EMPOWERING My Community is a project that does exactly what it says on the tin.
Here to help: Support workers and volunteers from the Empowering My Community project run by East Marsh Involve, at Foresight. Front from left, volunteers David Reynolds, Nona Inkson, Mary Loraine and Andrew Harrison. Rear, from left, committee member Mick Inkson with support workers Becky Kurz, Abbie Taylor, Lisa Cook and Adam Boyes. Picture: Abby Ruston. Buy this photo at www.thisisphotosales.co.uk/grimsby or by contacting 08444 060910.
Based in the Foresight Building in Newmarket Street, the programme was launched last year by East Marsh Involve with funding from the Big Lottery.
Led by project supervisor Cat Howard, her team of four support workers and an army of volunteers, the scheme provides a variety of leisure activities for East Marsh residents, including Zumba and keep-fit classes and play sessions for both young and old
It also provides invaluable support for those looking to gain employment – vital in a ward which has the sixth highest proportion of out-of-work benefits claimants in the country.
"We support lots of people with job searches and CV writing", says Cat. "There are a lot of people out there looking for jobs and there are a lot of people without access to a computer
. We provide computer access and we also support them with their job searches."
Although many people walk into the centre seeking help and advice, the team get out into the community as much as possible to assess the needs of the local residents, having a presence at Freeman Street Market on market days.
EMpowering my Community
