£50,000 available to community groups in and around Kirkby

The Fund will provide up to £50,000 a year for the next 30 years to support community groups, charities and projects operating in the local area around the Knowsley rail transfer loading station, including Northwood, Cherryfield, Shevington, Whitefield and Prescot North (Knowsley Village).

Community groups developing community, health and wellbeing, and environmental projects closest to the Knowsley rail transfer loading station are eligible to apply for grants of anything between £1,000 and £20,000 to support their projects. Applications need to be submitted by 05 June 2019 and the successful projects will be announced at the end of the summer.

Last year, 12 community groups were successful in applying for funds to support community, health and wellbeing, and environmental projects. Three examples of projects selected for funding were:

1. The Kirkby Food Hub received £5,000 to set up new outlets in and around Kirkby. The funding helps the Food Hub to realise its aim of reducing food waste and food poverty. Food Hub outlets are open twice a week to local residents who – for only £3.50 – can leave with shopping bags full of healthy food and sundries.
2. Knowsley’s local radio station “KCC Live” received £10,500 for equipment and to support a mental health and wellbeing programme called “Mental Matters”.
3. Another successful community initiative, ‘Incredible Edibles’, grows vegetables at various Knowsley community venues for residents to take free-of-charge – they received £4,500 to support procurement of new equipment.

The Fund was set up as part of the agreement with Merseyside Energy Recovery Ltd (MERL) who have been appointed by Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA) to treat all of the Merseyside and Halton Borough Council’s residual waste. SUEZ recycling and recovery UK (SUEZ) is both one of the shareholders in MERL and the operator of the rail transfer loading station. Merseyside Energy Recovery Ltd and SUEZ recognise that they have an important part to play in the local community and this Fund will help to help contribute to their responsibilities as a good neighbour.

Andrew Hughes, SUEZ’s Regional Manager, said: "I’m delighted to announce that the Kirkby Neighbourhood Community Fund 2019 is open for applications. If you have a great idea that could benefit your community, please apply."