• Project Date: March 2, 2018
• Project Duration: 3 Years
• Funded By: National Lottery Community Fund

Bringing The Generations Together - To combat social isolation and loneliness in rural areas

Our Community Matters

Tees Valley Rural Action and Youth Focus: North East are working together to deliver the “Our Community Matters” project.  This project, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, is an intergenerational project and the objective is to bring together people living in rural communities across the Tees Valley to tackle isolation and loneliness and improve social cohesion within the generations.

Our Community Matters is an intergenerational project designed to make connections, raise mental health/well-being, address isolation and loneliness. The aim is to work with 5 groups each year, over 3 years, consisting of people aged 13 – 25 and 50+ coming together to plan, organise and deliver a social action project based on the 5 Ways to Well-being. The group will plan and deliver a well-being challenge of their very own design within the local community.  Each group will be fully supported over 5 weeks and will have access to a budget of £500, transport and a venue with refreshments.

Two examples of the groups which have taken part in the “Our Community Matters” project this year are:

• Guisborough and East Cleveland Sea Cadets and residents from the local community who planned, researched and delivered a WW1 themed event for the local community, and
• Redcar and Cleveland Police Cadets, Marske in Bloom and Marske Community Partnership all came together to plan, design and create a community garden for everyone to visit and enjoy in Marske Valley Gardens along with creating and supporting the hugely popular Scarecrow Festival.