What's Happening With Friends of Muir

 

‘Investing in People and Communities – Changing Lives’ – that’s what we are all about at Muir.

 

At its March meeting, the Friends of Muir (FoM) handed out over £6,000 to worthy causes and community projects, including:

 

£1,000 for ‘Central Arts’ project on Central Drive, Blackpool with an arts group called ‘Last Legs’. The project aims to bring young and older people together through a series of community art workshops. Last Legs have already successfully completed a number of projects in the Revoe area of Blackpool. They have focused on community cohesion through art, and have particularly benefitted Muir residents who live in the area. The project has been jointly funded by FoM, The Lottery and Blackpool Area Forum.

 

£285 for Phab, a disability group in Chester. The funding will pay for a trip to see a production called ‘Life through Dance’. This is a sensory performance specially designed to stimulate and motivate people with disabilities or learning difficulties. Many of our residents from Rowlands Lodge, a supported housing scheme which caters for residents with a range of disabilities, are members of Phab.

 

£1,000 towards setting up a charity recycling shop managed by Huntingdon Volunteer Centre. The centre aims to provide recycled furniture and goods for people on lower incomes.

 

£250 for Liverpool Cathedral Easter Event. This event has been organised by the Merseyside Police Neighbourhood Team to help reduce crime in the area. Merseyside Police have been working with community groups for a number of years, providing regular Easter and Halloween activities for local people. This has helped to reduce anti-social behaviour and raised the profile of community partnerships.

 

£468.50 has been awarded to Godmanchester in Bloom (GMiB). FoM have contributed to several GMiB projects over the last 5 years. These range from providing bee hives to creating wonderful flowering beds. This year FoM will pay for fruit trees to be planted throughout the Godmanchester area.

 

Friends of Muir also agreed to fund a scheme which aims to help residents who are struggling with heavy debt. Wayne Pearson from Muir’s Money Advice Team, has set up a pilot scheme to fund a number of Debt Relief Orders. This funding will be used to help residents who are in dire financial straits by giving them a fresh start. The stress and illness associated with debt can be overwhelming, so this approach was welcomed by FoM.

 

Since 2002, FoM has helped given over £500,000 to projects that have benefited your communities. If you think your community would benefit from funding, click here