Disabled and older people are set to benefit from over £300,000 of funding for projects using the city's green spaces.
The money, totalling £340,000 and given by the Big Lottery’s Reaching Communities fund, means that older and disabled people, their families, carers and friends will be provided with activities in some of the city’s green areas.
The scheme, entitled the Green Door Project, aims to improve physical and mental wellbeing and to reduce isolation and increase the community use of green space in Stoke-on-Trent.
The project will provide a wide variety of activities which will be based within green spaces around the city. People will be able to choose for themselves which activities they take part in, and how much time they can give.
Activities will include:-
• Outdoor learning activities;
• Guided nature walks for all ability levels;
• Wellbeing activities such as tai chi and relaxation.
Also included within the project will be the provision of a cycle hire facility, with specially adapted cycles for disabled people being available to hire alongside standard bikes for non-disabled people.
Councillor Adrian Knapper, cabinet member for health, said: “Green space in the city has the potential to help bring about significant changes in the health and well-being of communities within Stoke-on-Trent.”
“This project offers the freedom for people to pick and choose to do as much or as little as they feel able, to fit
in with their lives and other commitments.”
The project will launch in the New Year, with the cycle hire facility becoming available in early summer 2013. The project
is funded for four years, and will be mainly staffed by volunteers.
For any queries, or for people who would like to volunteer in the project, contact Stoke-on-Trent City Council on 01782 232236 or disabledaccess@stoke.gov.uk.
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For all media enquiries contact Steven Kennedy in the Communications Department at Stoke-on-Trent City Council on 01782 232987.