The public vote is now open for the Royal Borough’s Greenwich Neighbourhood Growth Fund.

The 27 shortlisted projects – which can bid for grants of over £5,000 to improve the impact in their area –  are now online. The four Royal Borough areas are: Abbey Wood, Plumstead and Thamesmead; Blackheath and Greenwich; Charlton and Woolwich; and Eltham and Shooters Hill. The projects range from community facilities and environmental improvements to new play areas and educational hubs.

Residents get the chance to vote for their three favourite projects where they live, which they think will have the biggest impact in their area. Their vote will help decide which projects should receive funding.

Voting closes on Sunday 20 January 2019 with the successful groups announced in February 2019. Work on the projects will start from March.

Residents can vote by going to www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/growthfund

The projects in the Blackheath and Greenwich area are:

AREA 2: BLACKHEATH AND GREENWICH

Funding available: £227,761

Project: Blackheath/ Westcombe Autism Support Yard Project

Group: Montessori Education for Autism

Amount: £19,090

The project is a one-off upgrade to configure the outdoor area to create a safe and secure environment for children and families at Blackheath Westcombe Autism Support Centre, and to upgrade the existing outbuilding to accommodate a fully-accessible ‘discovery centre’ with renovations to the plumbing, flooring and walls. The proposed works will enable Montessori Education for Autism to better meet the needs of children and families with autism and other special educational and medical needs in the area.

Project: ‘Love our loo’s’

Group: The Forum @ Greenwich

Amount: £30,000 The Project will upgrade and refurbish the existing toilets, upgrade shower and changing room facilities and provide an additional accessible toilet and baby changing facilities. The six fully accessible toilet and shower facilities would be open 7 days a week, 8am-9pm, all year round, providing a much-needed community facility. The Forum runs events for the local community and the proposed improvements would enhance the experience for everyone who uses the Forum.

Project: Seed to Tree Programme

Group: Friends of Westcombe Woodlands

Amount: £8,980

The project will involve 6 classes from two local schools Halstow and Christchurch (180 pupils) in termly visits to Westcombe woodlands to actively enhance local air quality for residents and visitors by growing and then planting trees near pollutant hot-spots. The school visits are each structured to deliver a cycle of project activities including tree seed collection, seed planting, tree nursery management, and monitoring. Pupils will also gain knowledge and understanding of woodland ecology linked to their curriculum. This includes the growth cycle, understanding the role of trees and plants in urban environments and how active citizenship locally can improve quality of life for all.

Project: Talk About Art

Group: Talk About Art in collaboration with Peter & Teresa Harris Trust and St Alfege With St Peter’s Church of England Primary School

Amount: £9,624

Guided and supported by TAA artists a group of vulnerable children will create a Thames inspired “stained glass window” at a afterschool club that will run from April to July 2019. The group piece will become a semi-permanent installation in St Alfege Church and a symbol of how these vulnerable young Greenwich children can contribute to the local environment and be recognised as valued members of the community. The installation will be accompanied by a multi-media exhibition offering free workshops and attracting new visitors to this great Hawksmoor church. The free exhibition workshops will be offered to up to 270 young people from local schools and will not only make them aware of the local impact of The Thames, but also encourage mutual acceptance.

Project: Rathmore Hall Mosaic Bench Repairs

Group: Greenwich Mural Workshop

Amount: £16,518

The project will restore and repair the iconic glass mosaic Rathmore benches that were originally installed in 1980. This well loved feature which has been a distinctive part of Charlton’s historic scenery has significantly deteriorated over time, through wear, tear and vandalism. The restoration of the bench will contribute to maintaining Charlton’s historic identity and provide a scenic place for residents.

Project: Greenwich Millennium Village Association Summer Fayre 2019

Group: Greenwich Millennium Village Association

Amount: £ 11,750

Proposal to hold a village Summer Fayre on Saturday 13 July on Southern Park, bringing together 2,000+ families living in Greenwich Millenium Village on the Greenwich Peninsula. The Fayre will provide an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate living on the Peninsula, with an emphasis on supporting local businesses and sporting and cultural groups.

Project: For Your Convenience, St Alfege Church

Group: St Alfege Church, Greenwich Amount: £30,000

The project will provide two new toilets that are wheelchair accessible and incorporate baby changing facilities at St Alfege Church. The toilets will be available to those who come to concerts and events and to occasional visitors. This is part of the Heart of Greenwich Place and People Project which is designed to make the church an accessible venue for local people, so that they can attend events and find out more about the role the church played in the social development of Greenwich as a community.

Project: Drinking Fountain in the Pleasaunce

Group: Friends of East Greenwich Pleasaunce

Amount: £ 6,000 The project involves installation of a drinking fountain for both park users and their dogs. Design includes a drinking fountain on one side and a dog bowl on the other. It will be insulated so that it does not freeze in cold weather and is also resistant to vandalism.