Friends of St. James’ Park has been awarded a five year grant from the National Lottery Funding.
The Shirley-based charity has been recognised for its community enrichment. Friends of St. James’ Park is celebrating after being awarded the grant from the National Lottery Community Fund to continue their successful work with the community and their brand new Monday Park Club.
The group has existed since 2006, when some local parents got together and decided to celebrate and enhance the life of St. James’ Park. Being so central in Shirley and with all that it holds, it is a popular location for play, sports and events. The group organises gardening, history and support groups and annual events. Friends of St James’ Park became a charity in April 2018.
The National Lottery funding will enable the charity to continue employing part time staff to support the group in its daily tasks, increasing their outreach and potential to work with and support individuals and local charities, organisations and businesses.
Marina Murphy, Friends of St James’ Park community volunteer coordinator, said: “The support from The National Lottery Community Fund is so important for a small charity such as ourselves and will make a massive difference to the support we can give to our fantastic group of volunteers, staff and local community. Our aim is to reach the vulnerable, try to reduce loneliness and strengthen our networks.”
- Picture: Jessie Lawrence