West Lindsey: Inspiring communities to make difference

A staggering 71 ideas were put forward for the West Lindsey Community Assets Fund (CAF), to help bring those ideas to life.

Kate Markey, managing director of CAN Invest said: “What West Lindsey has started here, is the start of a journey.”

“It’s not just about the buildings, it’s the people in the buildings and how they are inspired with what they can do with the space.”

The lively event with plenty of discussion took place at the Epic Centre at the Lincolnshire Showground.

It highlighted how people can start projects including modernising their village hall, saving a shop from closure, starting a pre-school, setting up a gym or improving a community service.

Coun Malcolm Parish, chair of prosperous communities committee at West Lindsey District Council, said he was great to see so many people at the event.

“There is a lot of national funding about, and we want to help people find out about the West Lindsey Community Assets Fund (CAF) which can help people get a kick start to their project,” he said.

Manjeet Gill, the chief executive of the council, wants communities to move into sixth gear and find out how they can do things, rather than sitting back and saying it can’t be done.

“We want to use this fund to help communities come together,” she said.

“To not only give them a place where they can meet and socialise in their villages, but also help them gain the skills and knowledge to make their project be self-sustaining.”

Guest speakers at the event included Karen Lowthrop, CEO of Hill Holt Wood and Helen Seymour from the Headingley Development Trust.

James Alcock, head of frontline at the Plunkett Foundation, said he had been ‘really impressed’ with how many people attended.

“It made it a positive day with a really good buzz,” he said.

“The range of incredible ideas that has been put forward from shops to theatres is outstanding.”

“This event has shown that even the big projects start off as small projects, and small projects can be very beneficial to communities.”

The Community Assets Fund can help and support projects right across the West Lindsey district.

It is a £1.2 million dedicated fund supporting enterprising communities in West Lindsey, run by CAN and the Plunkett Foundation.

To register your interest or to find out more about the fund, call The Plunkett Foundation on 01993 810730.

Alternatively, visit the website at www.communityassetsfund.org.uk