3 minute read
COMMUNITY CASH BACK Community projects benefiting from grants, generated by regeneration
Community Community projects across Brent are benefiting from grants generated by regeneration in the borough.
MY COMMUNITY cash back
At least 15 per cent of all the money the council collects from the developers of new, eligible, buildings in the borough is spent on priorities that are agreed in consultation with the local community.
Known as the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL), the pot of money created by each new development is pumped back into supporting local community projects.
Ealing Road art trail
A mural tribute, celebrating the area’s rich cultural heritage and the life of Jayaben Desai, painted by Mr Cenz, is visible along the Ealing Road. Jayaben worked at the nearby Grunwick film-processing factory in the 1970s where workers were subjected to degrading treatment and poor work conditions. Jayaben went on to become a prominent strike leader of the 1976 Grunwick dispute.
Cllr Shama Tatler, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Property & Planning at Brent Council, said: “Regeneration is about supporting all of our residents and it’s fantastic to see Ealing Road come alive with colour, reflecting and celebrating the local South Asian community.” Mr Cenz
SWAY: Mentoring for Moving Forward
As part of the council’s Black Community Action Plan (BCAP), SWAY has worked with the council to establish a three-year mentoring support programme in three local scondary schools for black boys aged from 12 to 16 . Outside of the school grounds, the initiative also provides free activities for students over the holidays, including sweatshirt designing and kayaking throughout the summer.
St Cuthbert’s Church renovation
Built in the 1940s, the facilities at St Cuthbert’s were outdated and had fallen into disrepair. The grant has breathed new life into the church, with a refurbished kitchen area, heating system, disabled access along with new disabled toilet facilities.
The much-loved space at St Cuthbert’s is now home to a nursery during the day and hosts community events in the evening, along with a number of fitness classes including Tai Chi, Indian Classical Dance and Zumba.
Other Cinemas
In 2020, a film school and exhibition programme that focuses on Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) creatives and communities in Brent, won the award for Best Programme and Best New Society at the Cinema for All annual awards.
Six students successfully completed the first yearlong course with ten spaces available for 2022. If you are aged 18-35 and interested in developing your film making skills in film industry, please email: hello@othercinemas. co.uk. Hurry, the deadline for applications is Thursday 16 December 2021.
So far, 15 independent films, showcasing the brilliant work of talented BAME filmmakers have been shown, including a variety of workshops across the borough, providing over 5,000 people with a platform to watch exciting cinema. Follow them on twitter @ othercinemas to find out about the latest screenings near you.
Youngs Football Club Community Project
A new two-year football scheme for young people from low-income backgrounds has started a new training programme for children aged 4 years or over and FA coaching for young people aged 16 years or over. The coaching course provides recognised qualifications that will help students with their future career prospects. The project is already a huge success with over 120 enrolments. For further information visit: www. youngsfc.com.
The latest round of NCIL funding closes on 30 January 2022.
If you are part of a registered organisation (e.g. charity, business, community group, school) and would like to help make a difference and support the development of your neighbourhood please apply for a grant by visiting: www.brent.gov.uk/ncil.