A SUCCESSFUL bid for £640,000 worth of National Lottery funding for healthy living projects is a triumph for an alliance of community groups in Sedgefield.
The Borough of Sedgefield Health Living Centre Partnership put forward such a convincing case for funding that the National Opportunities Fund made a full allocation.
Unusually, every project in the bid was backed with lottery money.
Jane Hartley, director of the Pioneering Care Partnership, the Newton Aycliffe organisation that coordinated the bid, said: "We are delighted that all the hard work has paid off and we will soon have the money to start delivering project activities."
More than 40 community and statutory organisations took part in the successful application, which will allow a wide range of projects to get under way across the borough.
The projects include:
l Healthy lifestyle courses, including how to cook healthy meals on a low income, basic first aid training and practical ways of managing stress.
l Extending the Fit For Life leisure scheme to reach more people.
l Support for people wishing to develop community allotments.
l Work with children in primary and secondary schools targeting youngsters at risk of drug or alcohol abuse.
l Encouraging people with mental health problems to take part in leisure activities through befriending.
l A volunteer-run helpline for people with mental health problems.
l Drop-in events in the evenings and weekends for people with mental health problems.
The new services will be provided by a variety of organisations including Sedgefield Borough Council and Groundwork East Durham.
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