The Best Guide for the Neston Area

CAN Doors Close But Neston CYC Door Opens

Following a decision by the Directors of CAN Group to close the business, a new era for community activities in the local area has been ushered in.

Zaria Shreef, facepainting at last year's CH64 Big Lunch. Photo
by Rob Clive.

With the support of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Zaria Shreef will be taking up a new post as Community Activities Co-ordinator with Neston Community Youth Centre (NCYC), to ensure that essential community services and activities such as Neston Angels and Neston Flicks can continue and hopefully develop new projects too.

CAN Group has been operating in Neston since 2005, delivering events including Lights 'n' Lanterns and The CH64 Big Lunch, alongside services for local people. However, it has become increasingly difficult to secure the kind of funding that would make these activities sustainable. When Eileen Miller announced she was leaving in October last year, CAN Group and NCYC started discussing potential opportunities to ensure the great work CAN have done over the past 10 years continues.

Zaria explained: "CAN Group has delivered events and projects enjoyed by thousands of people, always on a very low budget thanks to the huge input of volunteers.

"With securing funding becoming increasingly difficult, the move to NCYC is a natural fit. We have always worked closely together but now we can share resources, volunteers, and expertise, and expand our impact on the local community.

"It's a very exciting time for community activity in Neston!"

NCYC Manager, Gareth Prytherch said: "As soon as we heard that CAN Group were possibly going to disappear from our community, we set about trying to find a way of ensuring that the work Zaria and Eileen have been doing was not lost."

He continued: "We were already talking to other partners about projects that fit nicely with the work CAN do, such as Wildlife Connections in partnership with Chester Zoo, and we hope that over the coming year we can establish the CAN brand into our core offer."

Speaking about the move, Zaria said, "Apart from my contact details changing, it will be business as usual for me, and the amazing volunteers who support so much of what we do in the area."

From the 1st March, Zaria can be contacted through NCYC by either calling 0151 336 7805 or emailing zaria@nestoncyc.co.uk.

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Comments

Dy

At 10:41 on 2nd March 2016, Dy commented:

I would like to congratulate Zaria on her new post at NCYC, and will be able to continue her work with Neston Angels for the many oldies she has done so much for during her time with CAN Group. She never fails to phone us every Friday to make sure we are OK, and for that we are most grateful

On behalf of many older people in our Community, "Thank You Zaria", you really are a Neston Angel.

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Joey's Mum

At 10:59 on 2nd March 2016, Joey's Mum commented:

Hear hear! I'd also like to thank CAN for all the work they have done with events for the community. They have made a huge contribution to the sense of community spirit in the town. I think it sounds like we very nearly lost all that due to lack of funding which would be a very great shame. So thank you to NCYC for stepping up.

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