Stoke-on-Trent Libraries secure £88,000 from Know Your Neighbourhood Fund

Stoke-on-Trent Libraries are set to benefit from funding which will support isolated and lonely people in communities across Stoke-on-Trent.

The libraries have secured £88,000 as part of the Know Your Neighbourhood Fund which will fund the CLaY – Communities, Libraries and You initiative.

The ambition is to set up the following volunteer-run groups that will be supported by library staff:

• A perinatal support group for new parents which runs from pregnancy right through to 12 months post-partum
• A support group for fathers
• A bereavement support group that will provide a safe space to meet other people who have experienced loss or who are facing the possibility of loss

Cllr Jane Ashworth, Leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council said:

“We are delighted to have secured the monies from the Know Your Neighbourhood Fund, and will now press on with plans for the CLaY initiative.

“Our aim is to give people who have become socially isolated or lonely, perhaps since the pandemic, the opportunity to come into our welcoming library spaces.

“We have ambitious plans for CLaY, and hope with volunteer support we can expand the offer to include writing, reading, poetry, games and wellbeing groups.”

“All interested parties are encouraged to email amy.capewell@stoke.gov.uk for more information.”

For all the latest updates on the CLaY initiative please visit Stoke-on-Trent Libraries on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/stokeontrentlibraries.