Over 70 cultural venues, Museums and libraries supported with £60 million boost

MORE than 70 cultural organisations across the country are to be given a financial boost by the Government so they can improve people's access to arts, support local economic growth through culture and safeguard vital local collections for future generations.

Beneficiaries of the Cultural Investment Fund, has been announced by Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer, include:- Museums, cultural venues and public libraries across England.

They will share a pot of £58.8 million which will see arts venues transformed, upgraded and created as part of the Government's plans to make sure everyone, no matter where they live, can access the UK's world renowned culture.

Basildon Borough Council will receive £4.4 million to turn empty properties in the Town Centre into a creative facility for screen and immersive digital industries. The project will help support businesses and freelancers working within the:- film, TV, gaming, VFX and animation sectors, further demonstrating the Government's commitment to the creative industries as a priority growth sector.

Bradford, UK City of Culture 2025, will receive £4.9 million to redevelop the intercultural arts centre Kala Sangam and other cultural assets, to establish a network of local arts hubs and support the successful delivery of its year as the culture capital and beyond.

The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, in Stoke on Trent, will receive £5 million to build a wrap around extension to improve facilities and accessibility and support local education, health and wellbeing projects.

Arts Council England will deliver this fund on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said:- "This investment will help to level up access to arts and culture for everyone, no matter where they live. Culture helps us create lifelong memories with our families and friends, provides entertainment and joy, and allows us to explore the world around us in new and exciting ways. It can also boost tourism, support local business and drive local economic growth. This funding will support brilliant arts organisations to upgrade their venues and create new projects that will be at the heart of their communities."

Darren Henley, Chief Executive of Arts Council England said:- "Investment in creativity and culture is a catalyst for improving well being and raising aspirations, reinvigorating pride in communities, regenerating high streets and local economies, and bringing people together. We are pleased to play a part in delivering the Cultural Investment Fund and this £58 million investment will help create new, or improve existing, cultural buildings and spaces in our villages, towns and cities. By doing so it will support recovery and growth and unlock the creative potential of those who live and work in communities across England."

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England, said:- "Culture, heritage and the arts all contribute to people's sense of belonging and place. These grants will help to reinforce this and we welcome them."

The fund, which totals more than £200 million and was launched in 2019, is made up of 3 separate streams, the Cultural Development Fund, the Libraries Improvement Fund and the Museum Estate and Development Fund. It is designed to protect and improve people's access to culture, regenerate communities, upgrade buildings and digital infrastructure and use investment to promote economic growth.

In this round of funding, £32.4 million has gone to 8 Cultural Development Fund projects, £4.9 million to 27 projects as part of the Libraries Improvement Fund and £21.4 million has gone to 36 Museums through the Museum Estate and Development Fund.

This announcement follows a big boost for the cultural sector in the Spring Budget with an extension of tax reliefs for:- Theatres, Orchestras, and Museum and Gallery exhibitions for a further 2 years. These tax reliefs have already supported thousands of Theatre and Orchestral productions, galleries and Museums across the country, and the extension is set to help the cultural sector continue to attract new talent and investment from home and abroad.

Extending these tax relief builds on the support the Government has provided to the creative sectors. This includes:- the £1.6 billion Culture Recovery Fund that supported more than 5,000 organisations throughout the Pandemic.

Other successful bidders today include:-

• In Walsall, in the West Midlands, the Grade II* listed Guildhall building, in St Matthew's Quarter, will be redeveloped as part of a £3.7 million project to deliver a 3 year Cultural Activity Programme to reinvigorate and enliven this previously neglected corner of Walsall Town Centre.
   

• Cannon Hall in Barnsley will receive almost:- £900,000 to protect its stunning Grade II listed Georgian country house and collection of fine and decorative art.
   

• £350,000 will go to Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, the 1st publicly funded Museum outside London, to improve infrastructure and protect its nationally important collections covering social and natural history.
   

• Essex County Council will receive:- £337,500 to transform the 1st floor of Colchester Library to provide an interactive learning and play space for children and families.
   

• In Stockton on Tees will receive:- £50,000 to allow the library service to update and develop its collaborative workspace with new and updated equipment, new programmes and opportunities for library users to engage with technology.

 ⅔ of workers in the North West feel stressed due to the rising cost of living

A new study by Acas has found that 65% of workers in the North West feel stressed due to the rising cost of living. Acas commissioned YouGov to ask employees in the North West about whether they feel stressed due to the rising cost of living.

The poll also found that 32% of employees in the North West do not feel stressed.

Acas Chief Executive, Susan Clews, said:- "The cost of living pressures are having a huge impact on many people's lives at the moment and our poll reveals that a substantial proportion of workers in the North West are feeling stressed as a result. North West employers that support their employee's mental health at work will be able to spot the signs, help manage them and create an environment where staff can openly talk about anything that is causing them stress. Offering practical tips such as signposting to financial advice can also help. Employees should also look after their own mental health and have some coping strategies to help manage stress. Acas has advice that can help to avoid problems building up and lead to improved morale at work."

Acas advice for employers on managing staff mental health include:-

• Be approachable, available and encourage team members to talk to you if they're having problems.

• Keep in regular contact with your team to check how they are coping.

• Respect confidentiality and be calm, patient, supportive and reassuring if a staff member wants to have a chat about their mental health.

• Clearly communicate the internal and external support available to staff.

• Look after your own mental health and get support if you feel under more pressure than usual. This support could be a colleague at work, a mental health network or a Counsellor.

• Consider offering practical help such as providing pointers to sources of financial advice or bringing advice providers into work.

Acas advice for workers to support their own mental health and wellbeing include:-

• Talk to people you work with or friends about how you're feeling.

• Speak to your manager about how you're doing and your situation.

• Reflect on what helps you feel more positive and what does not.

• Make time for activities you enjoy.

• Check with your employer on what support is available at work. 

For the full Acas advice, please see:- ACAS.Org.UK.

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