Stuart Anderson MP has welcomed more than £800,000 for local groups to tackle loneliness in Wolverhampton by creating volunteering opportunities. A range of local organisations across the city will benefit from the funding which comes from the Government’s £30 million ‘Know Your Neighbourhood’ Fund. The Fund aims to bring people together, allow them to develop skills, build relationships, and feel more connected to their community.
The Fund responds to recent research, which has found that those living in the most deprived areas are more likely to report feeling lonely and that certain types of volunteering opportunities can help to connect communities and support people to develop valuable skills, while improving their mental health. The Fund will run until March 2025. A key focus of the Fund will be to generate and share learning on how people in disadvantaged areas can be supported to volunteer and improve social connections, fostering sustained action beyond the lifetime of this specific Fund.
Over £10 million has been allocated by UK Community Foundations, while nearly £3 million has been distributed on behalf of the Government by Arts Council England via partners such as Libraries Connected and the Association of Independent Museums. Together, this will create 15,000 high-quality volunteering opportunities across the country and support people experiencing, or at risk of, loneliness. Wolverhampton Arts and Culture, for example, will work with Strengthening Families Hubs, which provide support and activities for families, to deliver a series of arts for wellbeing programmes inspired by objects and artworks in its collection. The project will be funded by a grant of £94,000, aiming to reduce loneliness through creative sessions delivered by community artists for isolated parents.
Other organisations in Wolverhampton South West to benefit from the funding include Wolverhampton Library Service; Access to Business; St. George's House; the Refugee and Migrant Centre; TLC College; Wildside Activity Centre; and Wolverhampton Voluntary & Community Action. Additional funding has been awarded to help entrepreneurs in Wolverhampton to kick-start social enterprises and support communities as part of the ‘Social Enterprise Boost Fund’. Up to £1.45 million will be delivered as grants of up to £10,000 across the country to help grow social enterprises, supporting the development of innovative ideas to tackle issues in areas such as Wolverhampton. Meanwhile, £2.3 million will be used to accelerate social enterprise activity through business support, training, networking, one-to-one support and peer learning like ‘Dragon’s Den’ style pitching.
Stuart Anderson MP said: “I am delighted that local groups across Wolverhampton will benefit from more than £860,000 to create volunteering opportunities for those experiencing loneliness to build social connections which lead to increased local pride and better mental health. Having faced my own struggles with mental health in the past, building a more connected society is a top priority of mine. That’s why I welcome this investment, which will support these fantastic local community groups to help people connect with their community and build more meaningful relationships.”
Civil Society Minister Stuart Andrew said: “Loneliness is something anyone can experience, at any time. We know that volunteering can help people connect, as well as improving mental wellbeing and helping people develop new skills. This funding will mean those in some of the most disadvantaged areas across the country are able to volunteer in an area that interests them.”
Local organisations to benefit:
Wolverhampton Arts and Culture £94,000
Wolverhampton Library Service £86,000
Access to Business £82,920
Age UK Wolverhampton - £120,652
All Saints Action Network LTD - £99,249
Aspiring Futures C.I.C. - £49,938
Bilston Resource Centre - £87,497
Gazebo Theatre In Education Company Ltd - £87,223
Motive8 Youth C.I.C - £49,620
St. George's House Charity - £55,512
The Refugee and Migrant Centre Ltd
TLC College - £87,500 - Dunstall Heights
Wildside Activity Centre - £49,729
Wolverhampton Voluntary & Community Action - £49,700