The Generations Project

LOTTERY CASH IMPROVES PROSPECTS FOR KIRKBY’S KIDS

A project that helps children and young people in Kirkby-in-Ashfield achieve their potential is benefiting from a Big Lottery Fund Reaching Communities grant of £316,381.

The Ashwood Generations Project, based at Ashwood Community Resource, offers help and advice children and young people experiencing disadvantage, including those at risk of teenage pregnancy, alcohol and drug misuse, exclusion from school, health problems, and low self-esteem and confidence.

The Ashwood Generations Project is the next step in delivering help and advice to families, children and young people experiencing disadvantage, including those at risk of teenage pregnancy, alcohol and drug misuse, exclusion from school, health problems, and low self-esteem and confidence.

The Lottery cash that we have secured will fund the project’s development for the next five years, building on what the centre has already achieved. Through an informal café style format, young people will be able to engage with staff and volunteers for mentoring and support, take part in activities that can give them accreditation and help with running the centre. There will be toddler groups, under-fives exercise groups, as well as groups for young people after school and into the early evening. Also a young entrepreneurs club will help young people develop enterprise and business opportunities, targeting the problems of low self-esteem and isolation. We will be seeking to integrate new projects with our existing provision to provide a ‘one stop’ provision for families, children and young people in Kirkby. This will be complimented by working co-operatively with other community organisations in the area. ACR is committed to continuing this investment into Kirkby beyond the five year Lottery funding.

Graham Bell, Chair of Trustees for the Ashwood Community Resource, said: “Many young people don’t know if there is help available for them out there if they are facing problems in their lives. We offer friendly local faces that can offer guidance and ‘catch’ any problems before they become something that has a significant impact on young peoples’ lives. They can also join us in working on the centre’s allotments, providing healthy food for other young people visiting the café.

“This new support from BIG is vital for us to be able to help even more young people in Kirkby, and also offer more activities to give children of all ages something worthwhile to be part of.”

Mick McGrath, Big Lottery Fund Head of Region for the East Midlands, said: “As part of the Reaching Communities programme of grants, we’re trying to bring people who might feel isolated in their local area to feel more involved, which in turn can offer more opportunities in life. The Generations Project fits perfectly with this idea.”

The Big Breakfast

October Half Term Activities

We have got an exciting programme for children and young people during half term holiday. The Big Breakfast will be open from 10.00am until 12noon on Monday 27th, Tuesday 28th and Friday 31st October at the Ashwood Centre.

We will be running football coaching alongside the Big Breakfast every morning with a Friday Football Tournament.

- healthy breakfasts – craft activities – pool tournaments – big screen movies

For more information contact Neil Hutson or Claire Bell on 01623 758974.

Children's Party Bookings

Fantastic rooms at the Ashwood Centre available for children’s parties

The Ashwood Centre has a large and medium room available for hire at the weekends for children’s parties. Either book anytime during Saturday or available on Sunday afternoons. Bookings can be made up to 6 weeks prior to the party date. Parties are for 2 hours with time for setting up and packing away.

Costs: Large Hall £45, Medium Hall £20

If you would like further information please contact our Centre Manager on 01623 758974 or info@ashcom.org.uk