Southampton City Council recently awarded £40,327 to local community and voluntary organisations with an annual income of up to £250,000, with priority given to applicants with an income of less than £50,000 per year, through the Community Chest grant, and it's now inviting new applications for the next grant award which closes at the end of October.
Article continues after this message...
The council says it's increased funding for small grant schemes because it recognises and values the vital role that local groups from across the city play in strengthening their communities.
The Community Chest grant assists community groups in the city to get funding for the projects and activities, such as:
- helping a community bike hub in Sholing expand its reach across the city by funding an electric van;
- enabling a youth theatre group to develop a short film about cyber bullying and other online pitfalls;
- contributing to the refurbishment of a Sea Cadet Corps facilities; supporting a lunch club run by volunteers with the costs of providing meals to vulnerable people every Sunday;
- helping a community allotment improve their water collection;
- the development of a community orchard in Merryoak;
- and supporting a group of local skateboarders to put on a public event in Guildhall Square.
Speaking about the grant, Cllr Dave Shields said: “The Community Chest grant can make a huge difference to community and voluntary organisations that are delivering a range of fantastic services within their local communities. I would strongly encourage local groups an annual income of less than £50,000 to submit an application for the next round of the grant.”
One recipient of the grant, Josh Allen from Monty’s Bike Hub, said: "Two years ago, the council’s Community Chest grant enabled us to start Monty's Bike Hub, so we could buy tools and equipment to begin our bicycle recycling social enterprise on Montague Avenue Estate.
“We have grown since then, now working with local kids and adults to run two sessions a week, selling lots of bikes and delivering cycle training and family cycle rides. We hope to use this year’s funds to become mobile by getting an electric van or cargo bike. This will enable us to support other communities with bike workshop sessions, whilst enabling us to raise an income and giving our local young people vital work experience opportunities in other areas of the city."
The closing date for the next round of Community Chest Grant is midday Wednesday, October 31, 2018. To find out more and apply for the grant, go to Southampton City Council's website.