Do you want to get involved in improving your local community?
Got a good idea for a community project but need some funding or extra help to make it happen?
If the answer is ‘yes’ then the Haverhill Partnership wants to hear from you. The Partnership is attended by Town, Borough and County councillors, officers from public sector organisations, representatives from local voluntary and community groups and local businesses. We are working together to give local people more of a say in decisions that affect them and an opportunity to help solve problems and issues in their area.
Earlier this year members of the Partnership spoke to many groups and individuals living, working and going to school in Haverhill about the things they would like to see improved in the town. Lots of different issues were raised but some things came up more often. We used these findings, along with other information, to agree our local priorities for action.
The Partnership has £75,000 of funding available from Suffolk County Council to award for ideas that can help deliver the following:
• More activities and things to do – all age groups wanted a broader range of sports and leisure activities to get involved in and there was support for events that encouraged people of different ages and backgrounds to mix. People running local sports and community groups also said they wanted more help and support with the day-to-day running of their groups.
• Improving the welfare of older people – in particular increasing older people’s independence, making them feel less vulnerable and increasing awareness of the services available to them.
• Improving the appearance of residential areas and the town centre – many people identified particular parts of the town where they felt the appearance could be improved, including residential areas and the town centre. People also felt that the parks could be improved to encourage greater use.
• Places to go – all age groups identified the need for a place for young people to go and meet with their friends. There were also issues around the opening hours and locations of community facilities – how can we make better use of existing facilities?
If you have a project that requires funding that would help us deliver improvements in these areas, then the Haverhill Partnership would like to hear from you. If you have an idea you think may work, there is support available to help you develop your idea into a project. At this stage all you have to do is write down your idea in up to 100 words, telling us how your idea will help to improve your local community.
All the projects will be considered and if successful, allocated the money by the end of March 2010. If demand for funding exceeds the £75,000 available, the public will be asked to vote for their favourite projects.
The deadline for submitting ideas is 6 January 2010. Please send your ideas and contact details by post to Alison Wheatland, Suffolk County Council, Freepost NAT 18364, Ipswich, IP1 2BR; or by email to Alison.Wheatland@suffolk.gov.uk; or hand them in to reception at the Haverhill Arts Centre.
