News on HS2 in Bucks & Oxfordshire

A new project has been awarded funding in Buckinghamshire as part of the HS2 Community and Business Funds.

The National Paralympic Heritage Trust opened at Stoke Mandeville Stadium near Aylesbury last year. The ‘Paralympic Values: Stories From’ project is the start of its outreach activities.

Drawing on the Paralympic values of determination, inspiration, courage and equality, the project will develop a range of tailored events and activities with supporting resources, taking place at the Heritage Centre/National Spinal Injuries Centre and locations along the HS2 route. It will increase knowledge of the Paralympics, as well as reflect the stories of local people from the workshops and events that take place. These will become a permanent record on the organisation’s website through blogs, videos, written stories, photographs and reports.

The project will challenge attitudes to disability, while reaching out to local communities, encouraging cohesion, connectivity and well-being through a wide range of activities, facilities and volunteering opportunities, such as disabled artist residencies, the creation of heritage displays, Paralympian talks, demonstrations and workshops, and disability awareness building and training.

Local Paralympic history will be recorded, be accessible and shared regionally, nationally and internationally. People will learn more about – and contribute to – their local heritage, with young and old, disabled and non-disabled people having opportunities to volunteer, gain new skills and build confidence.

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 .