Member Article

Pine Court Housing Association grants £9k of funding to a number of local groups through their Community Development Fund

Merseyside based Pine Court Housing Association has successfully granted over £9,000 to local initiatives in a bid to enrich the lives of the local black and ethnic minority community.

The Pagoda Community Project, Liverpool Chinese Business Association and Wirral Chinese Association Cultural Group and Luncheon Club are set to benefit from the organisation’s Community Development Fund. L1 based Black E will also benefit from funds through their Engaging Local Young People Through Weekly Sessions project, in which they put particular emphasis on visual art, poetry and fitness for young people.

Pine Court Housing Association, part of The Sovini Group, was established to provide quality homes and housing services for those in need, with a specific focus on the Chinese and South East Asian communities.

The fund is available to support small scale community projects that will enhance the quality of life for Pine Court Residents and the wider community. This can include physical improvements such as gardening projects and play equipment or community projects such as activities for young people, community fun days and luncheon clubs for older people.

Pine Court’s Customer Empowerment Panel, which is their tenant focus group has a huge role in reviewing the applications and advising which initiatives would benefit the local community most from the funding available.

David Brown, Director of Operations for Pine Court said: “Many individuals, community projects and groups share our drive to improve the lives of the local community. This fund will help us to provide the financial support they might need to bring their initiatives and projects to fruition; helping them to make a real difference.”

Amongst those who’ve been granted funds are Liverpool Chinese Business Association, who’ve been granted £2,000 towards the Liverpool Chinese New Year Celebration. The city-wide event is organised by volunteers from local Chinese organisations in the Liverpool 1 area with the support from Liverpool City Council and partner agencies. The celebration offers a range of art and cultural events that engage with local communities, promote community cohesions and wellbeing, and support local businesses.

Another initiative to receive funds is the Pagoda Community Project which will enable Pagoda Arts to continue and extend their social services to the Chinese Community, especially helping the Chinese community with language barriers. They will also use the funds to help residents fill out forms, help them with letter reading or daily life essentials such as hospital appointments.

Applications will re-open for the next year of funding this April, if you think you might qualify please visit the Pine Court website. Alternatively call the office for more information on 0151 709 6878. Profit making organisations/ individuals may not apply.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by The Sovini Group .