Shelter help for Knowsley's vulnerable families

Area:

North West England

Programme:

Reaching Communities

Release date:

14 2 2012

Knowsley’s vulnerable families who are at risk of eviction and a Kirkby amateur boxing project to improve the health of young people and adults are amongst seven North West projects sharing £1.9 million from the Big Lottery Fund.

Today’s funding comes from BIG’s Reaching Communities programme which provides National Lottery good cause grants from £10,000 to £500,000 to help those most in need and build stronger communities.

Shelter, The National Campaign for Homeless People receives £348,931 to work with vulnerable families who are at risk of eviction or with a history of repeat homelessness to help them learn the skills and behaviours needed to manage a tenancy successfully. The project is a continuation of a successful project run by Shelter in Knowsley which provides support to children and their families as a whole.

Shelter will work closely with families and children with tailored support varying from six to twelve months with around 20 per cent of families needing longer-term support. The project will work with 225 families over three years who are affected by family issues including poverty, physical and mental health as well as education and social relationships. This will be carried out through outreach work and home visits.

In parallel to the family support, Shelter will work with the local council and the private rented sector to develop an accredited training programme that sets an agreed standard for both landlords and tenants. Tenants will be able to present a Passport to Housing to new landlords as proof of a family’s ability to hold down a tenancy reducing the likelihood of homelessness.

Claire White, Team Leader at Shelter’s Keys to the Future service in Knowsley said: “We are thrilled that the Big Lottery Fund has chosen to support our Keys to the Future Knowsley service over the next three years.

“The most common issues we find with children affected by homelessness are lack of confidence and self esteem. They often have had to take on adult responsibilities and missed out on experiences that other children take for granted. With this funding we will be able to continue the vital work of the service with children and their families, helping the children build on positive experiences and showing them what they can achieve.”

Kirkby Amateur Boxing Club receives £190,704 today to work with adults and young people with the aim of improving health and reducing anti-social behaviour in the area. Members will be encouraged to improve their talents and to play leadership roles by engaging in coaching development, committee responsibilities and volunteering. Activities will also include participating in events and tournaments to gain confidence and self discipline.

Stan Williams, Kirkby Amateur Boxing Club said: “We wish to help increase and sustain the self-discipline and well-being of young people and adults in the Northwood/Kirkby area and in doing so help to improve health and reduce anti-social behaviour. We have the premises and expertise to do this and with the help of the Big Lottery Fund grant we hope to establish a facility available to the community for years to come.”

Helen Bullough, Big Lottery Fund Head of Region North West said: “The Big Lottery Fund is today investing £1.9 million into vital community projects in the North West including Shelter which will help minimise the negative impact on children during turbulent family changes resulting from homelessness or the risk of eviction.”

The North West projects sharing in today’s Reaching Communities funding are:

Further Information

Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888
Out of hours media contact: 07867 500 572
Full details of the Big Lottery Fund programmes and grant awards are available on the website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Ask BIG a question here: https://ask.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Follow BIG on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BigLotteryFund #BIGlf
Find BIG on facebook: www.facebook.com/BigLotteryFund

Notes to Editors

• The Big Lottery Fund (BIG), the largest distributor of National Lottery good cause funding, is responsible for giving out 46% of the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery.
• BIG is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need and has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK. Since June 2004 BIG has awarded over £4.4bn.
• The Fund was formally established by Parliament on 1 December 2006.
• Since the National Lottery began in 1994, 28p from every pound spent by the public has gone to good causes. As a result, over £27 billion has now been raised and more than 370,000 grants awarded across arts, sport, heritage, charities, health, education and the environment.

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