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Community led organisation WestRaven Big Local welcomed MP Stewart Jackson last Friday, to discuss exciting and ambitious community improvements in the Westwood and Ravensthorpe areas. 

In 2012 Westwood and Ravensthorpe were identified as one of four areas in the Eastern region in need of extra community investment, and was awarded a £1m grant from the Big Lottery Fund to help make improvements to the local area.

WestRaven Big Local is the local community led organisation in place to represent the residents of Westwood and Ravensthorpe in Peterborough, working in partnership with local organisations, and Cross Keys Homes to decide where the Big Local grant will be spent to make lasting community improvements. Cross Keys Homes are the Locally Trusted Organisation chosen by the WestRaven Big Local partnership to administer and account for the distribution of funding on behalf of the partnership.

The community set the priorities for the first Local Plan and the first part of the money was drawn down in September 2015.

The WestRaven Big Local partnership have been working hard to deliver these priorities and works have started on the Community Garden on Hartwell Way, as well as the WestRaven community café in Hampton Court.

The café will not only serve locally sourced sustainable meals, but also host a young people’s space and provide a facility for residents to gain training, qualifications and a homework club for children.

Commenting on the projects, Stewart Jackson said “WestRaven Big Local’s focus for community improvement is brilliant news. It is important to keep a strong community base and the community hub, new community café, and communal gardens projects will see the Westwood and Ravensthorpe areas go from strength to strength.

“It is imperative that we have something for every member of the community: it’s important that we can support the elderly through the café, to provide a place for them to go out and socialise, and it is important that families will be able to go into the café to receive help and improve their overall health and well being.

“It’s brilliant news to see that WestRaven Big Local is designing something ambitious and exciting that is run by local people”.

 WestRaven Big Local are planning a grand opening and community celebration for the new WestRaven café over the Easter weekend at the Hampton Court precinct in Westwood. To find out more visit www.westraven.co.uk.