Aspire Ryde are celebrating this week after receiving a staggering £39,880 in funding – money which has been raised through The Health Lottery.
The grant has been awarded by People’s Health Trust through Active Communities, a funding programme which invests in local people and groups in communities with great ideas to make their communities even better.
The funding will be going towards Aspire’s existing 2-year project to deliver a programme of weekly horticultural activities in a community garden for residents of Ryde, with mental and physical ill-health. Sessions involve volunteers acting as peer mentors in order to provide more intensive support to people where needed.
Whilst horticulture is the project’s main focus, tea breaks and informal trips to relevant places such as the local botanical gardens will provide opportunities to develop social skills and friendships, addressing the isolation many individuals experience.
Chris Lunn, Director of HealthShape CIC said:
“We are delighted that money raised by HealthShape is supporting such important local projects.”
Active Communities is for community groups and not-for-profit organisations, with an income of less than £350,000 a year, that are seeking investment of between £5000 and £50,000 a year for projects lasting up to 2 years. For more information, visit www.PeoplesHealthTrust.org.uk.
