COMMUNITY organisers are asking residents to come forward with their views on how the final portion of a £1 million funding package should be spent.
Rudheath and Witton Together (RWT) has worked to support residents in the area after receiving funding from the National Lottery in 2013.
Having organised a host of projects and events in the years since, the group now wants to hear from residents about how they think the remaining cash should be spent.
RWT does have priority areas in mind – improving open spaces, supporting people with mental health and isolation concerns, and engaging with young people – but it wants to hear what residents want first.
Lesley Moore, of RWT, told the Guardian: "We are entering our last phase of the plan and we have got three years left, starting from April 1.
"We have done some early consultation about it but we want to get as many views as possible on what people think we should prioritise.
"We want to do work on mental health and isolation in particular because of Covid – it was a problem before but it is even more poignant now.
"For young people, it can be difficult for us to engage with them, so we want them to tell us what they want and moving forwards we hope to have some placements using the Kickstart scheme.
"We also want to know how open spaces could be improved to leave a legacy – whether that is a 'friendly bench' or a community area."
Over the years, RWT has organised several events and get-togethers for the community.
Its work has continued throughout the pandemic – with recipe bags for families, online activities and sewing scrubs for health workers, as well as last autumn’s scarecrow competition.
The organisation has been run from The Venue over the years, but Lesley hopes it will be more mobile in its final phase.
“It can be quite difficult to get to if you are living at the Witton end,” she said.
“What we are trying to do is become more mobile so that we can adapt to meet the community wherever we are needed in the next three years.”
READ > Manager thanks everyone for looking after Weaver Court evacuated residents
To take part in the consultation visit rudheathandwitton.org.uk or call 01606 723160 for more information.
Any Rudheath or Witton residents who complete the survey before February 2 will be in with a chance of winning a £50 voucher.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here