West Midlands Mayor Andy Street says a caring community charity in Walsall is the perfect place to pioneer a new scheme to better connect people to nature.
Old Hall People’s Partnership – or OHPP – is a community charity that helps and supports local people through a range of services and projects.
OHPP was founded in Bentley in October 2000 by Denise Birkett and has since grown to make a difference across Walsall from its HQ at The People’s Partnership Centre, in Wing Close, Bentley.
Now the much-loved charity is one of the first three organisations across the region to receive a new Community Green Grant.
Mr Street, who leads the West Midlands Combined Authority, said: “The new community green grants scheme helps local groups and regional organisations to enhance green spaces across the West Midlands and give residents a chance to enjoy the benefits of nature right on their doorstep.
“Old Hall People’s Partnership isa a remarkable local group and the perfect place to get the scheme going.
“I’m thrilled to see these projects start to come to life, with each one bringing exciting plans to increase the biodiversity and tackle green deprivation within our region, as well as making spaces much more visually attractive to residents and visitors.”
Along with OHPP, Kings Rise Academy in Kingstanding and Sustainable Life in Birmingham have each secured funding from the Community Green Grants scheme.
Mr Street launched the scheme in January at an event hosted by the Canal & River Trust. It aims to fund projects that increase people’s access to nature, especially in deprived communities, by improving green spaces or enhancing the local environment in other ways, such as planting trees.
Each of these recipients were successful in applying under the small grant, meaning they will receive between £3,000 and £25,000 towards their goal.
The largest of the three grants was awarded to Sustainable Life, who received just over £16,000 to clear 1.6 acres of brambles at the Ten Acre site in Stirchley to make it more accessible to the public and to maintain habitats for local plants and wildlife.
In total, the WMCA has set aside £725,000 for the Community Green Grants for community groups, charities, community interest companies and environmental organisations that can show how their planned activities will have a positive impact on the environment.