digital sessions working in partnership with Workers Education Association (WEA).
The lounge is much loved by locals and you can find them hosting bingo or games nights, with the lounge becoming a hive of activity after new members recently joined.
“I met Louise at one the Warm Space meetings and she’s really got the ball rolling for us. I’ve been part of the group for over 9 years where we've funded within the group. I know the lounge is crucial for the surrounding area as many of us are widowed or live on our own so it can be very isolating. The lounge is important in bringing us together" Gaynor (Tenant)
Our work and training support team, Livin Futures, recently helped three group members pass their food hygiene course, allowing them to start lunches making sure no ones eats alone and supporting their community with the rising costs of living.
“This is a fantastic group of people who want to come together to support each other and the neighbourhood in which they live. I am so pleased we have been able to help them and it’s a joy to see them working together to help create a stronger sustainable place in which to live." (Andy Coulthard, Community Regeneration Manager)
Find out about the support we can offer by contacting us by email at contactus@livin.co.uk or visit www.livin.co.uk/placemaking/place-based-projects/