Our ‘Livv in Your Community’ Grant Scheme is back for a second consecutive year. This winter, we’ve awarded over £70,000 to 14 local organisations to support community-led projects that reduce social isolation and help ease cost of living pressures.
Grants of up to £6,000 have been awarded to local voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations that are running projects in areas including Prescot, Whiston, Huyton, Kirkby and Halewood.
Projects vary; from weekly lunch clubs to community wellbeing events, and are focused on promoting social inclusion, financial resilience, health and wellbeing, and youth activities.
Running until March 2025, our grant scheme is expected to provide vital support to over 1,300 people across Knowsley throughout the winter season.
Funded organisations include Centre 63 in Kirkby, which is organising breakfast sessions, cooking classes and offsite trips for families. Innovate Volunteering is running drop-in brunch clubs in Huyton and Prescot, with signposting to other local groups and support services.
HAF Parents is holding weekly social clubs in Halewood, providing lunch, activities and information sessions for parents and carers. Meanwhile in Page Moss, L14 Community House is organising an array of clubs for different age groups, including children, teenagers, single parents, pensioners and families.
‘Wellbeing Wednesdays’ will be taking place each week at Evolving Mindset in Prescot, with hot and cold meals, fun activities and professional mental health support on hand. For Huyton, Knowsley Disability Concern is providing a safe, warm space every fortnight for residents to lunch and access community resources.
Lunch clubs are being held by several of our customer groups at our Inspired Living schemes, including Fairhaven Residents Association, Southdene Community Association and Friends of Eaton Street, creating friendly and welcoming hubs that bring people together.
For young people, Apollo Active in Halewood is running weekly sports sessions, including American football and athletics, while Clockwork Studios is providing creative workshops and mental health support for those aged 11-17 in Prescot.
Other initiatives include Merseyside Housing Debt Advice’s ‘Together We Thrive’, which is reducing isolation and enhancing personal wellbeing through interactive workshops and group activities in Halewood.
Friends of Halsnead Allotments in Whiston is hosting a weekly pensioners group and men’s wellbeing group. And to support with men’s mental and physical health, Towerhill Community Hub is running its ‘Soul Brothers’ boxing and wellbeing sessions in Kirkby.
Our communities are home to incredible local organisations that work tirelessly to support our customers and those who need it most. Through our Livv in Your Community Grant Scheme, we’re able to help these groups go even further by supporting projects that tackle social isolation, create warm and welcoming spaces, provide hot meals, offer access to essential advice and support, and create opportunities for people of all ages.
“With even more applications this year following last year’s success, it’s clear that there’s an ongoing need for this support. As a housing association, we’re deeply rooted in the communities that we operate, and we hope our grant funding will make a real difference and bring a smile to those who need it most over the longer, colder months.