COMMUNITY groups across the rural west area are celebrating after successfully bidding for funding from a £20,000 Wellbeing Grant.

Made available through Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Rural West Area Partnership Board, in partnership with the Chairman’s Discretionary Fund at NHS Western Cheshire, and aimed at promoting the national ‘2010 Decade of Health and Wellbeing’ campaign, the projects had to involve one or more of the campaign’s five themes - Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning, and Give.

Twelve projects throughout the wards of Broxton, Gowy, Mickle Trafford, Neston and Parkgate, and Ledsham and Willaston received funding ranging from £950 to £2000 following successful bids including a cycling group, a village sports and recreation day, a community garden, a summer play scheme, the development of an Ecumenical Singers group, and a bowling shelter.

Hosted by John Church, the chairman of NHS Western Cheshire, the event allowed successful groups to share information about their projects, with each group giving a presentation on their individual scheme.

Additional support was also on hand from Cheshire West and Chester’s External Funding team, NHS Western Cheshire and Cheshire Community Action.

Councillor Lynn Riley, Executive Member for Community and Environment, said: “This has been a great opportunity for residents to work together to produce the changes they want within their communities, with the flexible themes meaning that a wide variety of projects could be considered.

“This funding will enable residents to create and design projects that are specific to the needs and wellbeing of their community whilst helping to build stronger and healthier communities as a whole.

“It shows just one of the many ways in which the council, along with partners such as NHS Western Cheshire, continually supports ‘the big community’ vision and encourages and enables groups, individuals and local councils to take the lead.”Š

Parish councils, rural organisations and community groups across the rural west area of West Cheshire were urged to claim their share of a £20,000 health and wellbeing grant in December 2010.

Evidence has shown that building small actions around the campaign’s five themes into daily life can improve general health and wellbeing leading to longer healthier lives.

Deputy chair of Saughall and Shotwick Park Parish Council, Dennis Holman, said: “The money will be put to extremely good use - very many thanks indeed.”

For a full list of successful projects please visit www.westcheshiretogether.gov.uk

The Rural West area covers the villages and towns in the wards of Broxton, Gowy, Mickle Trafford, Neston, Parkgate, Ledsham and Willaston.