Tenants take action to strengthen their community and boost wellbeing

Neighbours are celebrating after being handed a cash pot of £10,000 to help revitalise their community.

More than 50 people aged 75 to 101 are set to benefit from the funding awarded to those living at Angel Court in Gateshead.

In recent months weve been supporting tenants living at the sheltered housing scheme to build links with their community and improve their health and wellbeing through creativity.

The Awards for All grant from the Big Lottery fund will give tenants the opportunity to take part in a year-long programme of diverse events and activities.

Group secretary Irene Coatesworth, 76, has lived at Angel Court, run by Gateshead Housing Company, since it opened five years ago. She said: “We are all thrilled to receive this funding which will help make a real difference to all who live here. “We hope to give people a new purpose and bring them down to the lounge as it can be quiet at times.

"With these exciting activities we hope to revitalise our community and for people to get to know one another as friends rather than anonymous neighbours.”

A number of the sessions will be run by Equal Arts’ experienced artists supporting people to take part in gardening, visual arts, movement and music.

The group hope Angel Court will become a community within a community with other organisations visiting to join them for regular sessions.

Throughout the year there will also be transgenerational activities with children from Harlow Green Primary School, festivals and social events.

Danielle Giddens from Equal Arts said: “With the help of Big Lottery support these activities aim to help people of all abilities build relationships within their community.

“Being a part of something worthwhile can give people purpose and improves their wellbeing."

Find out more about working with Equal Arts here.