A NEW fund has been set up to help communities in Cheshire West.

The ForCheshireWest Fund has been launched by housing management provider ForHousing in partnership with Cheshire Community Foundation.

ForHousing, which manages more than 5,500 homes in Ellesmere Port, Neston and Winsford on behalf of Cheshire West and Chester Council, approached the foundation with a view to setting up a community fund.

ForHousing has made a commitment to donate £25,000 per annum and is now hoping other organisations and businesses will get involved.

The first two projects to be supported by the ForCheshireWest Fund are Bridge Wellness Gardens in Ellesmere Port and Young Enterprise.

Bridge Wellness Gardens provides a therapeutic and caring environment for those with learning disabilities and difficulties, mental health issues and those who are facing long term unemployment

Young Enterprise, set up in 1962, has established itself as the UK’s leading charity empowering young people to develop their personal and business skills.

Sharon Wallace, strategic housing lead for ForHousing, said: “We wanted to establish a new way to deliver community funds which will have a lasting legacy in Cheshire West.

“With Cheshire Community Foundation managing the Fund, our ambition is to create a fund that grows year-on-year – allowing larger amounts of money to be distributed to the local community. We are delighted to be working with them to improve lives.”

Zoe Sheppard, CEO of Cheshire Community Foundation, added: “It is an honour that ForHousing has chosen to work with Cheshire Community Foundation to become the founding partner for the ForCheshireWest Fund.

“Their generous donation demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to invest in local communities, particularly those who are vulnerable or in need.

“The requirement to support areas in Cheshire can be a real challenge as the needs of neighbourhoods are hidden behind the affluent reputation of the county.

“There is also a shortage of funding in Cheshire West which has meant that a number of highly regarded project applications have gone unfunded.

“ForHousing has recognised this need and will hopefully encourage other companies in Cheshire West to contribute to the fund.”

The ForCheshireWest Fund is particularly looking to support charities which help to tackle issues including mental health, lack of employment and training opportunities, health and wellbeing and social isolation within communities.

Any companies which would like to find out more about becoming a partner of the ForCheshireWest Fund should contact Claire Houston-Holland at Cheshire Community Foundation on 01606 330607.

Claire said: “Grant-making through Cheshire Community Foundation will ensure that your corporate giving and employee fundraising has the greatest possible impact on the lives of local people, now and long into the future.”