Key facts
Area: East Midlands
Grant recipient: Empowerment Plus centre
Project: Amity Wellbeing Group
Programme: Awards for All
Date of award: August 2011
Amount awarded: £9,800
In 2011, service users of the Empowerment Plus centre in Nottingham wanted to start some new activities that would make them feel healthy, and ‘better about themselves’. With help from centre manager Vicky Standring, they set up the Amity Wellbeing Group and applied for money from BIG’s small grants scheme, Awards for All, to run a gardening group, walking sessions and cooking classes.
Vicky says, “Applying for Awards for All was really easy. I must admit that when we got the application form I thought ‘Oh my goodness this looks big!’ But actually it’s a really simple process to follow when you’re filling it in. Within 6 weeks, we got a letter telling us we’d been successful. A couple of weeks later, the cheque was in the bank!”
All three elements of the project have been a huge success. The walking group has provided many with the opportunity to leave the city and enjoy the beauty of the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire landscapes. Money from Awards for All provided the group with walking equipment and they now hope to identify additional funds to continue the trips.
Of the gardening group, Vicky comments, “They can’t stay away! They come in at weekends and all sorts. I think they like coming and making sure that everything is well watered and looked after.” The money from Awards for All has allowed them to buy tools and seeds that have flourished into a green, bountiful garden. They have successfully cultivated fruit and vegetable plants, and with the equipment is now in place the group can continue post funding.
The produce of the garden doesn’t go to waste - most is given to the cooking group to turn into magnificent meals! Chris, a member of the cooking club and chair of the group tells me, “At healthy eating we do introduction to health and safety, cleanliness, personal hygiene. Then we all muck in, cook the food and enjoy eating it!” The classes also teach about the importance of eating a balanced diet.
As the project comes to a close Vicky remains very positive about the Awards for All process and the ongoing monitoring: “It is very clear from the outset what kind of monitoring you need. Ten minutes to fill out the report and send it back and that was it. Everyone at BIG is so helpful. If you ring up, they’ll give you advice as to what you need to do and the best way to do it, so you’re prepared for what you need. Dead simple!”