Member Article

Coalfields cash ensures younger generation don't go hungry

Sunderland Community Action Group CIC, which is dedicated to supporting the people and communities within Sunderland, is expanding its services to the younger generation thanks to £8,943 secured from the Coalfields Community Investment Programme (CCIP), delivered by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.

The organisation, based at the University of Sunderland, is launching a new project that will deliver a Holiday Hunger Programme targeted at children and young people aged 5-16 year olds who would receive free school meals during term time.

To ensure that the continuity of access to food and drink is maintained throughout these challenging times, this programme will ensure that children in receipt of free school meals will receive fresh fruit, healthy drinks and a main meal each day during school holidays.

Richard Duggan, Director of Sunderland Community Action Group CIC, comments: “We understand that there are many parents who simply struggle to afford regular meals for their children during the school holiday periods, let alone the unprecedented times we now find ourselves in.

“Our goal is simple. We want to help give peace of mind to the parents in our communities who heavily rely on their children receiving free school meals. Without this service, their children could go hungry and this is simply unacceptable.

“Thanks to the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, we are now able to ensure no child will miss a meal and that they can concentrate on what’s important - staying safe and healthy with their families.”

Development Manager for the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Steve Abson, comments: “The vital necessity of this new project made it easy for the Coalfields Regeneration Trust to decide to support it.

“We know all too well that former coalfield communities are some of the most disadvantaged in the country, and the younger members of those communities are the ones who can often suffer the most.

“It is during these challenging times that we really see the true value of community-led organisations like the Sunderland Community Action Group. The health and wellbeing of our communities is of paramount importance and it is heart-warming to see the help that is being extended to the most vulnerable people as we adjust to being in lockdown.”

As Sunderland Community Action Group CIC has become a member of Coalfield Community Investment Programme, it will continue to be supported by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and will receive bespoke practical support. This includes everything from access to resources and services such as help with third-party funding applications and bid-writing, to tips on effective promotion and marketing.

The Coalfields Community Investment Programme supports organisations and programmes of activity that meet with three key criteria; to address skills, employment or health and wellbeing.

Established in 1999, the Coalfields Regeneration Trust is the only organisation dedicated to supporting former mining towns and villages.

Over the years it has helped more than 2m people. More than 25,500 people have been supported into work, 5,500 jobs have been created or safeguarded, 1.3m people have received the necessary support to help improve their skills and gain qualifications and over 250,000 people have participated in activities that have improve their health.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Nick Hill .