A community worker in Peasedown St John, who has spent the last three years helping some of the younger and more vulnerable members of the community, has received a grant in support of his work.
Andy Stockinger, from St John’s Church, has been awarded £500 from the Party in the Park Grant Fund, which was set up five years ago to support community initiatives in the village.
Last week Peasedown Party in the Park festival team members Nathan Hartley and Karen Walker visited the village’s new credit union, which has been set up by Andy to provide a safer alternative to pay day loan sharks.
Nathan Hartley, the innovator behind Party in the Park seven years ago, is the festival team’s chairman.
He said: “When the festival team decided to launch our very own grant fund in 2009 we did so on the premise that the funding could go directly to supporting Peasedown projects that make a difference in people’s lives.
“This is exactly why we decided to fund Andy Stockinger’s work. He is someone who goes out of his way to help others.
“Since 2012 he has volunteered at Peasedown Youth Centre, set up a breakfast club for primary school children, ran school holiday clubs, mentored young people who need extra support, and founded this brand new credit union for the community.”
Peasedown’s Credit Union, which is a branch of Somerset Savings and Loans, is open every Wednesday afternoon from 1pm-3pm at St John’s Church, Church Road.
For further details residents can call 01275 390650.
Since 2010, the Party in the Park Grant Fund has given £7,000 away to community groups, initiatives and projects in Peasedown St John, many would have struggled financially otherwise.
In January, festival organisers will be re-opening the grant fund, revealing the date of the 2016 summer event, and announcing the names of newcomers to the organising team for the year ahead.
For more information about Peasedown Party in the Park, and the grant fund, visit www.peasedownpartyinthepark.org.uk or follow @peasedown_party on twitter.