In September 2010 with the support of City of Lincoln Council Neighbourhood Manager Paul Carrick and the Community Development organisation Developmentplus (previously LCDP), Lincoln City Supporters’ Trust secured funding from the Tudor Trust to employ a Community Development Worker whose role is to develop positive links between the local community and LCFC.
Since commencing her role in September 2010, Gemma McFaul, the Community Development Worker for the project, has been working with the community and a wide range of partner organisations and funders to establish and deliver a number of new and exciting community initiatives at Sincil Bank.
Thanks to grants secured from the City of Lincoln Council Ward Budget, Awards For All and Church in Society Funds, several new youth initiatives have been established in partnership with Off the Bench Youth Services and the Ontarget Educational Centre team.
2 Youth Clubs run at the Stadium on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30pm to 7:30pm in the Red Imp and Ontarget facilities under the Co op Stand.
The Football Factory Youth programme run by Off the Bench and Lincoln Ladies runs every Saturday evening from 5pm to 6pm on the 3G pitch, and aims to tackle youth related anti social behaviour through engaging young people from 10-16 years old in football activities.
Local families with children between the ages of 8-11 year olds are also enjoying free fitness activity sessions run by the City of Lincoln Council’s Active8 Team every Wednesday from 4-5pm in the Red imp Bar area of the Stadium, under the Co op Stand.
Monthly Community Coffee Mornings now take place at the Trust Suite at Sincil Bank. The aim of the Coffee Mornings are to provide a ‘One Stop Shop’ support and information service to local residents of all ages and backgrounds by providing access to a wide range of agencies who can offer them regular support and information around issues such as debt management, health concerns, benefits advice and family support.
The dates for future Coffee Mornings are Wednesday 16th November and Wednesday 14th December from 10:30am to 12:30pm.
All residents are welcome to come along where they can enjoy free refreshments, arts and crafts and access to a wide range of support and information services.
Residents are also enjoying free weekly gym sessions at Sincil Bank which run every Tuesday from 1pm to 2pm at the gym facility.
There are still some free gym places available for residents of the Sincil Bank area so if you are interested please contact Gemma on the number below to book your place.
Gemma McFaul Community Development Worker told us, ‘The project has been a real success to date, with local people responding well to consultations and the range of activities that we now have up and running at Sincil Bank. I am currently working with several local residents both young and old to establish a Youth Forum and Community Forum, providing the opportunity for the community to become more involved in further developing the Supporters Trust Project, and we always welcome new residents to come and join us.’
If you would like further information about any of the above projects, or are a member of the local community who has an interest in volunteering or running a local project of your own, please do not hesitate to contact Gemma either by emailing gemma.mcfaul@lcdp.org.uk or telephone 07876624934.
Reported by Roy Noble
