A CHARITY which provides valuable support to Staple Hill residents is celebrating a £90,000 National Lottery award.
Staple Hill Community Hub, based at Berkeley House in Berkeley Road, has been given the money from the lottery’s Community Fund to help support its services for the next three years.
It will ensure the charity, which was founded in 2014, can continue to provide a wide range of services for local people, tackling areas including loneliness, mental health, physical health and employability.
Hub chair of trustees William Lee said: “This is such welcome news and a huge endorsement for all the work that the Hub does to support people in our community.
“Only one in five applications to TNL’s Community Fund is successful, so we have to be very pleased with this.
“All of the staff and volunteers who deliver the Hub’s services should take this as a signal that what we do is valued.
“We should also thank all of the people who play the National Lottery – in the end this funding comes from their participation.”
The Lottery funding, split over each of the coming three years, is equal to more than a third of the charity’s annual income, and will complement the support it receives from South Gloucestershire Council and other partners.
Regular services provided by the Hub include lunch clubs, a friendship and exercise club, job searchers’ support group, children’s clubs and emergency food parcels.
It also supports one-off events including children’s Christmas parties and Fresh Air and Free Food events in Page Park during school holidays.
One regular attendee of the Hub’s lunch club said: “It has helped me socialise with friends and get me away from everyday chores. I’ve become a happier person since coming regularly.”
William added: “Staple Hill Community Hub aims to reduce deprivation, support those experiencing disadvantage, and build community resilience in Staple Hill.
“Our activities create a welcoming and supportive environment, promote social connections and reduce loneliness and isolation.
“We help build a more resilient community by providing vital resources and support to those facing hardship, and support people in Staple Hill to build their confidence, skills, and independence.”
People who think they know someone who might benefit from the Hub’s services or would like to get involved as a volunteer or trustee can get in touch by calling Julie on 01454 868374 or emailing hello@staplehillcommunityhub.org.uk.