IT WAS a double celebration this week as two different community organisations mutually enjoyed each other’s success.
Love Growth Network is a Redditch based CIC established by two Polish women, Monika Lenard and Monica Sienko, to empower and connect women across the county.
The organisation focuses on supporting marginalised and vulnerable women both in Redditch and across Worcestershire, predominantly, though not exclusively, from Eastern and Central Europe.
They offer support, training and wellbeing therapies and work alongside professional agencies which assist women in need.
Registered earlier this year, Love Growth Network has just obtained its first funding, from Worcestershire County Council’s Public Health Stay Connected grant.
Monika said: “The grant will enable Love Growth Network to deliver a targeted wellbeing initiative for Eastern and Central European women in Worcestershire, many of whom face significant challenges such as language barriers, limited access to services and increasing social isolation.
“These factors often contribute to mental health difficulties, yet many of the women affected remain unseen by mainstream services and unable to articulate the support they need.
“Through this funding Love Growth Network is establishing a programme of Women’s Wellbeing Workshops, offering both group and one-to-one sessions focused on mental health, self-care, stress management, self-esteem, and navigating local services.”
The grant too is yet another bonus for Community Boost the Worcestershire organisation that has helped many local community and voluntary groups access grant funding.
Keith Slater, the man behind The Boost, worked with Monika on this application and it was this grant for Love Growth Network that meant Community Boost hit yet another milestone and has now helped to generate over £2.25million in grant funding for community organisations.
Keith said: “I know the bulk of this funding has gone back into Worcestershire’s local economy.
“But even more importantly the funding is supporting organisations, like Monika’s, which are rapidly becoming the backbone of much of our daily lives and are quietly supporting so many vulnerable and worried people.
“Hitting this little milestone really is a tribute to all the many local people and organisations who have all been able to give their time and their backing to Community Boost.
“And now? Let’s see how quickly we can generate the next £250,000 to hit £2.5million.”
