Some examples of projects funded by the Neighbourhood Investment Fund are……
Project: Towards a Better Integration
Organisation: Signpost to Polish Success
Funding: £3,500
Signpost to Polish Success was set up within the NDC area in December 2005 to help Polish new arrivals to integrate into British society by offering language tuition, interpretation, a Polish newsletter, signposting, cultural awareness activities and other support. The ‘Towards a Better Integration’ project aims to support the integration process by providing English lessons and advice, whilst also helping new arrivals find out more about the local history and culture of Nottingham that they may otherwise not have been aware of.
Project: Scotholme School Allotment Project
Organisation: Scotalot
Funding: £3,500
Scotalot was set up in 2002 and is an organic allotment based at Whitemoor Allotments in Hyson Green. It provides inner-city children who have little or no gardens, tuition in growing their own food, the environment and healthy eating through life-long learning. Various primary schools in and around the NDC area visit the allotment for educational trips and the funding from the NIF was to pay for a horticulturist, a project co-ordinator and for some heavy maintenance to be carried out. The group have also successfully applied to our equipment fund for various tools and learning resources.
Project: African Brazilian Dance for Women
Organisation: Mandinga
Funding: £3,500
Formally known as Nottingham African Brazilian Arts, Mandinga CIC was set up in October 2003 to offer courses and workshops relating to Brazilian and African culture, including Capoeira classes. The NIF money enabled the group to put on a year long programme of African Brazilian dance classes where the participants learn the cultural history and relevance of the dance, as well as physically learning it. At the end of the year will be a performance at the Annual International Workshop of Mandinga and a social event for the participants.
Some examples of equipment funded by the Neighbourhood Investment Fund are……
Equipment: Photocopier
Organisation: Nottinghamshire Vietnamese Community Project
Funding: £2,000
The Nottinghamshire Vietnamese Community Project was set up 25 years ago in order to cater for the special needs of Vietnamese refugees. They offer services such as translation, interpretation, lunch clubs, play schemes and Saturday schools to teach the youngsters in the community how to read and write Vietnamese. The grant money paid for a photocopier for their centre and was to replace old irreparable equipment. Amongst other things, this means they are able to produce their newsletter. They are also able to charge a small fee to their members for using the machine in order to generate enough income for it’s upkeep.
Equipment: CCTV
Organisation: Co-operative Community Action
Funding: £2,000
CCA is a local community support agency that was formed back in January 2000. Their aims are to offer capacity building, mentoring, training (including ESOL and basic skills), tenancy support, interpreting and translation. The £2,000 grant went towards the installation of a CCTV system at their Community Learning Centre on Gregory Boulevard. This added security has enabled them to offer evening classes, in order to make their services available to a wider range of people.
Equipment: Various Domestic Appliances
Organisation: Muslim Women’s Organisation
Funding: £764
The Muslim Women’s Organisation was set up 35 years ago in order to offer Muslim women and girls in Nottingham the recreational, cultural, religious, traditional and educational activities they require. They also offer advice and support whilst organising various events and activities for their members. The grant was used to purchase various equipment such as a ‘fridge freezer, pressure cooker and vacuum cleaner as the equipment they were having to use was in dire need of replacement. The group now has the equipment to cater for and clean up after their regular events such as their lunch club every Friday for their elderly members. The group has also successfully applied to our project fund for a refurbishment project.