After attending Community team training on bid writing in the autumn, Amanda gained the skills and confidence to apply for funding through the National Lottery initiative and successfully secured £20,000 to turn her vision into a reality.  

Having seen the impact community spaces have in other academies, Amanda had the innovative idea to transform an unused storage container on the academy site into a fully functioning community facility.

Within her bid, she discussed the possibility of repurposing the container into a welcoming space where families and community members could access affordable food and hygiene products and this vision will soon become a reality thanks to her successful bid.

The £20,000 grant will now enable key upgrades to the container, including installing an electrical supply, fitting a skylight and adding shelving. The improvements will create a functional, inviting space designed to meet the needs of the local community.

Adele Clarke, Headteacher at Co-op Academy Woodlands, has been in full support of the project, recognising its importance for local families. She said: “I cannot wait to see this up and running. It’s a wonderful way to support our community and bring people together.”

Liz Gariity, Head of Community, said: “As part of their professional development, all Academy Community Pioneers (ACPs) were offered an opportunity to attend a bid writing session delivered by Angus Martin who supports Co-op Academies Trust with writing bids.

“We have seen many academies benefit from the wonderful work of ACPs in gaining funding to support the academies with their new projects and we’re really pleased to see Amanda use it to make such a positive impact within Co-op Academy Woodlands.”

Once open, the community space will provide essential items for families. Mrs. Heron expressed her excitement about the project, saying: “I can’t wait to see the end result and look forward to continuing to support our families and community.”