On Thursday, the residents of Allens Cross will be able to decide how grant money set aside in the Commonwealth Games budget is spent in their community.
The Celebrating Communities Fund
As part of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the £2 million ‘Celebrating Communities’ fund was established, celebrating the legacy of Birmingham’s tenure hosting the Games. Funding is directed to community organisations in all of Birmingham’s 69 wards across three themes: ‘Getting Active’, ‘Ready, Steady, Fun’ and ‘Celebrating Culture’.
After the first round of funds are processed, applications will be voted on by residents in Allens Cross at a meeting on Thursday evening at 6pm. Held online, the meeting will be facilitated by local Councillor Eddie Freeman. The meeting can be found at this link.
What the funding provides
One of the applicants for this funding is Allens Cross Community Centre. If successful, their £2,555 bid enables free taster sessions for residents, allowing them to try the physical activities provided by the Community Centre. Provided activities include lessons in karate, street dancing, and sessions in the centre’s Community Garden.
To celebrate the broad diversity encouraged by the games, the team at the Community Centre are planning a fete, with musicians and chefs to produce a vibrant display of music and food from across the commonwealth. Residents will have the opportunity to make commonwealth flags, which will be flown from a balloon hired for the event.
The Community Centre’s application is one of several projects voted on at the session, so be sure to attend, take a look at the fellow projects on offer, and have your voice heard!
The meeting to decide the applications will be held on Thursday 3rd March at 6pm, on this link.