Calderdale Thriving Communities announcement

Communities in Calderdale will soon benefit from increased opportunities to enjoy arts, culture and other activities to improve health and wellbeing – especially in areas hardest hit by the impacts of COVID-19.

Following a successful bid to Thriving Communities Fund – funded by the National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP), Arts Council England’s National Lottery resources, Natural England and Historic England - Calderdale will receive funding to support voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise projects in the borough. 

The bid for funding was submitted as a joint project involving multiple organisations, including Calderdale Council, Active Calderdale, Halifax Opportunities Trust, the South West Yorkshire NHS Partnership Trust, Creative Minds, Calderdale Community Foundation, creative and cultural organisations such as the The Victoria Theatre and verd de gris. This core partnership will be led by Artworks, The Everybody School of Art. Wider partnership working will also be established when the project launches.

The funding will be used to plan and deliver community activities including those involving the arts, creativity and culture, sport and activity and those focused on wellbeing. The work will support the recovery from COVID-19 by redeveloping community connections and supporting local organisations to work together more effectively for the benefit of local residents.

Lauren Iredale, Director at Artworks, The Everybody School of Art said: “We were delighted to see the success of Calderdale's Thriving Communities bid. 

“Creativity and Culture have big roles to play in our personal and collective recovery and in improving and supporting our health and wellbeing. 

“This project presents an important opportunity for Calderdale to demonstrate the impact creativity and culture can have on people’s lives. By coming together with partners from a wide range of sectors to share our knowledge and expertise we hope to nurture and enrich the social prescribing offer for people in Calderdale and make it more sustainable.”

For more information, to make enquiries or discuss Calderdale Thriving Communities, please contact: lauren@theartworks.org.uk