Launch event will celebrate £200,000 grant for Creative Newington scheme

Creative Newington launches this Sunday

Newington Big Local has scooped a £200,000 award for a creative community project.

The scheme is one of 14 across the country to receive a share of a £4million pot from the Creative Civic Change programme.

The project, Creative Newington, plans to reclaim green spaces for the community by creating a sensory garden, exploring place making through planting and other creative activities such as making mosaic benches.

They plan to develop a resident-led art group and work with Paines Plough – of the Roundabout pop up theatre- to bring theatre to the community.

Launch event

Creative Newington will celebrate the project with a launch event this Sunday (May 19) at the community cebtre in Princess Margaret Avenue from 1pm.

There will be creative bunting being made, pot decorating and planting, games, making dream catchers, a barbecue plus refreshments and more. The event is free.

Mike Harrison (pictured), from Newington Big Local, said: “It  is a fantastic opportunity for everyone to get involved in creating a vibrant and cohesive community, everyone from Newington is welcome to come to the opening at The Community Centre on Sunday.’

The funding is for a three year programme. Creative Newington will also be offered support including advice and mentoring.

‘Tackling issues’

Ceative Civic Change is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and Local Trust and is an initiative for communities to use the arts and creativity to address social need in their area.

Sarah Benioff, Director of England at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “People are at the heart of what we do and we believe it is important for them to get involved, have their say and make the changes they want to see. It’s thanks to National Lottery players and this partnership, the Creative Civic Change programme is building stronger networks within communities, whilst bringing them together to tackle issues that are not only affecting them individually, but collectively as a whole.”

Find Newington Big Local on facebook here

3 Comments

  1. Absolutely fantastic news! I’m so pleased with this development. Well done and congratulations on those involved. We need to build on this and get more investment into Newington.

    • If you get residents together, form an association with a constitution, a committee, a bank account, have meetings with minutes, then you can apply, of course there are strict conditions attached. Good Luck !

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