How to spend £1m Big Lottery funding? Local residents canvassed for their suggestions

Volunteers working with the Big Local DY10 initiative were the guests of St. Ambrose Lunch Club on Sunday March 24th. They completed questionnaires with the diners, collecting their suggestions and ideas on how £1m Big Lottery funding could be best spent to improve facilities and make a long term difference in the local community.

Our area, covering Broadwaters, Horsefair and Greenhill has been chosen as one of 150 areas around England to receive at least £1m in the resident-led initiative, with people who live in the area having their say and directing how to make a positive and lasting difference to their own communities. The current period is a time of consultation with residents through a variety of activities to engage with as many diverse groups as possible, collecting and collating the widest possible views of how the improvements can be achieved to benefit all. It’s about bringing together all the local talent, ambitions, skills and energy from individuals, groups and organisations who want to make their area an even better place to live.

The opportunity to actually have their views recorded and have input in such an important project was welcomed enthusiastically by the St Ambrose diners and the questionnaires provoked much positive discussion.

Aiden Tagg, who started organising the St Ambrose Lunch Club for parishioners a year ago, said. ‘The Big local is, indeed, a truly exciting thing to happen to the area. At such a time of economic malaise, this fund will make a lasting difference.’

In return for being able to canvass the diners, the Big Local DY10 made a donation to the Lunch Club funds and also ran a raffle to raise extra money to help subsidise the lunches which regularly feed and provide companionship 70 to 80 people.

For an opportunity to complete the questions click here