The project set to bring a major boost to Washington is now underway.

"This is a plan that's been shaped by the views thousands of people across Washington,” says the chair of a project which is set to bring a major boost to Washington.

A major boost for Washington | Sunderland Echo

placeholder image — A major boost for Washington | Sunderland Echo

A 10-year plan to drive forward £20m of resident-led improvements in Washington has just been approved by the Government, paving the way for work to get underway.

As part of the first year of the project, which starts this month, organisations can now apply for small grants for projects they believe will improve the area.

Washington was one of 75 places chosen nationally to receive a share of a £1.5bn investment in local communities over the next 10 years when the first phase of the UK Government's Pride in Place Programme was announced last year.

After being appointed to develop and steer forward the city's initial Pride in Place project, the Washington Pride in Place Programme Board have set out with a clear mission to engage as many residents as possible in shaping the plan.

The resident engagement activity delivered in partnership with 14 Washington VCSE organisations, alongside an online engagement platform and insight activities, enabled the board to engage with over 5,000 residents of all ages to ensure the resident voice informed the 10 year vision and first-year investment plan.

Ruth Walker, the Chair of Washington Pride in Place with some of the young people from Washington who she works with | Submitted

Welcoming the news of being given the green light to go ahead with the first wave of the project, Ruth Walker, Chair of the Washington Pride in Place Programme Board, said: "We're delighted to have had our ambitious plan approved by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

"This is a plan that's been shaped by the views thousands of people across Washington. And I'd like to thank everyone who took time out of their busy lives to take part in surveys, focus groups, school activities, stakeholder discussions, and VCSE-led engagement over the summer and autumn.

"We asked residents what mattered most to them when it comes to making Washington an even better place to live, work and visit.”

Washington was chosen as part of the national Pride in Place programme | Sunderland Echo

Included in the plan were the main priorities identified by residents, which were:

*Spending time in nature

*Feeling safe

*Vibrant villages and town centre

*Better transport and infrastructure

*Supporting young people and communities

*Improving the look of streets and public spaces

Ruth added: "We're incredibly excited to announce that we're getting the first year of our 10-year programme underway, after receiving the first year’s funding from MHCLG in April 2026, by inviting grassroots VCSE organisations across Washington to apply for small grants for projects they believe will help make a real and lasting difference in the local community.

"We’re encouraging any groups interested in applying to come along to one of the workshops we have planned, to find out more about the small grant scheme and how to apply."

The £20m Pride in Place Programme funding from the Government is split into capital for projects such as park improvements or improved community facilities, which is the biggest part of the funding, as well as some revenue which could fund things like youth activities, support for residents to re-skill or move into employment and health programmes.

The first wave of projects will be delivered by March 2027.

The Board will closely review outcomes to be achieved through the projects, to help Board members make informed decisions ensuring maximum impact for the residents of Washington over the lifetime of the programme as a whole.

The first funding workshop is planned for Wednesday 3 June 2026 and will be held at the Washington Millennium Centre, The Oval, Concord, Washington, Tyne & Wear, NE37 2QD from 1pm until 6pm.

Residents can just pop along and chat with the team.

Further workshop dates will be arranged for each month over the summer, working closely with partners including the Washington VSCE network, and all details will be shared on the Washington Pride in Place website Washington Pride in Place Programme Board

Following on from Washington being awarded funding in the initial phase of Pride in Place, two more areas of Sunderland – Hendon, Docks and the East End along with Thorney Close, Plains Farm and Springwell, have since been awarded Pride in Place funding, with each project also receiving £20m.