Community funds launched
Warwickshire County Council is inviting community groups to get their share of a £70,000 pot of money earmarked for providing new opportunities for local people.
Two funds of money are available. The community development fund, which totals £40,000, is aimed at organisations who are looking to finance small scale projects for local people, particularly those who experience disadvantage or exclusion from mainstream activities; the members’ fund awards £2,000 to each county councillor in the district to support local projects.
Through the community development fund, a maximum of £5000 is available to community groups which must be led or supported by a fully constituted organisation. The county will be contacting all such groups via its database but welcomes applications from other groups which met the criteria.
Examples of projects that benefited from last year’s community development fund include the following
RELATE family counselling sessions: although better known for its work with couples, RELATE was able to run counselling sessions for families at risk of break-up.
The PEPPERS project at The Gap Community Centre in North Warwick received funding for a family outreach worker for a day a week and to support the creation of a Dads Allowed group – a stay-and-play session for dads – a family fun day and a programme of family activities throughout the summer holidays.
The deadline for applications is 10 October with the application form available at http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/warwickarea for those applying on-line or from local county councillors.
A further fund of £30,000, known as the members’ fund, is divided among all 15 members of the County Council’s Warwick area committee District. Groups can approach their county councillor for support in applying for funds to support community-based activity. These can be one-off activities and projects but those with sustainable future funding will be preferred.
The councillor makes the application on behalf of the community group to the county council’s community partnership team and successful applicants will receive £2000. There is no deadline for applications as this is a rolling programme.
Councillor Sarah Boad, chair of Warwick area committee, said: “We look forward to hearing from organisations who have a specific project in mind which will have a lasting benefit to the community. The purpose of the funds is to target projects that enable Warwick’s residents to act to the greatest benefit of their locality.”