Newton Stewart Initiative distributed over 50 application forms for their Community Shop Awards between September 2022 and October 2022 and 26 applications were returned.
The purpose of the Newton Stewart Initiative Community Shop Awards is to give back to the local community by way of grants, including groups and individuals who may need some financial support to grow.
NSI Community Shop was set up in 2017 and is currently managed by Linda Woodfield, who is also a trustee of Newton Stewart Initiative. The shop sits under the Newton Stewart Initiative umbrella. We rely on donations from the local community and rely heavily on our volunteers who give their time and energy to creating a shop that people feel welcome when they call in.
Over £6000 has been awarded to 25 individuals, groups and organisations who have requested financial support for a variety of ideas and initiatives, from self publishing a book on walks in the local area to sponsoring a local curling athlete.
All successful applicants were invited to an award ceremony in the Newton Stewart Centre on November 24th where they were presented with cheques for their projects.
NSI are passionate about supporting the local community and one way we can do this is through supporting local groups and organisations who have ideas and projects which will in turn benefit the town and the wider Cree Valley area.
The following groups all received financial assistance:
- Wigtown Poultry Show
- The Mid Galloway Community Day Centre
- Machars Churches Basics Food Banks
- Driftwood Cinema
- The Museum, Newton Stewart
- Wigtownshire Youth Group
- Newton Stewart Arts & Crafts group
- Enable, Wigtown & District branch
- Tamara Conlan, local author
- 1st Minnigaff Scout group
- The River Cree Hatchery and Habitat Trust
- Newton Stewart Mens Shed
- Emma Louise Dance Club
- Home Start Wigtownshire
- Food Train
- Galloway Pageant
- Newton Tootin
- Newton Stewart Walking Festival
- Galloway Music Festival
- Galloway Hillbillies Bike Club
- Penninghame Learning Centre
- National Vintage Tractor Road Run 2023
- Newton Stewart Sub Aqua Club
- Machars & Cree Valley Climate Action Network
- East Wigtownshire Red Squirrel Group
- John McClelland, wheelchair curler
- Wigtown Poultry Show
- The Mid Galloway Community Day Centre