The Evelyn Locality Fund special voting event was held on 21 February 2009 at the Lewington Centre on Silwood Estate.
The event, based on the principles of participatory budgeting, was attended by over 50 residents who were there to vote on the 16 applications received for the Evelyn Locality Fund. Eight of the 16 applicants received funding for their projects.
At the end of the voting each group was asked if it would be able to give some funding back to help another project which did not receive funding. Most groups willingly obliged and therefore a total of nine projects received funding.
These are as follows:
- Xpress Yourself at Lewington Centre (series of intergenerational workshops) - £1,252
- Riverside Youth Club 40th anniversary event - £1,400
- 'Inspiring your Imagination' film production course - £1,360
- Riverside Youth Club welcome sign - £1,000 (Brighter Future Project)
- Teachsport multi-sport activities for young people - £1,300
- weekly art therapy group (Co-opepys) - £1,162
- Emmanuel Childcare after-school activities - £1,500
- 2000 Community Action Centre computer upgrade - £1,400
- culinary and cultural workshops - £1,126 (Soul Food 4 All Hi 5ive! Project).
The day went really well and was enjoyed by all. Most people felt that the event was well organised and the presentations were well received.
We would like to offer a special thank you to the Riverside steel pan band who provided the entertainment on the day.
Patricia Okonkwo of the Lewington Centre said of the event: 'Evelyn Locality Fund Event was held at the Lewington Centre on the Silwood Estate. The Lewington Centre is a new purpose-built state of the art community resource centre. The event had a relaxed yet business-like feel, with all participants able to contribute to the process.'