Rainbow Project Makes An Impact

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Local groups nominated for projects in their neighbourhood

The Rainbow Project has been nominated for a national award in recognition of its partnership work with tenants across the borough.

The project has been nominated for a Community Impact Award, organised by the National Housing Federation, which recognise the vast range of work being done in neighbourhoods by active residents - from anti-social behaviour initiatives to support for older people - run by housing associations.

The project is one of the five shortlisted entries for the London region in the category of improving neighbourhoods.

The Rainbow Project has provided Hounslow Homes’ tenants with the opportunity to bid for grants of between £500 and £100,000 to improve their community or local environment.

Cllr Steve Curran, cabinet member for housing and education at the council and Chair of the Rainbow Project Panel, said: “The Rainbow Project helps tenants make a real positive difference to their area.

“The fact they are through to the final few contenders for this award shows the quality of the project is recognised nationally, and I’m proud we are able to support its work.”

Bernadette O’Shea, chief executive of Hounslow Homes, said: “The Rainbow Project provided an opportunity for residents to come forward with their own ideas for investment in their communities. 

“This generated lots of brilliant proposals many of them well outside the usual kinds of investments made.

“We have seen evidence of how these projects have brought people together in adventurous ways and helped ignite communities in really positive and lasting ways.”

Since 2008 the Rainbow Project has invested more than £1.2 million in 46 tenant-led projects across the borough, benefitting residents and their families.

As well as providing grant funding, the project provides support to groups with managing community centres, funding applications, evaluation, and most importantly professional training to increase their ability to continue to provide community projects.

Projects benefitting from funding include:

• Provision of new, or improvements to existing, community centre’s.
• Improvements to communal areas of sheltered schemes across the borough.
• Play projects, youth clubs and activities for young people.
• New or improved play facilities.
• Improvements to communal gardens and open spaces.
• Activities and services for older residents, women and families across the borough.
• Community development, advice and support services.

The awards take place on Thursday 11 October, and will be attended by staff from Hounslow Homes and the council alongside tenants that have been involved in delivering these projects.

 

October 5, 2012