Anfield Breckside Community Council win Big Society Award
Anfield Breckside Community Council, an organisation that engages and supports local people to bring about change in their area, is the latest winner of the Prime Minister's Big Society Awards.
ABCC is an umbrella group that works with 14 residents associations, linking different groups together, providing training and advice, assisting with securing funding, helping the community with planning and regeneration and resolving issues such as anti-social behaviour.
Moreover, the organisation has empowered residents of all ages to play an active part in improving their area, whether through volunteering to teach cookery or IT, or by getting involved in local decision making and community positions such as Neighbourhood Management, the Local Police Citizens panel and Crime Fighters Champions.
The Prime Minister said:
The long list of brilliant projects ABCC is involved in is testament to the hard work, dedication and creativity of all those involved.
One of the most impressive aspects of ABCC is the way it has inspired people of all ages to get involved in improving their area themselves, making the decisions that will shape their neighbourhood and taking on community positions.
Congratulations to Ruth and everyone at ABCC. Your work is creating a stronger community and an excellent example of the Big Society.
Ruth Little, Community Development Manager at Anfield Breckside Community Council said:
I am delighted that ABCC have received this award. This is an acknowledgement of all the hours of hard work volunteers do to support Anfield in so many ways, from helping in our Priory Road shop or community centre, or through active involvement in residents groups. We are working with partners to develop initiatives to bring about lasting changes for individuals, families and the wider community.
This summer ABCC are undertaking a summer build camp, providing a range of skills in construction, joinery and public planning; and they will also run a programme called the ‘Trash Army’, which will support neighbourhood clean-up programmes.
Notes to Editors
Some of the key projects ABCC are involved in include:
- Men-only cooking sessions - providing skills and experience in cooking.
- Back to basics - cooking for beginners, and those with learning difficulties
- Positively Inspired Parents ‘Raising the aspiration of the parent to raise the attainment of the child’ This programme works closely with parents in whatever area of family life is important to them from school support, health and wellbeing, training, and benefit and financial advice.
- Family Food Nights - this programme provides families with opportunities to cook and eat together, learning health nutrition and budgeting skills.
- Credit Union. ABCC has been developing its partnership with Central Liverpool Credit Union.
- Residents groups are currently undertaking an area-wide road show to encourage wider participation and involvement in decision making, as part of the stronger communities & Beautiful North programmes.
ABCC also runs a range of programmes and activities to encourage greater citizenship and raise the young person’s aspirations and skills providing them with opportunities for different experiences both within the community and the wider city