North Herts Council's Hitchin committee award over £7,000 to community groups

North Herts Council's Hitchin Committee awarded grants to five community groups in Hitchin at its March meeting.

These particular grants are designed to help organisations by supporting specific projects, rather than everyday expenditure.

Councillor Ian Albert, Chair of Hitchin Committee said: "The Committee was delighted to award these grants. They reflect the huge diversity of community groups in Hitchin.

"All of them do a tremendous amount of good work within the town and across the district from which we all benefit.

"These grants will particularly help young and sometimes vulnerable people and their parents."

Goslings Playgroup at Whitehill School awarded £2,000

Goslings Playgroup, located at Whitehill School in Hitchin, were awarded £2,000 to improve their outside play area.

The group will use the funds to purchase a wooden playhouse, benefitting around 50 children per year.

Children naturally enjoy being outside and a playhouse will encourage them to express themselves creatively and give them a focus for their outdoor play.

Bethan Desai, Secretary and Trustee of Goslings Playgroup, said: "We are hugely grateful for the grant received. It will give the Children a richer outdoor play experience. We can't wait to start the project. Thank you so much from all at Goslings."

Imagination Dance given £1,115

Imagination Dance was awarded £1,115 to enable them to run classes for children and young people with additional needs.

The funding will be used to hire the Westmill Community Centre and cover the costs of teaching staff. Up to 20 children will be able to benefit from the classes.

Hannah Reynolds, Company Director, Imagination Dance CIC said: "Imagination Dance are so grateful for the grant from North Herts Council Hitchin Committee.

"The funds will allow us to keep running our branch of SEND dance classes at the Westmill Community Centre, even after the tricky period of returning from various lockdowns.

"Our classes are so important for our participants and their families, with every single participant showing an improvement in confidence and social skills since joining our classes."

Red Media Love CIC handed £2,480

Red Media Love CIC were awarded £2,480 towards the cost of an exhibition set to run at the North Herts Museum in August.

The exhibition will focus on the second generation of south Asians who grew up in Hitchin and Letchworth, bringing people together to celebrate community spirit and diversity

Strathmore Fun Club awarded £1,100

Strathmore Fun Club was awarded £1,100 to purchase toys, equipment, and materials to cover the cost of a programme of events and activities.

As a not-for-profit club they are run purely for the benefit of the children and fees are kept low to make the club accessible for all working parents.

Amanda Wright, Club Manager, said: "I'm really pleased that Strathmore Fun Club has been awarded this substantial amount of money. It will go to good use and enable the club to buy some much-needed new equipment for the children."

Hitchin Scouts receive £580

Third Hitchin Scouts received £580 for the purchase of six kitchen tents which will be used to prepare meals by young people at camps and day activities.

The purchase of these tents will enable young Hitchin residents to experience simple living in a camp situation, but showing that life can be comfortable, healthy, fun, and in tune with nature and the environment.

The Team at Third Hitchin Scouts said: "We would like to thank North Herts Council Hitchin Committee for the award of these funds towards the purchase of much needed new kitchen tents".

To find out more about NHDC Community Grants please click here: https://www.north-herts.gov.uk/home/community/grants/community-grants