Before the Christmas break, we introduced our Christmas Small Grants Scheme to lend a helping hand to local voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations over the festive period.
We awarded a total of £34,100 to 20 local VCFSE’s. Grants varied from £200 to £3000, dependent on the size of the project, and covered the costs associated with food such as hampers, lunch clubs and Christmas meals.
The projects and activities benefited the people of Knowsley, including families who may be struggling, people living on their own, young people and school children.
Priority was given projects and activities that are operating in neighbourhoods where we have the most homes.
Here’s how our support helped to spread a little festive cheer…
The snow might’ve disrupted Huyton Initiative 4 Youth Activities’ plans to put on a Christmas parade but that didn’t stop them giving kids in the area the opportunity to meet Santa. Their elf volunteers also gave out selection boxes to all the families that attended.
Alchemic Kitchen threw a Christmas party down in Halewood for our older customers. They tucked in to a delicious homemade afternoon tea from Homebaked and took home a bag of fresh fruit and veg, as well as a ‘winter warm pack’ to keep them cosy over the holidays.
Evolving Mindset hosted their Christmas fair where young people who completed our Knowsley Young Minds project gave out hampers to families struggling over the Christmas period. The day also involved arts and craft and of course, a visit from Santa himself!
Volair hosted a Christmas party for residents in the Northwood area. Aimed at those who are socially isolated or in need of extra support, the day involved food and entertainment, as well as the opportunity for advice and further signposting for those who needed it.
Innovate Volunteering CIC delivered weekly warmer sessions in Prescot, Huyton and Roby throughout December with the aim of bringing local people together to reduce isolation and enjoy a hot meal.
The Lee Cooper Foundation worked with 20 young people to create and distribute hampers to families in Prescot. This included dry food, hygiene products, warm packs and information around local mental health support.
The L14 Community Centre in Huyton brought together 50 older people for a Christmas party. The day started with Christmas lunch followed by games and entertainment.
Explore Partnership CIC provided hampers to families across Knowsley with all the ingredients to make Christmas dinner without the worry.
Activate Body & Mind Community Activities invited parents and carers of children on free school meals from St Aidan’s Catholic Primary School in to offer advice and support, and hampers were provided.
Other activities we funded included:
- Friends of Molyneux Drive Woodland & Forestry Space created a ‘Winter Wonderland’ in Prescot and Whiston on 23 December where selection boxes, hot drinks and treats were handed out
- Active Foundation ran holiday camps from three primary schools across the borough. These included a food workshop and the provision of 160 hampers to support children and their families.
- Southdene Community Association provided a three-course Christmas meal on Christmas Day for 47 of our customers who were either isolated or financially struggling to hold their own Christmas
- Northwood Together, Halewood Youth in Community Centre and Home Start Knowsley provided food hampers to young people or disadvantaged families
- ME 2U in Kirkby brought the community together each week in December for a warm meal and a place to socialise
- Centre 63, Swanside Community Centre and Plan B all hosted their own Christmas dinner parties.
“Christmas can be a really challenging time of year as people try and juggle time and money to do their best for their families. For some, the cost-of-living crisis will have made it even more difficult, and we wanted to offer our support where we could.
Our customers and communities are our priority, and we hope that we helped to make things a little easier over the festive period.”