Jigsaw (Bury) wins Big Lottery Fund grant

Bury-based charity Jigsaw (Bury) has been awarded £306K from Big Lottery funds to help finance its work with local disabled people over the next five years.

Jigsaw (Bury) operates under the Jigsaw and Jigsaw Link names.  Jigsaw provides social, sporting and health opportunities for local disabled people in the 13-30 year old age group, whereas Jigsaw Link provides a one to one befriending service and social outings for local disabled people in the 50+ age group.

Chairman of Trustees, Mark O’Brien, said “I am delighted that Jigsaw has been given this platform from which to continue its valuable work. Having been a Jigsaw member myself for many years I have experienced first hand the enormous benefits the service offered by our outstanding coordinators, group leaders and volunteers provides, and I’m over the moon that we will now be able to maintain and develop this with the help of Reaching Communities.”   

The grant will be used to support and expand the current programmes designed to help local disabled people to become more independent with a ‘Making the most of Me’ programme for 16-30 year olds, giving them skills in assertiveness, independent living, money management, personal hygiene and dignity, safety and healthy living.

Improve self-esteem with ‘feel good workshops’ in laughter, yoga and compliment sessions. Help to lead a healthier lifestyle by offering an exercise programme for 16-30s including swimming, aerobics and gym sessions plus a focus on healthy eating with 24 sessions each year; including shopping, cooking and awareness sessions. This will also include celebrating different cultural dishes and see the creation of a Jigsaw cookbook with recipes from participants.

Furthermore the project will aim to overcome social isolation by offering an older people's active living programme, luncheon club and befriending scheme, plus visits to other community provisions, local places of interest and sessions on dealing with anxiety, relaxation and exercise, plus inter-generational skills sharing - boccia, knitting, creative arts - and sharing experiences.

The project will also feature a new volunteer development programme, to recruit, train and support volunteers for one-to-one, phone support and group activities. Particular focus will be placed on recruiting disabled volunteers.

Jigsaw Coordinator Paul McCormick adds: “This award will allow Jigsaw to plan for the future and to greatly increase the level of our service and the numbers of people we can support over the next five years. In particular we will need to recruit many more people for 1:1 befriending for the Jigsaw Link service.”

Jigsaw (Bury) is a member led organisation that aims to promote fun freedom & independence for disabled people in the Bury Metropolitan area. We support people to form and maintain friendships and enjoy an active social life. The social & sport activities and befriending scheme we coordinate aim to prevent social isolation; improve self-esteem, health and community integration.

If you would like any further information about Jigsaw or Jigsaw Link; please contact us on:

Tel: 0161 253 6853 or email jigsaw@bury.gov.uk

You can also visit our website: jigsawbury.org.uk

ENDS

Issued: 23 July 2013.