The Woodsmith Foundation has awarded grants totalling almost £250,000 towards initiatives that will support local communities from Teesside to Scarborough.

Seventy organisations received grants from the Foundation, an independent charity funded by Anglo American, to help them deliver a range of programmes.

Scarborough Pride will use their grant to offer meaningful support and activities for the LGBT+ community in the Scarborough Borough.

“We’re thrilled to receive this funding from the Woodsmith Foundation, it will really help us offer support to increase health and wellbeing, promote inclusivity and provide opportunities for our community to unite and support each other, including the creation of a Youth Committee and a new webpage signposting people to services that support the LGBT+ community,” said Sarah Fenwick, Head of Fundraising for Scarborough Pride.

Loftus Town Council received a grant to help them start a gardening club for local residents.

“This will make a positive difference to a diverse section of the community. Many of our residents do not have access to their own outside space so this grant will give everyone the opportunity to do some gardening and take the results home with them to enjoy,” said Sarah Yates from Loftus Town Council.

The Grenfell Club was awarded a grant of £4,800. “This funding will help us provide activities for adults with learning and physical disabilities, helping our most isolated members with complex needs, improve their confidence, health and wellbeing and reduce social exclusion,” said manager, Samantha Sheperia.

Woodsmith Foundation Chief Executive Leah Swain said: “Our Community Grants rounds support local people to make a measurable difference in their communities. From sports equipment to village hall refurbishments, social activities for all ages, and projects that support people who are disadvantaged due to unfavourable circumstances, we know the funding creates positive change.

“We expect to open for new applications for Community Grants in early March and look forward to supporting local people throughout 2023 and beyond.”

The Foundation was set up to bring wider community benefits in addition to the positive economic impact of the mine. It has supported almost 500 projects in Redcar and Cleveland Borough, Scarborough Borough and the North York Moors National Park since 2017.

Anglo American pledged a four-year, £4m funding package when it acquired the Woodsmith Project in March 2020.

For more information on the Foundation, visit www.woodsmithfoundation.org.uk.