£200k grants keep community organisations and clubs active

 

Being able to take part in team sports, community activities, exercise classes and visit the gym again is something so many people are looking forward to when the Covid-19 restrictions allow.

And fortunately, much-valued clubs and organisations across the Moorlands are still in business thanks to being awarded grants totalling almost £200k to support them during this challenging period.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has been offering guidance and advice to clubs and community organisations providing physical activities on the range of grants and funding available.

As a result, over 20 District clubs have received funding from schemes including Government grants for businesses which the Council is administering, the Sport England Community Emergency Fund, and grants from the Football Foundation.

Councillor Mark Deaville, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Sports, said: “Looking after our physical and mental wellbeing is important at all times but it has been brought into even sharper focus as a result of the lockdown and necessary restrictions to control Covid-19.

“Many of us have adapted our routines to take account of the changed circumstances by exercising at home or in our local areas and will be eagerly awaiting the re-opening of gyms, exercise classes and being able to return to sports clubs and groups when it is safe to do so.

“Thankfully, we’ve been able to assist clubs and groups across the Moorlands to access the vital funding to help them through this difficult period so that they will still be there to welcome people back when the time is right.

“I’m delighted that, with support from the Council, so many community organisations and clubs providing physical activities have benefitted from the funding available which has proved to be a lifeline for them. I hope we will all continue with the good habits we might have developed during lockdown and take advantage of what our local clubs have to offer so we can lead active, healthy lives.”

The clubs which have received grants including boxing and bowling clubs, football and cricket clubs, tennis, hockey, golf and sailing clubs and a jiu-jitsu club.

The funding, and the Council’s support, were welcomed by the board at Leek Golf Club who said: “So far we have been lucky enough to receive £5,000 from the Sport England Community Emergency Fund. We want to thank the Council for their support – it is appreciated.”

And Leek Town Football Club said: “The grant is a huge relief as we can now plan for the hibernation period and make sure we are in good shape for when normality returns.

“The community will need to come together and hopefully football and the Club can be a big part of that – social distancing observed of course.”