Community grant project in Southampton

Did you know? If you’ve got an idea to help improve your community, we (your local NHS) could help with a grant of £500 to make it happen.

Ibrahim, 16 from Southampton, was one of the successful grant recipients and has used his grant to transform a run-down alleyway in his community, making it safe and useable for all. Ibrahim also secured funding from The Agency for Change, and through his project has achieved huge success, bringing the community together to help clear the alleyway and plans to have regular follow up sessions to keep it tidy.  

Ibrahim said in his report: “My project is about cleaning a neglected, fly-tipped alleyway, and transforming it into a safe space for the local community with the help of the community.”

Over the span of a weekend, a total of around 125 people came along to help and chip in. There were also donations of paint and brushes, and even food to keep the volunteers fed.

Thinking towards the future, Ibrahim added: “My plans for this project is to keep it clean with monthly clean ups or whenever it’s needed, and in order to do this I will need funding, so maybe from grants, residents, or even a GoFundMe. The impact I hope my project has is to inspire other people around the UK to transform their areas into safe spaces. I plan on making a template of how I managed to do my project and the steps needed, so if someone wants to do the same, they can.”

Ibrahim has just finished his GCSEs and is planning a career in dentistry. 

 The project even made BBC news Southampton teen transforms ‘unsafe’ alleyway with community – BBC News

Keep your eyes peeled for our next announcement of grant applications.

Follow @alivethealleyway on insta to keep up with the project