Building Connections Fund

New fund to tackle loneliness opens to applications on the Big Lottery Fund webpage.

Charities and community groups in England can now apply for a share of close to £9 million aimed at tackling loneliness by building strong social connections and welcoming communities.

The money is from the £11.5 million Building Connections Fund announced on 19 June by the Prime Minister, Theresa May, and lead Minister for Tackling Loneliness, Tracey Crouch, in response to the Jo Cox Commission’s recommendations on Loneliness.  Almost £9 million will be distributed by the Big Lottery Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, and will support projects already working to prevent or reduce loneliness to increase their impact.  Grants of between £30,000 and £100,000 will be available for projects which reach out to people of all ages who feel lonely or isolated, and encourage them to take part in activities, helping them to feel more connected. This could include making the most of community spaces, improving access to transport, using digital technology, or joining up local services to have a bigger reach. The money will also support the collecting and sharing of evidence and learning to increase understanding about what works to tackle loneliness.

Applications open Monday 16 July and will close on Friday 24 August. Guidance and criteria are available on the Big Lottery Fund website.

Youth Strand  There will be a separate Youth Strand of funding is made up of £2 million, which will be distributed by the Co-op Foundation, making grants of up to £80,000. It will open for applications in August 2018 – find out more on the Co-op Foundation blog. The Youth Strand will be open to organisations with existing youth-focused activities that could be effective at helping young people avoid long-term loneliness. Successful applicants will receive funding to explore youth loneliness in greater depth, test youth-led innovations within their existing provision, and share their learning as part of a national network.

All grants will be announced in December 2018, with funding available to support projects until March 2021.

If you have any  queries around the fund please contact the Big Lottery Fund  directly on tel: 0345 410 2030

 

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Sheffield General Cemetery awarded National Lottery millions for restoration

Sheffield’s General Cemetery has been awarded more than £3 million pounds of National Lottery funding, following a successful bid by Sheffield City Council for plans to complete major restoration and improvement work at the site.

The funding, raised by National Lottery players and awarded jointly by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund, aims to conserve the heritage and improve facilities and access to create a safe and welcoming public park for the local community.

The project is planned to start later in 2018 and will run up to Winter 2022.

Today’s announcement is part of £6.2million of funding awarded to three cemeteries across the UK. Sheffield City Council’s Parks and Countryside service received stage one development funding of £429,000 to progress their plans for the cemetery two years ago, and then applied for the full grant earlier this year.

The project aims to carry out essential conservation work to protect the heritage infrastructure, transforming the site into a well-used heritage and wildlife park that will be enjoyed and explored by people of all ages and interests.

During the project a range of community activities and events will take place giving people the opportunity to become involved and learn more about the historic importance of this site. A programme of education and training activities will be offered for all ages and abilities at different stages of the project. Importantly, support will be provided for volunteers so that they can continue to help manage the park and its heritage into the future.

Councillor Mary Lea, Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Leisure at Sheffield City Council, said: “Today’s announcement is fantastic news for Sheffield and this wonderful historic site. After the hard work we put in to the development plans, I’m delighted that this important project has been recognised by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Big Lottery Fund and National Lottery Players, and to have their support in bringing our plans to life.  

“The General Cemetery is one of Sheffield’s hidden gems but maintaining the site has presented many challenges due to the cemetery’s age and unique structure. I’d like to thank the volunteers who’ve supported this work from the Friends of the General Cemetery and Sheffield General Cemetery Trust, whose efforts have been invaluable and to reassure people that we will continue to work with all interested parties and the local community as the scheme progresses.

“Located just ten minutes from our city centre, the General Cemetery is valued for its unique historic character, abundance of plants and wildlife and links to the Peak District. This investment means we can now realise the true potential that lies within this beautiful, historic park for current and future generations.”

The General Cemetery has been in decline in recent years and is currently listed on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register.

This new project will repair the historic Egyptian Gateway, catacombs, Dissenters Wall and other key monuments and memorials. It will improve access and pathways around the site, the history of the site will be better interpreted and shared, and the landscaping will be restored.

The Sheffield General Cemetery opened in 1836 as a response to overcrowding and poor conditions in Sheffield’s churchyards. It was one of the earliest commercial cemeteries of its kind in the UK, conceived at a time when Sheffield was at the cutting-edge of cultural reform and technical innovation.

On behalf of the HLF and Big Lottery Fund, Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of HLF, said: “Historic cemeteries reveal much of the past but their true value to local communities and wildlife is firmly in the here and now. This is a pioneering project that, with National Lottery investment, will help people to understand, tap into and enjoy the many benefits these community greenspaces provide.”

The Grade II* registered park is one of the city’s finest historical assets and is home to 10 listed structures/buildings including catacombs, monuments, gateways, the Non-Conformist Chapel, the Anglican Chapel and the Gatehouse lodge.

The cemetery charts the fascinating history of the city’s growth, through those who are buried there, such as Mark Firth (1880) the highly successful Sheffield Industrialist, benefactor of Firth Park and founder of The University of Sheffield; George Bassett (1886) founder of Bassett’s Sweets; and the Cole Brothers, owners of the well-known Sheffield store. Several members of the world’s first football club, Sheffield FC are also buried there including William Prest co-writer of the first rule book, his funeral procession in 1885 saw the roads lined with several thousand mourners.

Cllr Lea added: “Whether you enjoy a gentle stroll, a picnic, bird spotting, a history tour, a lunchtime run or ride out to the Peaks, our plans for Sheffield General Cemetery Community Park will make it an even more popular attraction that is accessible to all and can be enjoyed for centuries to come.”

The Sheffield General Cemetery is bordered by Cemetery Road, Montague Street, Stalker Walk and the Porter Brook, it is open to the public at all times.

 

 

 

Football coming home to Sheffield with fanzone

Football’s coming home to Sheffield with our semi-final fanzone.

On Wednesday 11 July, Sheffield city centre will be home to the Made In Sheffield fan zone. Inspired by Sheffield’s three lions – Harry Maguire, Kyle Walker and Jamie Vardy – a giant 46 square metre screen will take pride of place in the city’s Devonshire Green.

An expected 6,000 fans at Devonshire Green will be able to enjoy the game – England’s biggest match since the Italia ‘90 semi-final against West Germany.

The council considered various locations for this event and Devonshire Green, which is used to putting on major events such as Tramlines and Cliffhanger,  was the only one in the city centre that could safely accommodate expected numbers and create a family atmosphere.

Mary Lea, cabinet member for culture, parks and leisure at SCC, said:

“Sheffield is immensely proud of its footballing heritage and the three players who have played such prominent roles in this memorable World Cup.

“We are proud of Harry, Kyle and Jamie and have watched their journeys from grass roots, through spells at our professional clubs to become the heroes we see today.

“Across the city, pubs and clubs have been packed into the early hours celebrating England’s successes.

“Sheffield is the home of football and in Sheffield FC, boasts the oldest club in the world so it’s fitting that three of our great sporting ambassadors are at the heart of it. Our fan zone at Devonshire Green on Wednesday will clearly be the place to be as we continue this remarkable sporting journey.

“For Sheffield it really is coming home.”

The event will provide an opportunity for Sheffielders to come together and support England, to enjoy the success of the England team getting to the semi-finals and to celebrate Sheffield’s part in creating the team the nation is pinning its hopes on.

The event will start at 5.30pm and finish at 9.30pm. This may be extended due to extra time and penalties. From 6pm, the screen will show live TV from ITV through to the finish.

The event will be treated the same as any other licensed event and a full safety plan will be implemented which includes stewarding, First Aid and toilets, in consultation with South Yorkshire Police.

There will be zero tolerance to any glass on site and plastic glasses will be provided where possible but people should provide their own plastic glasses where possible.

To assist with this, and in agreement with local bar owners, the council has agreed that there will be one bar as part of the event on Devonshire Green to help reduce people leaving the site and carrying drinks between locations.

In addition local bars will be encouraged to play their part in the event but must use plastic glasses. The Forum will also be used as a bar although it’s not in the arena.

People attending the event will be encouraged to bring their own food and drink or use local businesses or make a night of it and use local bars, restaurants, shops and cafes.

 

 

All action city centre takeover as Cliffhanger festival returns to Sheffield

A weekend packed full of action and adventure is upon us as Cliffhanger festival returns to Sheffield tomorrow (Friday 6 July).

The event, sponsored by the Sheffield BID (Business Improvement District) and billed as Sheffield’s inner city festival celebrating all things outdoors, will stretch across city centre locations including the Peace Gardens, Tudor Square, Millennium Square and the Winter Garden from Friday, 6 July until Sunday, 8 July.

Live music kicks things off from 6pm on the Friday evening in Devonshire Green with some of Sheffield’s hottest emerging talent taking to the stage, plus refreshments from a range of food and drink outlets.

Saturday and Sunday will see Sheffield transformed into a giant outdoor playground, for big kids, little kids and all with professional demonstrations and sports activities including climbing, mountain biking, skateboarding, orienteering, caving and much more. The Sheffield City Urban Orienteering Race will take place on Sunday.

There’s plenty of action taking place in each area across the weekend, with some new additions for this year such as a 5k run on Saturday and Sunday at 10am from Devonshire Green with the full low down available at www.theoutdoorcity.co.uk/cliffhanger.

Once again, the highlight of the weekend will be the British Bouldering Championships, where the nation’s strongest male and female climbers will battle it out on a purpose-built bouldering wall in Devonshire Green.

Councillor Mary Lea, Cabinet Member for culture parks and leisure at Sheffield City Council, said: “Since moving Cliffhanger Festival to the city centre two years ago, the weekend is now a well-established and well-anticipated event on Sheffield’s major events calendar and is growing year on year.

“With its city centre location and free entry, the festival is accessible to everyone, giving people the chance to try out new activities such as parkour or caving and experience the thrill of outdoor adventure.

“Cliffhanger perfectly demonstrates Sheffield’s status as The Outdoor City and our unrivalled offer of big city life and the great outdoors. And with what looks like guaranteed sunshine for the weekend I would encourage everyone to come along for a piece of the action.”

Cliffhanger kicks off a very busy month with a series of events taking place in Sheffield City Centre this July. HSBC City Ride brings traffic-free, family-friendly cycling on 15 July and The Fringe at Tramlines will be showcasing the best of Sheffield’s emerging local talent on 21 & 22 July.

Diane Jarvis, Sheffield BID manager, said: “This is the third time Sheffield city centre has played host to Cliffhanger and it is fantastic to see tens of thousands of people out enjoying action-packed activities for free in the heart of The Outdoor City.

“The BID is pleased to have played a part in bringing Cliffhanger into the city centre and making it free for all. The event gets more popular each year, driving footfall and increasing dwell time in the city centre. Cliffhanger helps promote Sheffield as an exciting, dynamic leisure destination for lovers of the outdoors from across the UK and beyond.”

This year for the first time the British Bouldering Championships will be broadcast live by the BBC, via BBC Sport live streaming service, viewable across the world at www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live-guide and on the BBC Sport app.

There will be two separate broadcasts on Sunday 8 July, showing the semi-finals at 10.25am and the finals at 5.15pm.

The championships will also be streamed on BMC’s own YouTube channels, collectively reaching an audience of thousands across the world.

All you need to know about the hot contenders at this year’s championships is on the BMC website at www.thebmc.co.uk/british-bouldering-championships-2018-contenders.

Round-up of activities and stalls over the weekend:

Devonshire Green

British Bouldering championships, orienteering, climbing walls, parkour, live music, bar, food stalls and outdoors trade stalls.

Barkers Pool

British Cycling, zip line, fairground rides and food stalls.

Town Hall Square

Airbag Drop and the Wipe Out ride.

Peace Gardens / millennium Square

BMX display, Scouts obstacle course, Tough Guy assault course, Dive World, skateboarding, caving, Up & Running stall, fairground rides, food stalls and outdoors trade stalls, plus Heart Radio providing children’s activities.

Winter Garden

Friends of the Peak District, The Wildlife Trust, RSPB, Ecclesall Woodcrafts, Don Catchment River Trust, Eastern Moors Partnership, NHS Blood and Transplant Donation and Henna Tattoo  (Sunday only)

Tudor Square

Green Top Circus aerial trapeze workshop, fairground ride, food stalls.

Live music line-up for Devonshire Green stage:

Friday

• 6.15pm – James Taplin
• 7pm – Patrick Rose
• 7.45pm – Patrick Ludwig
• 8.30pm – From Carbon
• 9.15pm – Treebeard

Saturday

• 4.15pm –  Catherine Levi
• 5.30pm – Late Night Legacy
• 6.15pm – Homesteads
• 7pm – Lateral Vision
• 7.45pm – Harriet Rose Grant
• 8.30 – Unidentified
• 9.15 – Idle Ross

Sunday

2-3pm : Charlie Barker

Admission to Cliffhanger is completely free, though there may be a small charge for some of the activities.

For more information about Cliffhanger visit www.theoutdoorcity.co.uk/cliffhanger, follow @theoutdoorcity on Twitter (#cliffhanger) or join the Facebook event at www.facebook.com/events/384034878762770/

Sheffield receives funding for Rough Sleeping Initiative

Sheffield City Council is set to receive £363,000 this year to combat rough sleeping across the city.

The news is welcomed in Sheffield as it will allow for more work to be done for rough sleepers who have been living on the streets on and off for a longer period of time.

The funding means the council will be able to do more outreach work to prevent rough sleeping form occurring, wherever possible.

Money will be used to fund suitable housing for individual rough sleepers and to give them the support they need to be able to stay in that housing instead of becoming a rough sleeper again.

This intensive housing support will be tailored to meet the needs of each individual rough sleeper, who most often have a variety of complex needs. Individuals will be worked with for longer periods of time and the tailored help will mean that they will be more likely to remain housed.

More emergency accommodation for those who find themselves in crisis will also be made available and options for longer term housing will be improved.

All of this support will be provided by the council working alongside other registered housing providers, the commissioned outreached team, voluntary services and private sector landlords.

Councillor Jim Steinke, Cabinet Members for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety said: “ We welcome this funding which will help us focus on preventing rough sleeping in Sheffield. Our main aim will be to help people to sustain their independence.

“Although we have a relatively low number of rough sleepers in the city, we recognise that those at risk of rough sleeping often have very complex personal circumstances. It’s our job to help and support them in the right way as much as possible so that it can help transform their lives into something much better than they might otherwise have hoped for. This is a welcome boost to funding to help us make a real difference this winter.”