News

Local children’s gymnastics group, Jesters Gymnastics Club, has been able to buy brand new gym equipment thanks to WDH and Horbury Financial Services. The not-for-profit organisation based in Pontefract and Featherstone received a £1500 Community Grant from WDH and £350 from Horbury Financial Services to buy a new air track to help gymnasts improve their tumbling skills and training. With over 20 years’ experience, Jesters Gymnastics Club works with over 200 children, aged five to 18, to learn and improve their gymnastics skills. Jess Garrett, Head Coach at Jesters Gymnastics Club said: “The children absolutely love the new air track. We bought it from Airtrack UK who have been brilliant. We rely solely on fundraising so this wouldn’t have been possible without the donations from WDH and Horbury Financial Services.”

A WDH Community Grant has helped the 17th Wakefield Scout Club to buy essential kits for expeditions.

A WDH Community Grant has helped Love2Act drama club to buy new costumes and props for their production with a £646 cash boost.

Community groups across Wakefield District are encouraged to apply for a WDH Community Grant of up to £1500 between 6 August- 14 September.

WDH has awarded the Wakefield Music Collective £500 to help them hold the annual music festival.

Catch A Falling Star, an adult mental health support group was awarded £780 by WDH’s Community Grant Scheme.

The Balne Lane Yoga Club in Wakefield has been awarded a community grant by WDH to help towards the cost of running the classes.

CoActive Arts has been awarded a WDH Community Grant for £1,000.

The WDH Community Grant Scheme is now open for local community groups and voluntary clubs to apply for up to £1,500. The cash boost can help towards existing services, buying equipment or paying for an event. The aim is to increase community spirit and enhance the quality of life for local people. Karen Deeley from Eastmoor Community Garden Association, whose art workshop project received funding from WDH, told us what the grant meant to her. "Five art workshops have taken place and the project has proved to be a wonderful experience.  Children aged between three and seven participated and created underwater scene art, willow wreathes and clay models.  As well as getting arty, people enjoyed exploring the community garden during their visits and learning about all the produce grown there.  On behalf of the Eastmoor Community Garden Association, I thank WDH for the support.  Without the grant received, none of this would have been possible." Applications are open from 7 August to 22 September 2017. For more information click here.

The Old Quarry Adventure Playground (The Addy) has received funding from WDH to provide free food for kids during the Summer holidays. The group applied for a WDH Community Grant to give free lunch to children who attend play sessions at the Addy over the Summer. As children don’t receive free school meals in the holidays, the Addy aims to reduce the financial burden on parents and make sure that children eat properly over the Summer break. The group at the Addy will teach kids how to make their own meals and introduce new healthy snacks. Michelle Bartram, from The Addy said: "We are piloting the holiday lunches this Summer. In cooperation with WDH, Morrisons and the Knottingley Food Bank we can provide 40 free dinners a day for a total of 21 days. The pilot seems successful, kids love making their own food and it helps parents out too!” Claire Secker, Tenant Involvement Officer at WDH said: “WDH work closely with The Addy throughout the year and I was happy to assist and support the application for a WDH Community Grant.  This project has given the children something to do during the school holidays and also ensured they have had a healthy lunch.  During my visit to a session it was great to see children enjoying preparing and trying new food.”