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Telegraph wins cash injection for community initiative

The Grimsby Telegraph is ready to put new heart into its community after receiving almost £300,000 to spearhead a ground-breaking initiative.

The paper is to link up with local communities to produce quarterly newsletters.

The initiative – believed to be the first project of its kind in the country and paid for out of the public purse – is seen as a key tool to kick start community-led regeneration in North East Lincolnshire.

The newsletters will be put together by teams of volunteers from the communities working through a Community Press Office at the Grimsby Telegraph. Two full-time jobs will be created and the newsletters will be distributed to more than 34,000 homes.

Newly appointed assistant to the editor at the Telegraph, Nigel Lowther, who is leading the project, said: “We will manage it but the newsletters will be written and developed by the community. Enthusiastic individuals will form editorial teams across eight target wards.

“They will write stories and take photographs, recording what is going in their neighbourhoods. Each publication will then be pulled together by an experienced journalist with the Telegraph’s resources at their disposal.”

The project had its origins in the community.

“Representatives had wanted to see regular newsletters and asked if we could help.

“We were delighted to get involved and are grateful for financial support from the Community Partnership of North East Lincolnshire and the European Regional Development Fund,” Nigel added.

Awards will be given for Community Journalist of the Month and the best articles as an incentive for members of the community to get involved. They will also have opportunities to take courses to develop writing and computing skills.

The project has received £199,682 from North East Lincolnshire’s Single Regeneration Budget allocation from central Government and £92,847 has been contributed from the European Regional Development Fund.

The Community Press will open in March with the first newsletter produced in June.

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