Erdington Neighbourhood Network Scheme
Erdington NNS - An overview
The Erdington Neighbourhood Network Scheme (ENNS) is a community based, locally led organisation which has been established to support older adults and younger adults with registered needs to live independent and connected lives.
Erdington NNS brings together voluntary, community and social enterprise sector organisations to support older adults through the growth of networks and friendships, so that they can live independent and connected lives.
This is achieved by providing access to services, organisations and practitioners (ie social workers) who can help reduce isolation and promote and reinforce good health and wellbeing.
Witton Lodge Community Association and Compass Support work in partnership to cultivate a support network of organisations and agencies to establish a portfolio of resources which can deliver the solutions older people require to overcome challenges like poor physical and emotional health.
Erdington NNS will also provide investment to support the creation and development of activity which targets those individuals and organisations who identified as vulnerable.
Funding is available to establish activities and support services which benefit the health and wellbeing of older people living in the constituency. Under the scheme’s Small Grants Programme people can apply for projects from £250 up to £10,000. For further information call Debbie Bates on 0121 382 1930 or email: Debbie.bates@wittonlodge.org.uk
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Erdington Neighbourhood Network Scheme - ENNS
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Birmingham Connect Website
Our brand new Erdington NNS E-newsletter has now been published:
February 2023Click the button below to read/download your copy:
Click here to download
Relaunch
A relaunch event to celebrate the extension of the Erdington Neighbourhood Network Scheme (ENNS) drew an enthusiastic crowd of more than 20 local organisations.
The showcase event, held at The Sanctuary in Castle Vale, also put the spotlight on younger adults, with funding now available to support people aged 18-49 who suffer with long term disability.
Established in 2019, ENNS is a community based, locally-led network of organisations supporting older adults to live independent and connected lives.
Bringing together voluntary, community and social enterprise sector groups, ENNS has so far distributed close to £250,000 worth of funding to organisations which help the over 50s to live independent and connected lives.
Erdington NNS lead, Debbie Bates, said: “Witton Lodge Community Association and Compass Support have been working in partnership to cultivate a support network of organisations and agencies to establish a portfolio of resources which can deliver the solutions older people require to overcome challenges like poor physical and emotional health.
“It provides investment to support the creation and development of activity which targets those individuals and organisations who identified as vulnerable.”
Funding is available to establish activities and support services which benefit the health and wellbeing of local residents. Under the scheme’s Small Grants Programme people can apply for up to £10,000.
With the news that ENNS has been extended for a further five years, funding support has also been extended to help organisations which support younger adults, aged 18-49; those with additional needs.
“Targeting those who have long-term disabilities which mean they require care and support, money will be made available to assist those with a learning disability, physical disability, autism, mental health difficulties, sensory loss or impairment,” added Debbie
The aim of the ENNS is to increase the number of disabled adults and older people who are participating in, or supported by, community activities or groups in their neighbourhood and in doing so achieve one or more of the outcomes below.
- Increased Social Participation
- Healthier Lifestyles
- Maximised Income
- Housing which supports independence
- Carers feel more supported
For more information and a funding application pack, call Chantelle Holmes on 0121 382 1930 or email: Chantelle.holmes@wittonlodge.org.uk
Celebrate
Organisations from across North Birmingham attended an Erdington Neighbourhood Network Scheme (NNS) showcase event to celebrate the impact services have had on supporting elderly and vulnerable residents over the last 12 months.
The event, organised by scheme facilitators Witton Lodge Community Association and Compass Support, gave community groups funded through the Erdington NNS the chance to share their stories with each other and the benefits of the programme.
Professor Graeme Betts, Director of Adult Social Care at Birmingham City Council and Councillor Paulette Hamilton, the Council’s cabinet member for Health and Social care were both in attendance. They were joined by representatives from funded community assets Spring to Life, the Aston Villa Foundation, Erdington Litter Busters, Salus Fatigue Foundation and Upcycle and guests from John Taylor Hospice, Compass Support, Birmingham Voluntary Services Council, Sutton Coldfield NNS and West Midlands Fire Service.Also taking part were volunteer and befriender, Sharon Haden, and local resident Ranajit Chaudhuri, who both gave heart-warming accounts of how the NNS funded projects has helped them during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Since its launch in late 2019, Erdington NNS has distributed more than £170,000 worth of funding to organisations established to help the elderly and isolated to live independent and connected lives.
Health & Wellbeing Lead at Witton Lodge, Debbie Bates, said: “Erdington NNS is a locality and constituency based network of organisations and individuals, funded by Birmingham City Council, which enables engagement with community assets to support older people.
“The COVID19 pandemic has presented even tougher challenges for the people of Erdington to cope with but the organisations funded through Erdington NNS have excelled in reaching those who are vulnerable and most at risk and giving them a real sense of purpose and opportunity.”
Providing bespoke support to people in Erdington, Perry Common, Stockland Green, Kingstanding, Pype Hayes, Gravelly Hill and Castle Vale, the scheme has already;
- Approved 38 small grant applications and funded Volunteer Training via Capacity Building
- Created projects which have benefited 2,215 people
- Recruited and mobilised 152 volunteers to support the vulnerable
- Awarded more than £174,000 in grants to fund projects and activities
- Established a Citizens Panel of 30 local residents to help shape services
For more information on Erdington NNS and how it could help you please call Debbie Bates or Chantelle Holmes on 0121 382 1930.
Networking in North Birmingham
Organisations interested in the benefits and impact of Erdington NNS came together at a networking event.
The informal presentation at The 610 Centre was attended by organisations from a range of different sectors and included representatives from Birmingham City Council and The Aston Villa Foundation.
Hosted by Witton Lodge Community Association; in partnership with Compass Support, the event provided visitors with an opportunity to gauge the impact of funded schemes in improving the wellbeing of older residents and how they too could acquire financial support to run their own initiatives.
Debbie Bates, Health & Wellbeing Manager at Witton Lodge’ said: “Erdington NNS has had such a positive impact on so many lives, by bringing people together, reducing isolation and encouraging social engagement and connectivity in their communities.”
A formal presentation showcased a number of activities which have been launched through Erdington NNS and featured a video from the Short Heath Field Trust on their litter picking group the Short Heath Wombles.
In addition, Scott Baldwin, Volunteering Co-ordinator at Witton Lodge, spoke about the opportunities that exist for volunteering across Erdington and how people can access these.
For more information on Erdington NNS and how you can apply for funding of up to £10,000 to establish activities which benefit older residents, please call Chantelle Holmes on 0121 382 1930 or email: chantelle.holmes@wittonlodge.org.uk