Groups funded - May 2010
1) Kidzone
This organisation has been running activities for about 8 years in some of the most deprived areas in Brighton, including the Hollingdean area. They run stimulating and creative workshops and activities during the holidays for children who face isolation, deprivation and poverty. The project they have been funded for is a cookery project in Hollingdean where children, as well as their parents/carers, will have the opportunity to learn this important and life enhancing skill.
Funded: £1,340; Beneficiaries 40+
2) Sussex Coast Endometriosis support group
The project was set up by women who suffer from severe endometriosis themselves and want to support other women and their families. The group started in March 2010 and they hold bi monthly meetings which they want to increase to monthly meetings. During these support meetings, which are based in Hove, they provide information about the disease, its treatment and how to manage it. They will have guest speakers and they will run workshops on activities that can help to ease women’s suffering and isolation.
Funded: £1,000; Beneficiaries 50-100 over the first year
3) North Portslade Community Allotment group
This group has been running in North Portslade area for many years. The group is made up of residents who have two neighbouring plots at the Mile Oak allotments. The group consists of mainly parents and by participating in the various activities at the allotment they learn new skills, as well as their children, in a safe environment. With the funding provided they will build a polytunnel which will allow them to grow food that needs sheltering and to help them to grow more and better produce as well. It will also allow the groups members to continue to work even if the weather is bad.
Funded: £624; Beneficiaries 30+ (excluding children)
4) Hollingbury TRA- Hollingberries Project
This project was formed as a result of feedback from the Hollingbury community that very little engagement work is done with members of the community who are over 50 and who often feel isolated. The project started early this year with various activities such as boccia and the showing of afternoon films. They meet weekly and with the funding they would like to start gentle exercise classes as well as trying other forms of exercise in the future.
Funded: £990 Beneficiaries: 20+
5) Kopano FC
This group started about 3 years ago and was formed in response to the obvious lack of multi- ethnic, multi- cultural football teams that people could join in the Sussex Football leagues. With the funding they are now going to develop their Inclusive Community Coaching Club where they will aim to bring a team of young BME, hard to reach, economically disadvantaged young men, aged 16 years and upwards to engage in a training programme. The aim of this programme is to give the young men a route to career development through sports. Through encouragement, support and through addressing issues of isolation and self esteem, they want to encourage members to become qualified coaches who will help Kopano FC become sustainable and help them to expand the age and gender groups.
Funded: £750 Beneficiaries: 150
6) Brighton and Hove Breathe Easy singing group
The group was set up in 2007 and expanded to form two groups, one in Brighton and one in Hove due to the increase in demand for such activities. The group members all have health issues due to lung diseases and have found that singing helps to improve their lung function, breathing technique, posture and overall wellbeing. It also helps them out of isolation which often happens as a result of their health. This group is the first of its kind in England and is very well attended. The group got funding to pay for the pianist that accompanies the singing as it encourages the members to sing louder which in turn helps them to exercise their lungs more.
Funded: £1,500 Beneficiaries: 30-60
7) Five Deans U3A (University of the 3rd Age)
This group consist of older people who are no longer in employment and will provide an educational, creative and leisure opportunity in a friendly environment. The emphasis is on learning with enjoyment. All the members live in either in Woodingdean, Saltdean, Rottingdean, Ovingdean or Roedean area neighbourhoods (5dean area). It’s a self help organisation completely independent from the other U3A’s. They have monthly meetings where they invite guest speakers to come along and lead informative sessions. They also have approximately 15 sub groups for activities such as Art, History, Calligraphy, and Music. The smaller groups usually meet in halls or at people’s houses. With the funding they received they now want to add a regular gentle exercise class to help improve their fitness and their overall health and wellbeing.
Funded: £1,100 Beneficiaries: 110+
