Almost £400,000 boost for Kirkby community projects through Neighbourhood Fund

The fund, provided annually by Merseyside Energy Recovery Ltd (MERL) in partnership with SUEZ recycling and recovery UK (SUEZ), supports a diverse range of local projects, spanning youth engagement to mental health support.

This year’s funding has been allocated to eleven local groups, each chosen for their commitment to making a positive impact in Northwood, Cherryfield, Shevington, Whitefield, and Prescot North. Since its inception in 2018, the Kirkby Neighbourhood Community Fund has invested over £390,600 across the Kirkby area.

2024 Funding Recipients:

• Kirkby Milers AC – "Active Kids for Healthy Futures" (£4,500): Focused on health and wellbeing for children aged 8-16, this program provides physical activities and education on nutrition and mental health, helping families instil healthy habits.
• Eco Therapy Garden (£4,500): Funds will support a new wooden pagoda and educational boards to expand year-round activities, including yoga and cooking classes, benefiting up to 1,000 residents.
• Kindred LCR – "The Women in the Know Space" (£8,000): This hub will be led by women in Kirkby, offering a café, gallery, and event space to support social enterprise, wellbeing, and creative projects, impacting 200 local women, and benefiting 2,000 residents.
• Sports Alive (£3,000): Providing a safe space for young people in Northwood, Sports Alive promotes physical activity, teamwork, and personal development through sports and creative programs.
• The CELLS Project (£4,000): Expanding an existing youth club, CELLS will now include programs for ages 12-18, offering a range of activities to foster community cohesion, reduce crime, and support youth development.
• Music Sweet Music (£2,000): With weekly music therapy sessions, this initiative engages over 150 vulnerable residents through singing, exercise, and dance, supporting mental health and building social connections.
• Knowsley Foodbank – Circular Food Project (£5,500): This sustainable initiative will establish a community food-growing project, featuring greenhouses, planters, and a chicken coop to provide fresh produce while reducing food waste.
• Tower Hill ABC (£4,000): The boxing club will expand with a new community hub, adding equipment and gardening houses for elderly residents. The facility expects to triple its user base with an expanded program.
• Northwood Together (£4,000): This project provides free food drops, emergency parcels, and pop-up clothing boutiques, as well as coffee afternoons for SEND families, building a strong community network.
• Kirkby Town JFC (£5,500): Supporting young players from low-income families, this funding will cover new kits and venue hire, promoting inclusivity and youth development through football.
• Mind Connect (£5,000): Free mental health hubs in Whitefield and Prescot North will offer weekly educational sessions on managing anxiety and emotional wellbeing, serving at least 200 residents.

The Kirkby Neighbourhood Community Fund was set up as part of an agreement between MERL, who treat the residual waste from across Merseyside and Halton, and Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA). SUEZ is both one of the shareholders in MERL and the operator of Knowsley rail loading transfer station, where the residual waste is compacted onto rail containers to be sent on to an energy from waste facility to generate electricity.

Victoria Crabtree, Regional Manager at SUEZ, commented, “It’s inspiring to see the incredible work that these local groups are doing to support their community. We’re delighted to be supporting their projects, and we look forward to seeing the positive changes they bring to residents’ lives. The fund will be welcoming applications again, next spring.”

Lesley Worswick, Chief Executive of Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority, added, “The Fund enables vital local projects to thrive, allowing community groups to continue serving in times of increasing demand. It’s wonderful to witness the difference these groups make firsthand, and we’re grateful to be able to play a small part in their continued success.”

To learn more about the journey of Merseyside and Halton’s household waste, local schools and community groups are invited to book a visit to the Rail Transfer Loading Station in Knowsley, where they can explore how residual waste contributes to sustainable energy generation.

The Kirkby Neighbourhood Community Fund is open to applications from non-profit, constituted groups, and local schools, dedicated to community and environmental progress in the Kirkby area.