Partnership Project in Cheshire expands as national funding confirmed for GGO West Winsford
Residents and organisations in Winsford, Cheshire, are inviting local people and businesses to get involved in a project supporting employment and training in the area. The GGO West Winsford project has been successful in bidding for government funding from the national ‘Our Place’ programme, which aims to give local people more power over local services and budgets.
The GGO project consists of active residents called ‘GGO Getters’ working with Weaver Vale Housing Trust, Muir Group Housing and Cheshire West and Chester Council to make West Winsford a better place to live. With the support of a range of other organisations, including Groundwork Cheshire, the partnership, led by Weaver Vale, was one of only 14 projects in the North West to be approved under the first phase of ‘Our Place’ funding this year. It is now one of the first areas across the country confirmed for the next phase, to take forward its project working with residents of the Greenfields Park, Glebe Green and Over neighbourhoods and local businesses.
“GGO West Winsford is a fantastic project with organisations and residents working together to make a real difference to the area as a place to live”, said Emma Gilpin, Neighbourhood Manager at Weaver Vale Housing Trust.
Judith Burbidge, Weaver Vale Housing Trust Director of Housing & Communities and Chair of GGO Board said, “I’m excited that we’ve been approved for the next stage of the Our Place programme as it will help us to continue to work to open up access to employment and training opportunities for people living in the GGO area.”
Bev Price, Community Engagement Office at Muir Housing Group, added “The Our Place programme is a fantastic opportunity for the local community and businesses to take charge of their local area. And having the funding in place means GGO West Winsford can start to happen.
“We have a strategy in place that will enable the people in Winsford to improve their local employment opportunities, and local businesses find the best candidates for vacancies in their neighbourhood.”
Our Place was introduced by the Department for Communities and Local Government to encourage neighbourhoods to tackle local issues and create a better area for the local community. The funding will help with practical support as well as give much-needed financial help to the project.
Councillor Lynda Jones, Ward Member for Winsford Over and Verdin, said: “I am delighted that we and our GGO partners have been successful in securing the second stage of Our Place funding.
“Helping local people find better access to employment and training is at the heart of the GGO project, supporting them to improve their lives and the community where they live.
“We are now in the process of appointing an officer to deliver the key outcomes of this exciting project. Although the finer details are still being worked up, residents can look forward to benefitting from a fantastic range of support including preparing CVs, interview techniques and job searches.
“In addition GGO residents will be supported to build up a closer relationship with the local business community to open up work experience and job opportunities for local people.”
More information on the Our Place programme can be found at www.mycommunityrights.org.uk/our-place/ and GGO Winsford can be seen atwww.wvht.co.uk/ggo