The Winsford Neighbourhood Project (from which WINCAP developed) began in December 1975 in response to the emerging problems of new Winsford when Cheshire County Social Services Department decided to adopt a community approach to address those problems. Over the years the project grew as funding and premises (the Winsford Neighbourhood Centre in Cheviot Square) became available.
In May 1997, following major changes within Social Services, WINCAP became an independent community organisation and a registered charity. WINCAP’s constitution states that the objects of the charity are:
“To promote such charitable purposes for the benefit of the inhabitants within the community of Winsford, without distinction of sex, age, race, religion as the trustees in their absolute discretion may from time to time determine, with the intention of improving the quality of life for the said inhabitants.”
For the next few years WINCAP’s main function was the distribution of Cheshire County Council grants to local community groups. During this period approximately £80,000 of grants were given to local groups and the scheme was administered by the voluntary management committee, benefiting childcare clubs, youth groups and a range of community led projects and services addressing the causes and effects of social and economic disadvantage.
In 2002 the grant making function ceased when the priorities of Cheshire County Council funding streams changed and WINCAP reviewed its role in response to the needs identified by research with community groups in the area.
In that year WINCAP ran a successful training programme for community groups, having secured funding from the Winsford Single Regeneration Budget. At the same time, in response to identified need, WINCAP obtained the Funderfinder software package and began to help local groups to use this as an alternative means of helping them attract much needed funds. However, the level of demand for training and for support with fundraising, quickly demonstrated the need for a Project Worker to carry these areas of work forward.
In 2003 WINCAP made a successful bid to Cheshire Active Communities Fund for funding for a Project Worker and in January 2004 that worker was appointed and WINCAP became an employer for the first time. For the last 3 years the volunteer management committee has successfully managed a paid worker.
Having a Project Worker has enabled WINCAP to play a major role in facilitating community involvement – enabling local people to have a say in local decisions. Partners have included Connexions and Cheshire Libraries. WINCAP organised a weekend training course on consultation/consulting with the community at Trafford Hall, opening up the course to include representation by local resident associations/community/voluntary and faith groups.
The Project Worker has also been able to consolidate and develop WINCAP’s role in relation to supporting local community groups. WINCAP believes in providing groups with the skills necessary to carry out their roles and has successfully raised funds for, and organised, a variety of accredited training events including HSE First Aid, Food Hygiene and the Certificate in Community Volunteering.
Following a survey of community groups a new training programme is due to be ‘rolled out’ in the next year.
In 2007 WINCAP became a Company Limited by Guarantee and produced a business plan and lottery bid in order to secure a building for community use.
Following a presentation by WINCAP trustees Cheshire County Council agreed to WINCAP formally undertaking the future management of The Winsford Centre, now called The Edge.
WINCAP was succesful in securing funding from V, a programme aimed at getting more young people aged 16-25 into real volunteering opportunities. This has enabled WINCAP to employ a volunteer's Co-ordinator, Mark Baker, and a Project Worker, Alexandria (Ally) Bright-Mattinson, to work with local young people in order to help them find volunteering opportunities to suit their passions, interests and abilities.