Community Investment Fund: case studies

The St Bernadette Club, running since 1962, is an open-access weekly social setting for people with disabilities to meet others, become socially active and improve their well-being.

More than half of the club's regular attendees require transport each week in order to be able to attend activities. They applied to the YHN Community Fund to support them with costs for mini bus and taxi hire so that club attendees reliant on transport wouldn't miss out. 

Scotswood Community Garden received funding to help create an accessible garden so that people with restricted mobility or dementia could enjoy being outdoors in a safe, relaxing atmosphere.

New features included a levelled walkway, composted toilet, raised seed beds and a covered seating area.

Sporting Chance received funding to buy boxing kits so young people could take part in virtual boxing classes via social media during lockdown.

Jamie Cairns, Sporting Chance’s Managing Director, said: “Covid-19 hit our community very hard. It was great to see YHN being so proactive and supporting our project to keep as many of our young people active as we can. The funding helped us buy equipment and take the sessions online. YHN has helped to keep their tenants and the wider community active through the Community Spirit grant”.