The Canny Space receives LankellyChase Foundation Award

The grant will fund a Development Manager who will support the Canny Space partners (University of Sunderland, Hendon Young People’s Project, Living History North East and the Churches Conservation Trust) to develop a new social enterprise for Hendon, to increase community involvement in the project and generate new activity and programmes. The Development Manager will also begin the fundraising process for the longer term outcome of the project: the repair, adaptation and reuse of Holy Trinity as The Canny Space.

This project will provide a high quality space for local people, one that creates vital opportunities for learning, training and culture. The Canny Space will engage and empower local people to develop skills and abilities across a range of areas and through a variety of mediums, helping to create a bright future for Holy Trinity and illuminate this area of Sunderland.

Brian Whittaker, Programme Director, LankellyChase Foundation -  ‘The LankellyChase Foundation is pleased to be able to support the work at Holy Trinity Church in Sunderland.  The creation of the “The Canny Space” is an important initiative, ensuring that the local community is central to the regeneration of this historic building, developing new and exciting facilities accessible to all.’

Crispin Truman, Chief Executive of the Churches Conservation Trust - ‘We are delighted that LankellyChase have agreed to support our exciting ‘Canny Space’ project.  The new Development Officer is crucial to the development of The Canny Space as a community asset which will provide local people with a range of learning, training and employment opportunities across the interrelated areas of heritage, the arts and technology.  The Canny Space will provide a much needed boost to a community that has been detached from wider city regeneration and we are thrilled that the Foundation has endorsed such an important project.’

Janette Hilton, Project Director, Living History North East - ‘The LankellyChase funding is a significant step forward for this project. It will provide fresh impetus to The Canny Space development at a pivotal time. The potential regeneration of this historic building as a centre of excellence for heritage, the arts, technology and learning is something needed not just by the communities in Hendon and the East End but by the City of Sunderland. This is an exciting opportunity that we are delighted to be a part of.’

Dr Susan Jones, Senior Lecturer at the University of Sunderland - 'Having a dedicated project worker is a great step forward and a fantastic opportunity to really develop 'The Canny Space' for people living in the East End of Sunderland and across the city.  To develop and run a venue like The Canny Space with all its different strands of heritage, the arts and technology, needs continuous joined up thinking and we are delighted that we will now have the resources to really put our ideas into effect.’

Richy Duggan, Manager at Hendon Young Peoples Project - ‘I think this award will help push our idea forward, people in this community deserve a building that is open, friendly and inspiring, and the Lankelly award will go a long way to make this happen.’