HEALTHCARE chiefs at the Prime Foundation have dished out more than £8,000 to four good causes in Worcester to help improve health and wellbeing in the city.
Among the projects chosen are a new community youth programme being run by Worcester Community Trust and special equipment for the Risingbridge Riding for Disabled Group.
Funding has also been allocated to the Worcester Snoezelen and the Hive.
In December, Prime issued an appeal for Worcester-based good causes to apply for all or a share of a £8,222 funding pot. Scores of applications were received, and four good causes were selected based on how closely they met the Foundation’s objectives.
The Worcester Community Trust received almost £5,500 from the Prime Foundation to set up a Youth Summer Programme for young people aged seven to 18 years old.
The programme will run for six weeks from July to September at the trust’s six community centres in Worcester.
Each centre will offer activities such as football, rock climbing, dance and self-defence to engage vulnerable young people from deprived backgrounds, encouraging them to learn new skills, make new friends and get support from positive role models.
Worcester Snoezelen received almost £1,000 in grant funding.
The multi-sensory leisure therapy centre was set up to provide fulfilling activities for people of all ages with learning or physical disabilities.
The centre is used by 350 people each week and 280 of these use its sensory rooms.
The funds from the Prime Foundation will be used to revitalise the ‘White Room’ with a bubble panel and aroma fan, and to purchase a karaoke system for use in music sessions at the centre and during activity days held at St John’s Community Centre.
Jane Roberts, chief officer from Worcester Snoezelen, said: “We are so grateful to have support from the Prime Foundation. This equipment will enhance the quality of multi-sensory sessions at the Snoezelen centre and within the community.”
A further £500 has been allocated to the Risingbridge Riding for Disabled Group, which was established 40 years ago to provide riding experiences for physically and mentally disabled children.
The money will go towards the cost of equipment to help engage the children in the riding experience and develop the co-ordination needed to interact with the ponies and helpers.
The Hive received funding to buy sensory equipment for the children’s library, as part of its focus on inclusion. A projector, fibre optic lights, dark den, speech buttons and messy sensory play materials will all be purchased and used as part of sensory sessions for schools and families who care and educate children with specialist needs.
The equipment will also be used to complement some of the regular children’s events such as Wacky Wednesday – a stay, play and story time for under-fives – and Bounce and Rhyme sessions, encouraging further inclusion.
Debbie Jones-Dee, team leader at The Hive, said: “This funding has provided us with the means to purchase specialist equipment. This will enable us to reach out to a wider audience, encouraging them to come and experience all the library has to offer.
Visit www.primeplc.com/foundation for more.
