FAMILIES on Droitwich’s Westlands estate enjoyed a little bit extra this Christmas thanks to generous donations from a local housing association.
Community projects Moving Forward and Starting Well – which are both based on the Westlands estate in Droitwich – were awarded grants by Platform Housing Group.
The donations are part of the social landlord’s yearly community kindness campaign, which saw it support 117 local specialist organisations, charities, food banks and events across its communities.
Overall the campaign donated £82,135 last year. The donations provided a Christmas meal for vulnerable people, a Christmas party for families and a Santa’s grotto.
The Moving Forward project is a community hub based at Westlands Community Centre, offering a wide range of services to local residents including a community fridge and a community cafe.
Nikki Beeston, project manager at Droitwich Spa CVS which runs the Moving Forward project said: “We are so grateful to Platform Housing Group for supporting us.
“Being able to provide some festive cheer to those who need it most was so heartwarming and means so much to our community.”
The Moving Forward project is a community hub based at Westlands Community Centre, offering a wide range of services to local residents including a community fridge and a community cafe. It’s funded by The National Lottery and helps organise activities and events, offers support and signposting and volunteering opportunities.
Chris Colley, community engagement officer at Platform Housing Group said: “We are so proud to be able to support such worthwhile projects.
“Moving Forward was chosen because of the fabulous work it undertakes and the real difference it makes to people’s lives on the estate.
“We chose to support the Christmas grotto organised by Starting Well due to how successful it was last year, bringing so much joy to local families.”
Tracy Duncan, parenting lead at Action for Children, which runs the Starting Well project, thanked Platform and spoke of how much the projects have brought together the community and provided families with a ‘real sense of place’.
