Groups who have submitted funding bids to deliver community projects in three Wirral areas will be asked to talk through their ideas to residents and ask for their vote at a series of community events in the coming weeks.
The groups operating within Wirral’s three EVOLVE areas – Woodchurch, Noctorum and Beechwood – submitted their applications before Christmas for funding of up to £2,000 that they hope to use to deliver their idea.
Successful projects must focus on one or more themes of community resilience, environmental issues, health and wellbeing, reducing or preventing crime and/or anti-social behaviour, and youth engagement/intervention. Shortlisted bidders will get to ‘pitch’ their ideas to local people in each of the three areas in a hope of getting their vote to receive the funding.
The first event takes place at the Carrbridge Community Centre, Carrbridge Road, Woodchurch on Saturday 20th January, between 1pm and 4pm. Apart from listening to the groups’ ideas and voting on their favourite project by 3pm, their vote entitles them to enter to a free prize draw, which will take place between 3.30pm and 4pm. There will also be free refreshments and snacks available to those who attend.
There will also be activities taking place on the day, including arts and crafts, board games and face painting.
There will be more of the same at Crea8ing Community in Noctorum on Saturday 27th January, again between 1pm and 4pm. Crea8ing Community is based on the site of the Co-op Academy Hillside Primary on Ridgeway Road.
The third event takes place at the Beechwood Recreation Centre, Beechwood Drive on Saturday 3rd February between 1pm and 4pm.
EVOLVE Wirral is part of a multi-agency partnership to address issues in areas of Merseyside most affected by incidents of serious and organised crime. EVOLVE uses a combination of targeted policing tactics alongside activity from partners and input from residents to protect communities and ultimately prevent organised crime groups from operating.
The grants available in Woodchurch, Beechwood or Noctorum could be used to fund ideas such as staging an environmental action day, providing activities for young people, or holding an event that brings the whole community together to build trust and positivity in the area.
Bidding groups do not have to be based in one of the three areas covered by EVOLVE Wirral, but their project must be delivered in one or more of these areas.
For further information, please email engage@wirral.gov.uk
Cllr Helen Cameron, Chair of the Tourism, Communities, Culture and Leisure Committee for Wirral Council, said:
“The council’s focus within EVOLVE Wirral is to support and strengthen these communities, building confidence amongst residents that agencies like Merseyside Police, Wirral Council and partners are committed to taking action against the kind of organised crime that is causing serious harm to their quality of life.
“The majority of residents are honest, law-abiding people and they deserve to be able to live in an area that is safe and not overshadowed by serious organised crime.
“The funding being provided under this small grants scheme will hopefully enable groups who are committed to doing good in their local area to deliver a project or event which makes a difference and demonstrates that, together, the community is stronger.”