Funding boost of £237,000 for Creative Fenland
Creative Fenland has been awarded over £237,000 by Cambridgeshire Community Foundation and UK Community Foundations, thanks to the UK Government’s Know Your Neighbourhood Fund. One of 25 organisations awarded funding by UK Community Foundations in the East of England, the funding will ensure Creative Fenland’s expansion until 2025 and will aim to increase volunteering, while tackling loneliness creatively.
Creative Fenland was launched in 2022 by Cambridge Community Arts, which has been running creative arts activities in Fenland since 2018. Creative Fenland uses the transformational power of creative arts to connect with people and communities, improving health and wellbeing. The project runs high-quality creative arts activities with local artists to engage with socially isolated people, effectively tackling loneliness.
Jane Rich, CEO of Cambridge Community Arts, said: “We are thrilled to receive this generous grant that will enable us to continue our creative provision in Fenland. The creative community in Fenland is strong and deserves this considerable investment which will benefit many people.”
The project received two years of funding from the Arts Council in 2022 and the new funding will support the continuation of the project’s creative activities until 2025. It will also support the development of the Creative Fenland Hub, a creative community of over 160 members for those who have a passion for creativity to connect with one another.
The funding has also enabled the appointment of a Creative Volunteering Officer. This pivotal role will play a central part in creating valuable volunteering opportunities for those seeking experience within the arts and cultural sectors, in their local communities. Working closely with local partners, Creative Fenland hope to boost volunteering in Fenland.
Cllr Chris Seaton, Portfolio Holder for Culture at Fenland District Council, said: “It is brilliant to see Creative Fenland has been awarded funding through the Government’s Know Your Neighbourhood Fund. This opportunity to grow creative activities aimed at tackling loneliness in Fenland is really welcome news and it’s great that the Creative Fenland Hub can continue to support local artists, creatives and partners across Fenland with this funding too. We are happy to support this project and look forward to seeing it continue to grow and develop.”
Find out more about Creative Fenland by visiting their website: www.creativefenland.org.uk
