Get up to £25000 to make your community project become a reality

We have teamed up with Together Mutual Insurance to offer up to £25,000 worth of funding towards a community project that will improve both the area and the lives of the residents.

The Better Together scheme aims to boost community spirit by supporting existing local projects, or kick-starting new ones, that bring people together for a better quality of life.

It is open to charities, community groups, action groups and neighbourhoods in the north west.

Whether it be landscaping a derelict area to create a children’s playground or providing equipment to start a communal vegetable garden, Better Together is open to all possibilities.

Depending on the entries received, the funding could be shared across more than one project.

Chris McElligott, head of marketing at home insurance specialist, Together Mutual, said: “Better Together aims to bring  communities together and, in turn, improve lives.

“It is our philosophy to put people  before profits and we have a long-standing heritage in charity projects such as this.

“We are seeing a worrying decline in community spirit with as much as half the country unaware of their neighbours’ names.

 “Recent events highlight that, as a nation, we can  achieve great things together – just look at the London 2012 Olympics and Diamond Jubilee.

“With Better Together, we are looking for projects and ideas that will make a real difference to people and encourage a greater sense of community in the area; even the smallest changes can have a really positive effect.”

The winning project or projects will receive both funding and labour to complete the required works, which will be carried out by Groundwork MSSTT – an environmental regeneration charity that works in  partnership with people to deliver a range of projects.

Entries are open now and close on Friday, March 21, when judges will decide on a shortlist.           

Readers will then be able to vote for the winner or winners.

Entrants need to submit a 200-word description of the project and how it will contribute to the local community, along with two or three high resolution photos. For further details, visit togetherinsurance.co.uk/better.