Community funded projects from across Blackburn with Darwen got together for a special recovery event, celebrating the great work made possible by the Community Asset Fund.
Organised by the Spark recovery collaborative, which includes Community CVS, the Community Asset Fund provides a vital lifeline for recovery projects in the borough by providing grants between £500 and £2000.
Miffy Clegg, Senior Project Co-ordinator at Community CVS, said: “We support projects born out of passion. From this event, we’re looking to expand and show how important these projects are to the recovery community”.
She continued: “We’re here to generate pledges for money, time and essential items. Any pledge big or small can make a big difference to the community”.
Held at St Luke’s Church, the event drew in more than 100 professionals and service users. The ‘Roots Community Forum’ is held every month as a way for like-minded people in recovery to get together, meet new people and share inspiring stories.
Many projects who have been helped by the funding were in attendance, including: Offload North West Man Hub, Secret Santa Blackburn, Phoenix Hub, Shad Chefs Man Hub, Shad Chef Women’s Hub, Project Arise, Just Run for Today, Darwen Community Drum Circle and more.
Councillor Brian Taylor, Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, attended the event. Addressing everyone in a speech, he said: “Blackburn with Darwen would undoubtedly be a poorer place without this contribution”.
Helping the community one project at a time
In addition to groups accessing financial support through the Community Asset Fund grants pot, Community CVS help newly funded groups with policies, procedures and bank accounts.They also give essential access to volunteers, volunteer management and quality standards training.
Steve Foden, Project Lead from Community CVS, explained: “The support the Asset Fund offers not only gives groups a valuable financial step up the ladder, but invests time and support in the sustainability of these groups to help them keep going”.
Craig, one of the team leaders at Red Rose Recovery who received funding for the ‘Roots Community Guerilla Gardening’ project, said: “I want to show our gratitude for the asset fund and all the help they’ve given us. We’re truly grateful for it all”.
Steve from CVS continued: “Both Community CVS and the Community Asset Fund are important because it’s all about seeing and giving people the opportunity to grow and flourish. It also capitalises on the experience and passion that people can bring from within the community and their own personal life experiences.”
Community CVS follow the motto of ‘it’s about supporting life recovery’ and this event showcases the power they have to make the community a better place.
Joanna Clarke, Service Manager at Spark, added: “At Spark, we’re committed to exploring how we can grow our Community Asset fund within Blackburn with Darwen. The purpose of the day was to highlight the impact of the fund and to reach out to wider stakeholders in the local area to consider how they can contribute to our projects. We welcome anyone to get in touch if they would like to get involved.”
If anyone is interested in how they can contribute or pledge to our fund, please get in touch jclarke@delphimedical.co.uk