Funding secures Lighthouse Project future for next three years

Lighthouse Project staff team, in the centre, Dave Melia, Cath Stott (with the cake), Pam Semp, and Carl Roach behind, along with members of the weekly photography group which meets every Wednesday

The Lighthouse Project in Middleton celebrated its 9th birthday last week and there was much to celebrate as it was confirmed on 11 June that the project's future for the next three years has been secured with an award from the National Lottery Community (NLF) fund.

Carl Roach, development manager for Inspire Middleton, the charity which runs the Lighthouse Project, says: “It was hard work putting the bid together, and quite a challenge knowing that everything we said could help or hinder our bid, especially knowing that the outcome would affect many thousands of lives.”

“It costs us around £160,000 a year to cover our basic cost so it is quite a responsibility knowing that the future of the project is in your hands when putting such significant bids together.

“We appreciated the help and support from had from our local NLF funding manager to compile the application, which included a video of visitors giving testimony about how the project has changed their lives, along with volunteer and staff stories, a commendation and encouragements by patron Steve Coogan and actor Michael Sheen, as well as a virtual tour around the Lighthouse facilities.”

The Lighthouse is arranging a public open day for July where there will be guided tours of the building and an opportunity to find out all about the different works and activities that are available in the centre.

Carl said: “On Friday 21 June the group is also hosting a celebration event with its Volunteers to mark the recent national ‘Volunteer Week’, and to say thank you for the contribution that our volunteer team make to all of our activities, without them we couldn’t do what we do to the extent that we do it. Together we are definitely stronger!

“The group is organising three days of food collections in Tesco Extra on 27, 28 & 29 of June as part of a ‘food-raising’ initiative to support Middleton Central Foodbank and to replenish depleted stocks. If anyone is interested in helping volunteer for the collections please get in touch with us at the Lighthouse Project on 0161 643 1163, and if you see us whilst we are collecting please say hello!”