We Are Fish are a local community action project who have become very active in North Cleethorpes and have been very supported by Big Local to ensure their projects make an impact on our community
When? about 2021-2025
Partners: We Are Fish. Green Influencers.
About We Are Fish
In their own words:Â
We are a community based, not for profit organisation focused on supporting members of our community, particularly young people and families. Through our various activities such as our community cafe, volunteer opportunities, and youth activities, we aim to improve the health and well-being of individuals by providing access to outdoor sports and our community allotments. Our mission is to empower individuals who may lack self-esteem and confidence, and create opportunities for socialisation, networking, and fostering a sense of belonging within the community.
Connecting with Big Local
Many of the projects that We Are Fish have been involved with are within the North Cleethorpes area, so Big Local North Cleethorpes has been keen to engage with the group and support them where necessary.
Some of the key programmes and activities that have benefitted North Cleethorpes:
The Sidney Sussex Pavilion. We Are Fish stepped in to take over the running of the Pavilion after the previous lead – Steve Pygott – passed away. Big Local North Cleethorpes supported the group to restructure themselves and get connected to take up the lease.
Since then (2023), Big Local North Cleethorpes has continued to work very closely with We Are Fish at the Pavilion – including holding events there; the community shredder is there; we promote events between each other and much more.
Read more about the redevelopment of the Pavilion here.
The TickART office at Cleethorpes Station. Big Local North Cleethorpes had been previously very connected to the redevelopment of the ‘old Cycle Hub’ building at the Station – including funding the access ramp. So when the building became vacant we were supportive of the efforts by We Are Fish and local artist Lyns Powles to take over the lease from Transpennine Express to reopen the building as a community youth arts space.
Read more about the TickART office redevelopment here.
Pitstop in the Park. This community cafe space in Sidney Park was originally managed by community group KDARS but We Are Fish took over the lease and now run the cafe. Big Local North Cleethorpes had previously funded the painting of a GTFC mural on the rear wall of the Pitstop, but as part of our Urban Arts Festival funding in 2023 we sponsored the funding of the front of the Pitstop too.
See more here about the mural painting as part of our 2023 Urban Arts project.
Junior Football. We Are Fish support a number of Junior football teams – including ones at Sidney Park and Sussex Rec within the Big Local area. Previously Big Local and the Hangout youth group have sponsored kit and and equipment for the Sidney Sussex junior team.
Green Influencers. We Are Fish ran a Green Influencers group from Carr Lane allotments for a couple of years. Green Influencers was a VANEL supported initiative and Big Local North Cleethorpes supported We Are Fish to set up a Green Influencers group on their newly established community allotments and to apply for (and receive) a range of green influencer specific funding. Big Local North Cleethorpes also supported We Are Fish at the time with a small ‘getting ready’ grant to help them establish their various activities within North Cleethorpes. On the allotments We Are Fish have also been able to run ‘community feast’ events; all kinds of community volunteering and to generally support the community through ‘green’ activities.
Read more about the community allotments here and the Green Influencers groups here.
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Big Local North Cleethorpes have been pleased to be able to find ways to support We Are Fish in their various programmes that operate in the North Cleethorpes are and bring benefits to the local residents.
As well as all the projects that Big Local North Cleethorpes has specifically connected to We Are Fish for, there are of course all their usual activities which support young people and families within the area. They continue to provide a great level of support to the local community
Images reflecting We Are Fish
