National Lottery Community Fund Award
We are so happy to share the news that we are celebrating today after being awarded £362,982 in funding from National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK.
Investment from the National Lottery has come at a crucial time for Jack Drum Arts, and will be used to contribute towards some of our key running costs enabling our team to sustain, and grow our provision of arts and wellbeing activities across the 3 Towns Area Action Partnership (AAP) area, South West Durham and beyond.
'Power Up' is an ambitious 3-year programme which aims to address the ongoing needs of our local community, and support our mission to promote social inclusion, improved wellbeing, and cultural engagement. Through our open access activities focusing on health and wellbeing we will support local people to overcome a range of barriers to participate in creative activities, prioritising provision for people living alone, bereaved, in poor physical and mental health, and those on a low income.
Our programme will offer a variety of weekly activities for adults, young people, and intergenerational groups including the launch of a new Men’s Group in Willington working in partnership with Willington Open Door Methodist Church, and Rock Band Collective, a new older people’s music collective in Crook.
Activities will primarily take place at the St Cuthbert's Centre in Crook with some outreach at satellite locations across the local area.
Funding will also enable us to purchase an Electric Van which will be used for our many performances at events across the region , and to deliver outreach work across the County, supporting our aims to become carbon neutral by 2030 and reduce running costs.
"Thanks to the generous support of the Community Fund we are able to continue our work in creating vibrant, inclusive spaces for our community, empowering and changing lives for the better" said Helen Ward, Managing Director at Jack Drum Arts. "Power Up offers a diverse range of activities designed to foster social connections, improve wellbeing, and engage people of all ages and backgrounds."
Michele Armstrong, Chair of the Board of Directors, remarked, "This is a tremendous opportunity for Jack Drum Arts and a testament to the hard work of our team in securing the funding. The board is enthusiastic about the future, and ready to channel the energy and talent of our exceptional workforce."
Thank you National Lottery Community Fund for believing in our work, and supporting us to sustain and grow over the next 3 years. Exciting times ahead