Community grant spreads the cost of friendship

Cost of living funding from Bury Council and Bury VCFA is supporting one local charity to help Bury young people with learning and physical disabilities.

The Friendship Circle successfully applied for a Community Cost of Living Fund grant of £1830 earlier this year.

The money is being used to hold special cost of living sessions with the young people which helps them with cooking on a budget, debt advice, mental health and wellbeing and advice to help them live independently.

The Friendship Circle was formed 15 years to change the lives of Jewish people with learning and physical disabilities. It offers its more than 160 members a wide range of social opportunities, helping to reduce loneliness, improve mental health and wellbeing, and increase confidence and self-esteem.

It runs a jam-packed programme of social and learning activities throughout the week, a thriving one-to-one buddy scheme, a growing teens division and range of skills-based schemes to help members advocate for themselves and support them into training and employment.

It works together with other local groups representing a range of faiths and communities.

Members are supported by 150 volunteers.

One recent session saw Jonny Wineberg from Jewish Action for Mental Health demonstrating easy meals to make on a budget.

Councillor Richard Gold, Cabinet Member for Finance and Communities said: “The Friendship Circle is an amazing organisation that helps young adults with learning and physical disabilities with social activities, general living activities and giving advice including how to cope with the cost-of-living crisis.

“One of the strengths is that there is one community group helping another community group which really does fit into our ethos at Bury Council of working together and working local.

“Through our Cost of Living community grants we’re helping organisations such as the Friendship Circle to put on events for their members and resident to help combat cost of living crisis. They provide invaluable information, support and resources at this difficult time.”

Beverley Rubin, Fundraising and Communications Manager for The Friendship Circle said: “Finding a safe haven of friendship for people with disabilities has always been a challenge.

“We began with one or two ad hoc activities a month for a handful of members, and have now evolved into a diverse and stimulating programme of activities enabling our members to forge lasting friendships, gain new skills and integrate into mainstream Jewish life whilst changing perceptions and attitudes towards disability in the community.

“The Friendship Circle has become a place where everyone has a chance to be themselves, where difference is celebrated and memories are made.

“The funding from Bury Council means we can add to our programme and support our members through the cost of living crisis with further activities.”

The Friendship Circle is just one of 24 groups that are being supported with Cost of Living grants. A further 26 groups have submitted proposals for the latest round of funds, the bids for which are being assessed and will be announced next month.

If you are struggling with the cost of living go to Bury Council’s website for support - https://www.bury.gov.uk/benefits or call: 0161 253 5400.