Four months after Farley was named a ‘forgotten community’ that would receive £1million Big Lottery funding, representatives are hard at work trying to get locals involved in spending the cash.
The area was chosen by the National Lottery’s Big Local project as one of the 150 ‘needy’ places that have previously been overlooked for funding and investment, and that face issues including high levels of unemployment and crime.
Paul Bragman is the Big Local representative for the area, and has so far organised two meetings with community members to discuss how to spread the word.
He said: “Since December the focus has been on making links in the area and getting the message out about the fact Big Local is in Farley Hill. We’re trying to start the conversations about what people would like Big Local to do.”
Mr Bragman said there is an incredible variety of projects other areas have chosen to do, everything from building community centres to setting up people’s banks.
The project will be a long-term scheme, running for 10 years, to really invest in the community.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday May 8 at 6.30pm in Farley Hill Community Centre - everyone welcome to attend.
The meeting will be to discuss applying for further funding to help with the awareness campagin.
If you want to get involved, call Paul on 0208 442 2379 or visit http://www.localtrust.org.uk/big-local/