Big Local was a programme funded through the National Lottery which, for ten years, supported residents in over 100 communities across the UK to deliver initiatives that would support their local residents.
In 2013, Big Local North Cleethorpes (BLNC) was setup to support a specific geographical area around Sidney Sussex and Croft Baker wards of Cleethorpes and to deliver support projects that would support residents and the community in that area.
Big Local North Cleethorpes formally ends at the end of 2024, but many of the projects begun by Big Local either continue or leave a legacy to the local community.
This website explains what is still current, active or available from Big Local North Cleethorpes, and a website coming later in 2024 will look back at the legacy of the decade long programme.
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More information…
Nationally, Local Trust was the organisations responsible for running the Big Local programme using National Lottery funding.
Over 100 areas across the country had a Big Local area setup.
Big Local North Cleethorpes was established in 2013.
A partnership committee led by local residents and involving local partners was established to oversee the delivery of the funding locally.
Each Big Local area has an LTO (Locally Trusted Organisation) which holds funds, can employee staff, deals with contracts etc and is responsible for delivery of local plans and for reporting back to Local Trust. For Big Local North Cleethorpes this organisation was local charity VANEL (Voluntary Action North East Lincolnshire). VANEL has remained the LTO throughout the programme through to 2025.
In North Cleethorpes the partnership quickly agreed to employ part-time Development Workers to deliver the programme effectively. From 2013 – 2022 the key Development Worker was John Mooney. Karl Elliott took over as Development Worker in 2022 when John retired although Karl had been involved with Big Local for several years previously.
The first project undertaken by Big Local North Cleethorpes was the refurbishment of the Sussex Rec Pavilion which, as a result of investment of money and volunteer time, reopened to support the community.
In 2019 we opened the new community hub at 82 Grimsby Road which remains open after the project concludes. The building itself is held in a trust by local social enterprise Capacity Buildings Ltd who maintain the premises and hold it for the future benefit of the North Cleethorpes community.
Big Local North Cleethorpes has continued to deliver projects supporting the community from 2014 until 2024.
Keep an eye on this website for latest information and updates.