What does the Ground Floor Project do?

 We are many things to many, many people.

We are a direct provider of services

Maintain a play and leisure library for use by people with special educational needs – aged from 5 years to adult.

Provide first stop advice, support and assistance to anyone re appropriate agency referral.

Provide a number of environmental services – including providing a domestic battery-recycling centre and acting as a local entrust agency.

Provide employment training and work provision for young people through the New Deal volunteer option.

Provide a service to distribute unwanted equipment to voluntary groups throughout the borough.

Organise and run the local Toy Appeal every year.

Hebden Bridge Toy Appeal

We are a resource provider

We provide local community groups with access to office equipment for local community groups at cost – photocopying, computers etc.

Maintain a community and career Information library.

Provide office and meeting space including on a day-by-day basis including counselling and training facilities (primarily for young people – i.e. social services, behavioural support etc.)

Provide access to charitable status

Supporting funding applications, overseeing grants and grant-giving for non-charity community groups in the Upper Valley. Over the last few years we have helped bring over four million pounds of grant-aid to Calderdale.

Run a community Centre and venue

In addition to bringing a derelict building back into use for the whole community, we provide accommodation and resources to:

Self-help groups including mental health (depression, abuse survivors, schizophrenia sufferers - 16 years and older), home educators, health support groups (parents of drug users, alcoholics anonymous, pre-natal support and advice, racism and diversity, parent and toddlers etc.)

Community regeneration and environmental groups (Zion Housing Co-op, Fair trade, Treesponsibility, solar club, walk for the earth, local currency initiatives).

Leisure groups, many of whom provide for young people (Circus Skills, drumming groups, dance groups, theatrical groups, health groups (yoga for the elderly etc.), martial arts (t'ai chi, tae kwon do, women's-only karate etc.)

Community support organisations such as credit union, volunteer bureau, advice agencies.

 

Act as a community and local regeneration development agency

Providing funding advice and support for local community groups.

Helping to set-up and support local community initiatives, including help with constitutions, structure, good practice, finding volunteers, premises etc.

Providing a not-for-profit payroll service and accounting advice for local community groups.

Developing and helping to support local not-for-profit co-operatives such as (Community printshop – providing low-cost printing facilities to community groups, DOT-COMmunications – website designers and information providers, HourCar – environmentally friendly carshare and rideshare scheme).

Equipment loan scheme.

Start up new community initiatives and help support after independence (Alternative technology Centre, Kerbside, etc.)

 

Additional Resources

Children's Play Facilities
Community Arts
Display & Exhibition Space
Initial Counselling Facility
Meeting Space
Photocopying
Referral Agency
Training Facilities
Venue for Group & Events