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A community hall in Gateshead is now much more accessible to users, thanks to the support of The Gateshead Housing Company and its partners.Leam Lane Methodist Church serves the Leam Lane Estate in Gateshead. As well as church activities, it also provides a wide range of community services. It asked The Gateshead Housing Company’s Community Fund to help with the installation of a disabled-access ramp and corridor resurfacing. The fund is held by the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland.The housing company, recognising the variety of services taking place at the church hall, agreed to do £2,000 worth of renovation work in kind. The refurbishments were carried out by housing company partners Mears.Activities at the hall include the National Blood Transfusion Service, dance classes for all ages, slimming clubs, and local authority exhibitions. The hall is also used as a polling station and, of course, church events.Kevin Fudge, Estate Officer for The Gateshead Housing Company, said: “We were delighted to help Leam Lane Methodist Church.“The improvements will benefit all the church’s users, and the ramp in particular will improve access for the elderly and disabled.”Elizabeth Bell from Leam Lane Methodist Church said: “We’re so pleased with the refurbishments. The church hall is really well used by local people for so many different types of events."“The corridor’s new flooring will reduce the risk of accidents – and help us to keep it clean.”To find out more about Leam Lane Methodist Church, call Elizabeth Bell on 0191 4695794.The Gateshead Housing Company Community Fund is supported by Gateshead Council and Mears and administered by The Community Foundation.Since 2006, the Community Fund has awarded grants totalling over £500,000 to more than 120 groups across Gateshead.Groups in Gateshead wanting to find out more about applying for a grant should call The Community Foundation on 0191 222 0945 or email general@communityfoundation.org.ukInformation and application forms can also be downloaded from www.gatesheadhousing.co.uk/a-guide-to-our-community-fund/ and www.communityfoundation.org.uk/apply