Newcastle’s Labour-led council is opening a new £1.35 million community fund to support local organisations and improve neighbourhoods across the north and west of the city.
Communities across Newcastle’s Outer West are among those eligible to benefit, including Throckley, Newburn Riverside, Lemington, Newbiggin Hall and West Denton, while nearby Slatyford is also included in the wider west Newcastle programme.
Community organisations serving these neighbourhoods are being encouraged to come forward with ideas for projects that will make a practical difference to local residents.
The Local Community Partnership Fund is being administered by Newcastle City Council and will invest in projects that bring people together, strengthen voluntary and community organisations and improve the places where residents live.
Labour wants local people and organisations to play a central role in deciding how investment is used in their communities, ensuring projects respond to priorities identified by residents themselves.
A total of £950,000 is available to support revenue projects involving volunteering, while a further £400,000 will support capital projects that create or improve community spaces.
Voluntary and community organisations and social enterprises working in eligible neighbourhoods can put forward proposals. Projects could include improvements to community buildings, initiatives to tackle isolation, activities that bring residents together and schemes designed to reduce anti-social behaviour.
The £1.35 million programme is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with the North of Tyne Combined Authority acting as lead authority and Newcastle’s Labour-led council administering the programme locally.
The full list of communities eligible for support is Blakelaw, Brunswick Village, Cowgate, Fawdon, part of Fenham, Havannah Park, Kenton, Lemington, Newbiggin Hall, Newburn Riverside, Oakwood Grange, Slatyford, Throckley and West Denton.
Cllr Alex Hay, Newcastle City Council’s Labour Cabinet Member for a Thriving City, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for community projects in the north and west of the city to get funding that will bring people together and tackle some of the biggest issues that residents face.
“Whether it’s providing safe spaces for people to meet, tackling isolation among older residents, repairing or improving community buildings or reducing anti-social behaviour, we want to hear residents’ ideas for improving their communities.
“We’re committed to providing inclusive, healthy and vibrant neighbourhoods where everyone can thrive, and I look forward to seeing the difference this funding will make.”
Newcastle Labour is encouraging organisations across the eligible Outer West communities to put forward their ideas and make sure their neighbourhoods benefit from the investment available.