North Herts Council gives £8,477 to six Letchworth groups: brain injury support, teen resilience coaches, over-50s dance, addiction help, a fox fence and a gate.
Six Letchworth groups are sharing £8,477 from North Herts Council, from a brain injury support group and a teenage mental health charity to a bowls club that needs a fence to keep the foxes off its green.
The grants were recommended by the council’s Letchworth Community Forum on 7 October and then approved by Councillor Daniel Allen, the council’s Executive Member for Governance, the council said in a press release on 22 October.
| Project | Grant | What it pays for |
|---|---|---|
| Jackmans Community Association | £1,987 | A new back gate at Jackmans Community Centre |
| Resolve | £1,500 | A key worker for group therapy and key work sessions |
| Whitethorn Bowls Club | £1,500 | A metal mesh fence around the bowling green |
| Growing Resilience in Teens (GRIT) | £1,200 | Training for its coaches |
| Saracens Sport Foundation | £1,190 | Dance classes for over-50s |
| Headway Hertfordshire | £1,100 | Running costs of a fortnightly peer support group |
Peer support for people with brain injuries
Headway Hertfordshire gets £1,100 towards the running costs of its fortnightly peer support group, where people living with brain injuries and their carers can share experiences, feel less isolated and get support close to home, the council says.
John Archer, the charity’s chief executive, said:
“We’re so grateful for the generous contribution made by North Herts Council in support of our peer support group that meets in the Salvation Army Hall in Letchworth.
“Headway Hertfordshire run this group for the benefit of residents who have been affected by a brain injury as part of our service to help them recover, move on, and socialise with others. The funds will enable us to run the group and provide stimulating art and craft sessions, which are well liked by all who attend.”
Coaches for teenagers’ mental health
Growing Resilience in Teens, known as GRIT, has been given £1,200 to train its coaches. The council says the training will let the charity support more young people from Letchworth and the surrounding area who are struggling with their mental health, confidence and resilience.
Rebecca Kelly, GRIT’s chief executive, said:
“We’re incredibly grateful to North Herts Council for supporting Growing Resilience in Teens (GRIT) and recognising the importance of early intervention for young people’s mental health and wellbeing. This funding will help us invest in the training and development of our team, ensuring we continue to provide high-quality, safe, and effective support for young people.”
Dance classes for over-50s
Saracens Sport Foundation receives £1,190 for dance classes designed for people over 50. The council says the classes help older residents stay active, improve their wellbeing and make connections, which will help reduce loneliness and isolation.
Key worker for addiction recovery
Resolve has been granted £1,500 towards the cost of a key worker who will run its group therapy and key work sessions, helping people affected by drug and alcohol misuse get personalised support towards recovery. The same charity was given £500 by the council’s Royston forum earlier this month, which we reported here.
Gary Sutcliffe, Resolve’s head of income, communications and impact, said:
“We’re so grateful to Letchworth Community Forum for this £1,500 grant. Our kind and compassionate key workers make a real and tangible difference to the lives of local people so this valuable support towards our vital service, supporting and helping those in the grip of alcohol or drug misuse on a road to recovery, is very much appreciated.”
A fence against foxes, and a new gate
Whitethorn Bowls Club gets £1,500 towards a metal mesh fence around its green. The council says the fence will stop damage caused by foxes and protect a community sports facility that residents use throughout the bowling season.
The biggest single grant, £1,987, goes to Jackmans Community Association to replace the back gate at Jackmans Community Centre. The council says the new gate will improve security at a popular venue that hosts activities and events for residents.
Councillor Allen said:
“These community grants will unite people by making services and activities easier to access locally. Our communities are at their best when people and organisations work collectively.
“I’m proud that we can support these wonderful local groups in Letchworth to make it a more cohesive, healthier, and inclusive place for everyone.”
What it means for you
- Living with a brain injury, or caring for someone who is? Headway Hertfordshire’s peer support group meets fortnightly at the Salvation Army Hall in Letchworth.
- Worried about drink or drugs? Resolve runs group therapy and one-to-one key work sessions for people working towards recovery.
- Running a group in North Herts? The council’s area forums take grant applications; eligibility and criteria are on its community grants page. Stevenage groups can also look at the borough’s green grants of £7,500 per ward.
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