Grants awarded

1. 9th Scouts Gateshead

Funding will be used to take the group on a residential weekend in September. It will be open to all members between 8 and 18, who will enjoy camping, backwoods cooking, hiking etc.

Other activities will be determined by venues facilities but in previous years we have included archery, climbing, crate stacking, and canoeing in the programme.

2. Calum French Boxing Coach CIC

Funding will allow the group to take non-contact boxing training program into community venues in Beacon Lough and Wrekenton. Structured sessions comprising warmups, boxing drills and guided mentoring will be delivered.

They focus on discipline, teamwork and positive choices which not only helps young people build confidence and fitness but creates safer communities too. The program can also direct young people to pathways into local sports clubs.

3. Dance Fusion

Dance Fusion run a brighten the day project in the holidays for 4 weeks. The last day is a fun day not just for children attending the project but for families as well. Funding will allow them to open the event up to everyone so the residents in and around the area can have a fun filled day.

Funding will be used for entertainment and activities as well as providing a free hot meal to everyone on the day as well.

4. FACT

Throughout the summer FACT are running weekly free exercise and socialise sessions. They will consist of a half hour accessible exercise class lead by an instructor, followed by a half hour social with refreshments. Sessions will take place at our support centre in Wrekenton. Funding will be used to continue offering the sessions throughout the autumn.

The aim of these sessions is to help improve both the physical and mental wellbeing of the local community. As well as helping people stay healthy physically, exercise is a great way to build resilience and confidence. Furthermore, sessions will provide opportunities for people to meet new people and make new friends, reducing loneliness and social isolation.

5. Larkspur Community Primary School

The funding will be used to complete the transformation of a double decker bus into a high quality mobile library that meets the needs of children and families across Beacon Lough. Funding will support several essential areas:

Rich and diverse books - We will purchase a wide range of high quality texts that reflect children’s interests, cultures, and lived experiences. This includes fiction, non fiction, poetry, early reading books, and inclusive titles that help every child feel represented.
Cushions and beanbags - Soft seating will help create cosy reading corners where children can relax, feel comfortable, and enjoy books at their own pace.
Outdoor seating - Weather resistant benches and seating will allow us to extend reading activities outdoors, supporting family sessions, group reading, and community events.
Decorative resources - Wall art, signage and themed décor will help transform the bus into an inspiring, child centred space that encourages curiosity and imagination.

Together, these elements will ensure the mobile library becomes a vibrant, fully equipped resource that benefits children and their families across the community.

6. Little Movers

Little Movers aim is to get more children moving, giving families the skills and support to live healthy active lifestyles, helping to improve their all round wellbeing - as part of the project we will deliver community-based dance and movement sessions for babies, toddlers and their caregivers, to strengthen belonging, cohesion and wellbeing among hard-to-reach families.

The programme will combine weekly dance and movement sessions, outreach and support activities to remove access barriers, build local peer networks, and develop children’s social and physical skills while improving caregivers’ mental health and social connection. Sessions will be free for families to access with costs being subsidised by the grant, the sessions will be held in accessible community venues, and run alongside targeted engagement to bring isolated families into safe, welcoming spaces.

7. The Mount Association

Funding will be used to work with local CIC Flexigraze (part of Northumberland Wildlife Trust) to sustainably graze three sheep for 2-3 months over the summer to help control the grass and other plants in the wild area, they munch through the vegetation and allow us to then do any tree maintenance or other activities that are required, and allow public access to the field once again.

8. Wrekenton Methodist Church

Funding will be used to restore the outside area following a fire a couple of years ago. This will involve cleaning the flag stones, purchasing outside seating and tables and some raised beds for planting. Once completed the outside space will be available for community use and offer a green quiet place for people to access.

Sessions will be free for families to access with costs being subsidised by the grant, the sessions will be held in accessible community venues, and run alongside targeted engagement to bring isolated families into safe, welcoming spaces.

9. Youth Focus North East

Funding will be used for a trip to the beach. The trip will be eligible for all attendees of the youth club which will help reduce isolation and loneliness, build confidence in being out of the local area.

Public transport will be used to get there and back, which will give the young people an opportunity to learn about route planning and navigation, cost effective budgeting and responsibility.

While on the trip there will be opportunities to speak to lifeguards about the dangers of open water swimming. Social bonding and team building will play a big part as not all of the attendees are in the same friendship group. Informal beach games will be played, which increases friendships and group dynamics, and the young people will enjoy some lunch.