In July 2011, Enter CIC were successful in their application to the Big Lottery Reaching Communities Fund and we were awarded £399,958.00. We were delighted to receive this news from Big Lottery and to hear that we had been awarded the grant. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Big Lottery for the award and for recognising the needs of the local community and providing us with an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young people living and working in South County Durham. The title of the Big Lottery programme is The Aspiration Project (TAP Into…….) and the overall aim is to engage people using community arts initiatives.
Over the past two years Enter CIC have been incredibly busy engaging young people in fantastic opportunities. Young people on The Aspiration Project (TAP Into……) have performed at Durham Cathedral, Gala Theatre (Durham) Sunderland Empire, Radio Awards, participated in work experience in West End Theatres (in London) gained qualifications and been actively focussed on improving their community.
Thanks to the funding from Big Lottery we have been able to provide unique training opportunities for adult volunteers which in turn have led to several volunteers gaining employment or engaging with further study. This type of activity is vital for encouraging social mobility and is extremely important to Enter CIC.
Community engagement is key to the work of Enter CIC. Thanks to funding from the Big Lottery we have been able to design projects that break down inter-generational barriers, bring people together and create community events that are reminiscent of bygone days when camaraderie was king and neighbours had shared goals and worked together to forge strong community links and environments.
This project has rekindled the spirits and emotions of many people living and working in our community. We regularly open our local paper to find wonderful articles written about the work of Enter and the people engaged on our programmes.
“Just a big thank you for inviting us to the performance last night. The story and local history side of things was fascinating, and the show itself brilliant to watch. I should think the young people are getting so much from being involved and working with professionals, and also seeing how something like this comes together. Thank you for the warm welcome and acknowledgement of the funding”
Emma Snowdon, Communications Manager, Big Lottery Fund
Emma Snowdon, Communications Manager, Big Lottery Fund
Since our projects inception we have worked hard to bring the fantastic work, talents and successes of our local community to the attention of an array of dignitaries and in so doing have garnered the support of an array of dignitaries. It is a privilege to be able to regularly welcome Mrs Sue Snowden, Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham to our events and also to receive support from local parliament representatives and the county council.
“I have this morning read with great interest your mission statement ‘Aspirations and opportunities’. You are certainly reaching your goals as Linda and I experienced on Wednesday evening you are giving young people the opportunity to enrich their lives. It was a privilege and a pleasure to meet you all. Please pass on my best wishes to your team and cast.”
Sue Snowdon, Lord-Lieutenant, Her Majesty The Queen’s personal representative
Sue Snowdon, Lord-Lieutenant, Her Majesty The Queen’s personal representative
We are all looking forward to our third year of the Aspiration project and we look forward to once again making a difference to our local community. Please take a look around our website to see the projects funded by Big Lottery.
