Local charities and community groups receive £100,000 boost from Merseylink
Two innovative schemes set up by bridge builder Merseylink are having a significant impact on the local community.
Since launching the Merseylink Time Bank scheme and the regeneration fund in May 2014, the construction joint venture and its supply chain have provided around £100,000* worth of support to community projects in Halton.
Time Bank was set up to help schools, colleges, charities and community groups as well as the local authority. It works by matching successful applicants with Merseylink’s industry experts and suppliers who give their time to provide professional advice and support.
The next round of Time Bank opens on Monday 30 May 2016 and community groups have until 24 June 2016 to submit their applications for support.
West Bank Community Centre received help from Merseylink’s regeneration fund to build a new community play area
Support from both the regeneration fund and Time Bank enabled West Bank Community Centre to build a new safe play area for local children to enjoy, while Brunswick House assisted living scheme received help from Time Bank to transform a rundown courtyard into an outdoor haven for residents.
Runcorn Rowing Club was able to install a new clubhouse building thanks to support from Merseylink’sTime Bank
Other community groups to benefit from Time Bank include Runcorn Rowing Club, which received specialist technical advice for building works to create foundations for a new clubhouse building, and Daresbury District Heritage Group, which is getting help to develop a new website and branding.
Numerous schools and colleges in the borough have also been supported including Daresbury Primary School, which received help to design a school trike track, and Riverside College, which was able to run a series of educational workshops for students thanks to assistance from Merseylink.
Merseylink’s regeneration fund has financed the appointment of a community development worker to help deliver the Time Bank scheme and further assist local good causes. Alison Gleave from Runcorn works with Time Bank applicants to help them to produce business plans, pull together funding bids and also offers fundraising advice.
Neil Wilcock, Employment and Skills Coordinator for Merseylink, said: “We set these schemes up to give something back to the local community so it’s fantastic to see that they are having such a positive impact. Thanks to help from our project team and generous suppliers we have been able to provide specialist support that can be very expensive, and without which, many of these projects wouldn’t have been able to get off the ground.”
Leader of Halton Borough Council, Councillor Rob Polhill, said: “It’s fantastic to see such significant investment brought to the local community. The project has always been more than just a bridge and the incredible success of Merseylink’s Time Bank scheme is testament to that.
“The help and support local organisations are receiving is helping to create a real legacy, which will be felt across the borough long after the bridge is open. I would encourage any local groups that would benefit from expert support to find out more about Time Bank and apply.”
For more information visit www.merseygateway.co.uk/timebank