The Liverpool ONE Foundation has distributed over £250,000 to local community and voluntary groups in Merseyside, aiming to improve the lives of people and communities across Merseyside.

The grants are the first round of funding for a new partnership between the Liverpool ONE Foundation and the Community Foundation for Merseyside, who administer the programme. The Liverpool ONE Foundation has committed funds to the voluntary and community sector by also creating an endowment fund, ensuring sustainable support for future generations.

One of the recipients was Litherland Youth Centre, who received a grant for £5,000 to deliver an accredited training programme to young people from the area in food hygiene as well as developing cooking skills, nutritional knowledge and increase self-confidence. Other recipients included Liverpool Lighthouse and The Masque Theatre Company amongst the 59 community and voluntary groups awarded funding.

The Liverpool ONE Foundation, supported by private sector partners and the Duke of Westminster’s Westminster Foundation, has a strategic view to support the community. Speaking of the partnership, The Duke of Westminster said: “I am particularly proud of the 5,000 full-time jobs that have been created as a consequence of Liverpool One, quite apart from the 3,000 jobs that came with its construction. Yet, not far from the city centre are pockets of some of the worst deprivation in the country. The charitable foundation set up by Grosvenor and our partners is channeling funds through the Community Foundation for Merseyside. I believe Liverpool’s renewed confidence can spread to benefit the whole north-west”.

Cathy Elliott, Chief Executive of the Community Foundation for Merseyside stated: “The commitment that Liverpool ONE Foundation, the Duke of Westminster and all the stakeholders have shown to Merseyside’s communities is outstanding. The Community Foundation is an enthusiastic promoter of philanthropy. We aim to enrich the lives of people in and around Merseyside and through them create united, thriving and prosperous communities. This first round of funds will only help to achieve that aim”.

The next closing date for applications for the Liverpool ONE Foundation, administered by the Community Foundation for Merseyside, is Friday 9th April, for more information visit the Available Grants section of the website.