Nine projects worth £15,000 get green light at first MutualGain event

Nine organisations in Sleaford were successful in their bids for money to help transform their community at the first of four MutualGain budgeting events to be held in the county.

Projects worth a total of £15,000 will soon get underway in the area, with cash to be put towards a new community grocery store, a support group for young children and more.

At the end of 2021, World Cafes were held in four areas of Lincolnshire.

These were listening events where the community shared their experiences and insights into issues relating to community safety.

Events were held at Sutton Bridge, Sleaford, Skegness and South West Ward, Gainsborough and local groups were encouraged to dream up projects they believed would benefit their area.

These applications would then be considered and voted on by the community at budgeting events after money was raised by the force, our partners and local people and organisations.

The first of these events took place on Saturday, March 26, in Sleaford at the New Life Centre and was a roaring success.

It ran from 11am to 1pm and saw dozens of people flock to the Mareham Lane site to see a presentation for each application.

Steve Doane, Sleaford resident and former RAF serviceman, did a sterling job in comparing the event and nearly 80 people cast their votes for several local projects.

A breakdown of who got what can be seen below – see the attached PDF at the bottom of this page to find out what the money will spent on in detail.

Rainbow Stars	£3,000.00
Sleaford Women’s Safety Group	£3,000.00
3rd Sleaford (St Denys) Scout Group	£723.00
Sleaford New Life Community Larder	£3,000.00
Sleaford Salvation Army Stay and Play Group	£500.00
Riverside Ducklings	£2,000.00
St Deny’s Bears	£500.00
Slea Paddlers Canoe and Kayak Club	£1,888.00
Church Lane Primary School and Nursery	£389

The process of distributing this money has already begun and the intention is to get the cash into the hands of the successful applicants as soon as possible.

Each applicant will have to send a short film to the Sleaford Speaks Facebook site every three months for the next year to update the community on the progress of the project.

They also need to spend the money within 12 months.

Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Mark Hillson, who attended the event, said he was delighted by the turn out and paid tribute to those involved in making the event happen.

He said: “Worldwide restrictions has meant this has been a long journey for the team involved in this project.

“However, the energy and excitement in the room at the weekend made those efforts all the more worthwhile.

“All the organisations bidding for money gave excellent and heartfelt presentations, and all are worthy of recognition.

“The genuine elation from the successful bidders is evidence of their commitment to their community in seeking to make Sleaford a better place to live for everyone.”

North Kesteven District Council leader Richard Wright said: “It is fantastic to see £15,000 worth of projects given the go ahead.

“The projects, which were conceived by the community and then voted on by local people, will help to make a real difference and foster a sense of togetherness.

“This has been a community-led project from the start, so it’s only right that they have the final say on where the money is spent.

“The nine organisations will soon start work on each scheme and update us all on their progress over the coming months.

“MutualGain shows that people really do care about their town and area and want to work together to make Sleaford a better place to live.”

The event, which saw the Sleaford Ukulele Orchestra play before and during proceedings, proved a hit with local people.

One person said it was ‘fantastic’ while another said it was ‘a worthwhile event to help community-based groups’.

Others said it was ‘well organised’ and ‘inclusive’.

This was the first of several events set to take place in the coming weeks.

The events will take place on these venues at the dates and times listed:

6pm - 8pm - 31st March, Gainsborough at the Trinity Arts Centre

6pm - 8pm - 1st April, Skegness at the Tower Gardens

11am - 1pm - 23rd April, Sutton Bridge at The Curlew Centre

Church Lane Primary School

 

New Life Community Larder

 

Rainbow Stars

 

Riverside Ducklings

 

Salvation Army

 

Sleaford Paddlers

 

Sleaford Women's Society Group

 

St Deny's Bears

 

St Deny's Scouts

 

Dozens of people turned out for the event