A new fund directed at Wirral's local community groups will help young people struggling with 'loneliness and isolation' in the borough.
Yesterday, Wirral Council announced that a new pot of funding had been awarded to over 50 community groups in the area. The cash will be given to groups of faith like Church at the Cross Birkenhead, to health charities such as the Neuromuscular Centre and youth support groups like the National Youth Advocacy Service.
Depending on their application, the 51 groups will all receive a share of up to £50,000 of the £1.5m fund, which was sourced by the government's Contain Outbreak Management Fund given to councils to help deal with the effects of Covid. The council said that though the grant fund was oversubscribed, the majority of applications were successful.
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The chief executive of the Birkenhead-based National Youth Advisory Service, Rita Waters, said: “Nearly everyone has found the last few years tough, but the pandemic has made matters worse for young people leaving the care system, as many already struggled with loneliness and isolation as they moved into adulthood.
"The £17,555 awarded for our Side by Side project will make a big difference to 10 young people from across Wirral, giving them a dedicated mentor who will provide practical and emotional support and help them build the skills they need to live independent lives.”
The highest awarded amounts of the fund went to Bebington District Scout Council (£50,000), the Carrbridge Centre Ltd (£50,000), Crea8ing Community (£50,000), Wirral Deen Centre (£50,000) and WEB Merseyside (£49,960.00).
Mark Camborne, Wirral Council’s Assistant Director for Neighbourhood Safety & Transport, said: “Wirral’s CVF groups have been incredible throughout the pandemic. Whether it was collecting essential shopping, delivering medication, or helping people to feel less isolated, they have done so much to get people through some very difficult times.
“This funding will allow those groups to strengthen their own organisations and help us to revitalise communities as we recover from the pandemic, providing much-needed services that connect people, build confidence, and encourage participation.”
