Lottery Grant for The Waverley

East Boro Housing Trust to tackle loneliness and isolation with lottery grant

East Boro Housing Trust (East Boro), part of the Aster Group, has been awarded a grant from The National Lottery Community Fund to help tackle loneliness and isolation in the Weymouth community.

The grant of £50,000, which will be paid over two years, will fund the appointment of an events co-ordinator who will be based at the Waverley Community Hub to deliver a programme of activity to promote interests, hobbies and activities for people in the local community.

The events programme will include 15 different activities each week offered throughout the morning, afternoon and evening. These activities will range from book clubs, games sessions, reminiscence afternoons to film clubs and arts and crafts. There will also be the opportunity for social get togethers over coffee and biscuits.

Commenting on the exciting new project, East Boro chief executive, Kevin Hodder, said: “Our thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund for providing this generous lottery grant which will help us make a big difference to those in our community experiencing loneliness and isolation. Through wellbeing initiatives and a diverse range of clubs and sessions we hope to bring people together through common interests so they can discover hidden talents and meet new people in a friendly and welcoming environment.”

The programme will be delivered by East Boro’s activities and events co-ordinator Michelle Woodward, pictured above outside the Waverley. Commenting on the difference she hopes to make in the local community, Michelle said: “Due to the pandemic and lockdown our aim is to offer small intimate social groups that are welcoming, fun and in a safe environment aimed at reducing isolation and loneliness. They’ll be a varied range of activities and clubs which will be open to all ages, three times a day for a small fee to help towards ongoing running costs. We’re looking forward to holding our first session on Wednesday 15 June.”

The Waverley is also home to The Nest, a not-for-profit community shop and café. Single people and families on a low income can buy 10 items off the shelves for £3.50, or 15 items for £5 respectively, along with free bread, milk and vegetables. For social supermarket members the café offers a range of very affordable refreshments such as jacket potato, filling and salad for £1.50, beans on toast for 50p and cake for 30p. The café is also open to non-members at non-discounted prices.

Michelle will also be working with The Nest to extend The Waverley’s activities programme to their customers.

To find out more about the activity programme and to register your interest, please email Michelle at mwoodward@ebht.org.uk.

Date Posted: Tuesday 31st May 2022 @ 10:18