County council funding to help Tewkesbury Access Forum improve access for residents
The funding awarded by Cllr Dr Kate Usmar, county councillor for Tewkesbury and cabinet member for Adult Support and Independence, will support Tewkesbury Access Forum's work to improve accessibility and inclusion across the town.
The Grassroots Neighbourhood Fund gives each of the county's 55 councillors up to £20,000 to invest in local projects that improve health, wellbeing and community resilience. Grants between £250 and £5,000 are available for initiatives that address local needs, tackle inequalities, and help communities to thrive.
Tewkesbury Access Forum brings together volunteers with lived experience, councillors and professional organisations, all collaborating to enhance accessibility across Tewkesbury town centre.
By working in partnership, this diverse group aims to make Tewkesbury more inclusive for everyone. Residents are invited to learn about the forum's ongoing projects and share their thoughts on how accessibility can be further improved across the town.
Cllr Dr Kate Usmar said: " Tewkesbury Access Forum are an amazing group of individuals turning their own experiences of access difficulties into a force for good in our town. From wheelchair users to people with sensory differences, people living with hidden disabilities, carers - they bring their own unique perspectives, shaping projects to make our town more accessible for everyone.
“This grant shows that a relatively small grant can make a huge difference. This funding enabled the Forum to do all the necessary administrative things to turn a group of determined people into a recognised organisation and take their work on to the next level. I'm so pleased that the Grassroots Neighbourhood Fund is helping local projects like this make a real difference in our communities."
Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, cabinet member for Public Health, Communities and Fire, said: "It's great to see funding from the Grassroots Neighbourhood Fund supporting projects that make such a positive difference to local people. Initiatives like the Tewkesbury Access Forum help create stronger, more inclusive communities by bringing people together to identify and address barriers to accessibility. These local projects play an important role in improving wellbeing and helping our communities thrive."
For more information about the Grassroots Neighbourhood Fund, visit: Grassroots Neighbourhood Fund.