Young people in Brinnington are being offered the opportunity to get involved with new and exciting activities in their local area that will support their learning and self-development thanks to a cash injection of £75,000 to the ROC Café at Brinnington Community Church.
The funds have been awarded by Brinnington Big Local, an initiative that enables residents to make their communities even better places to live. They will be used to expand the current youth club provision, introduce a term-time homework club as well as support a local resident to become a qualified youth worker.
The aim of the funding is to support the education and ambition of the community’s young people and help them realise their academic aspirations by giving them a safe and inviting space to learn and be with their peers as well as raising awareness of pathways to further education. It will also offer them the opportunity to get involved with their local community through various initiatives including the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and the Brinnington Youth Council.
The funding was announced at a launch event at Brinnington Community Church attended by local residents and the Mayor of Stockport and Local Councillor, Linda Holt.
Brinnington Big Local is a ten-year programme which began in 2015 following a £1m grant from the Big Lottery Fund to make a positive difference to the local area by identifying and delivering community initiatives and projects. Groundwork is the Locally Trusted Organisation appointed by Brinnington Big Local to project manage the distribution of the funding alongside other members of the steering group.
Nina Burns, Communities Manager at Groundwork MSSTT and Locally Trusted Organisation representative said: “Groundwork is delighted to be working on the Brinnington Big Local programme at what is an exciting time for the local Brinnington community.
“We want our young people to dream, and dream big. As a partnership, Brinnington Big Local and the ROC Café at Brinnington Community Church are passionate about inspiring, challenging and enthusing young people and demonstrating what can be achieved when we work together.”
John Kenny, Chairman of Big Local Brinnington, said: “The local people of Brinnington are at the heart of managing the neighbourhood. They are the experts on any problems and issues they are facing and know what aspects of living in the community they are rightly proud of.
“The £75,000 investment will provide support to help young people realise their dreams while tackling anti-social behaviour in a pro-active and inclusive way. It’s important that we listen and take on-board the ideas of local young people who offer a new bright perspective on matters relevant them and their peers and ultimately encourage and inspire them be a part of the conversation and help to influence change.”
