News on HS2 in Solihull

Three Trees Community Centre improvements

The Three Trees Community Centre in Chelmsley Wood has been part of community life since 1970 when it provided a nursery, coffee bar, lunch clubs and the area’s first shop. It now offers activities including parent and toddler groups and martial arts and in 2018 was the site of the UK’s first community-owned chip shop.

This CEF funded project will create an additional conservatory activity area and extra community office space, while installation of an external security screen and lighting will improve the safety of the building for the many community groups that utilise this facility.

Building Healthy Futures – employment support project

The aim of Colebridge Trust is to build a cohesive society where people are enabled to achieve their full potential and where barriers to living inclusive, happy and healthy lives are challenged through the provision of creative, innovative and enterprising activities.

Funding will deliver a well-being centred employment support project to help local long-term and vulnerable unemployed residents of North Solihull aged 19 plus move into sustainable employment. A programme of activities will include personal development session to help overcome multiple and complex barriers.

Opportunities will include construction industry training, work-based placements, volunteering, motivational and employability training - all designed to empower people to become job ready. The Trust will also engage with local employers to provide job opportunities, giving them a deeper understanding of the circumstances of the people they recruit.

Community and Business Funds

Our Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and the Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF) for Phase One are worth £40 million. They give local communities and businesses disrupted by the construction of HS2 the opportunity to receive funding of up to £1 million for projects to improve their local area or support their local economy.

The community and business funds are administered and managed by independent community charity, Groundwork UK. For more information on Groundwork and the funds, including how to apply, visit https://hs2funds.org.uk/ .You can also watch our short videos which explain how to best demonstrate that your project meets the criteria for the Community, Environment or Business Funds.

If you have any questions about the Community and Business Funds, HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .