Local residents on the Colshaw Farm Estate will benefit from a £100,000 Big Lottery award aimed at improving their health and wellbeing.
Funding is for a two year project working with community groups and local organisations, such as Riverside Housing, The Open Arms Youth Project, Oakenclough Children's Centre, Youth Services, Age UK, Colshaw Resident's Group - CETRA and Wilmslow Local Area Partnership, addressing issues highlighted by residents.
Local people of all ages will be provided with facilities, resources, services and opportunities aimed at empowering them as a community, reducing isolation and improving lifestyles, health, wellbeing, skills and employability.
Residents and local organisations participating in the project will gain opportunities for employment and volunteering. Activities including exercise classes, healthy cookery courses, weaning workshops, IT skills sessions, job related qualifications and training, budgeting and debt advice will be available.
The grant is part of a two year, £1.8 million wellbeing programme supporting 19 health improvement projects across the North West.
Cheshire East Council's Health Improvement Team won the bid following the success of the "Down To Earth" project; a four year initiative helping to improve the health of over 2500 residents across the North of Cheshire East.
The Cheshire East Council's Health Improvement Team are delighted to be able to build on the success of "Down To Earth" and aim to make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of the Colshaw Farm Estate community.
Sharon Thomas, Riverside's Community Projects Supervisor said "This is fantastic news for our tenants and residents. It will give everyone in the community an opportunity to get involved in a variety of different ways which will be beneficial not just for now but for many years in the future."
A fun-packed community event is being held at the Open Arms on Saturday 20th July to launch the Well Beings project. There will be a range of free activities for all ages, information stands, a BBQ and information about the project will be available. Organisers will also be recruiting volunteers and letting people know about how they can be involved in the project.
Riverside Housing will be holding a clean-up session and consultation to get local views about the Valley on Blackden Walk from 10am-12pm on Saturday 20th July. People should bring their wellies and come along expecting to get plenty of exercise and have fun!
This will be followed by the community event which will take place from 12pm to 4pm at the Open Arms, Howty Close, Colshaw Farm.
