Notts groups urged to apply for latest round of community grants
Added on 09 October 2023
Voluntary and community groups helping to improve the health and wellbeing of residents will be able to apply for the latest round of financial support from next week (Monday 2 October).
Thanks to Nottinghamshire County Council’s Local Communities Fund, eligible groups will once again be able to apply for a range of grants to help to contribute to meeting their needs.
These include two types of cost-of-living grants aimed at groups who are:
- Helping those who are struggling to buy nutritious food to help improve health and well-being and build resilience. Groups can apply for up to £5,000;
- In need of a contribution towards their own rising energy bills to help keep their welcoming and warm centres and halls open across the county, particularly during the winter months. Once again, groups can apply for up to £5,000.
Groups can also apply for up to £20,000 in capital grants to help towards improvements to facilities that help improve health, wellbeing, and the environment such as improvements to sports facilities, play areas or green spaces.
Revenue grants are also available to help projects with their day-to-day running costs such as paying wages and bills. Groups can apply for up to £5,000, to help access to community-based services for those most in need or for schemes which benefit the environment.
The Gedling Play Forum, based at the Wollaton Avenue Community Centre, was awarded £4,860 as part of the last round of cost-of-living grants to help with rising energy bills.
It also receives £12,208 a year to help with staff costs thanks to revenue funding.
Anne Crosbie, resource centre coordinator at Gedling Play Forum, explains how this funding has benefitted the charity, which offers play and creative craft activities for local children that not only help them to be more healthy and active, but encourages youngsters to be more environmentally-aware as recycled materials are often used in craft sessions. of recycled
She said: “Receiving the cost-of-living grant earlier year has meant we are now able to open an extra day and can offer a warm hub for the local community, which is vital as we approach the winter months.
“The support we get to help with staff costs via the revenue grant is invaluable as it means we have been able to retain our member of staff and take on a part time administrator. This has allowed us to increase our work with community partners across the borough.
“I would encourage any community organisation providing support to local people to apply.
“The online application process is straight-forward. We needed to get support from a local county councillor when we applied to the Revenue Fund.
“My top tip is have a look at the questions first and then prepare your figures as this will save time and ensure that you have all your information to hand when completing your application.”
Eligible groups who run holiday play schemes – or who are thinking of running them – are also invited to attend a special online advice session on Thursday 5 October to look at how to apply for council funding.
Anyone interested can sign up for the session here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/join-our-advice-session-on-ways-to-fund-your-school-holiday-play-schemes-tickets-700128241417?aff=oddtdtcreator
Councillor John Cottee, the county council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, welcomed this latest round of funding.
He said: “The work of community groups, voluntary organisations and parish councils help to make our communities an even better place to live, so I’m delighted that the latest round is about to open for several grants.
“Eligible groups have until 24 November to get their applications in.”
Councillor Matt Barney, the county council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Public Health, added: “As we approach the winter months, we are more aware than ever of the tireless work of these groups. Their work helps improve the health and well-being of our residents who need it the most.”
More than 120 groups have already received cost-of-living grants worth a total of £300,000 from the first two round of these grants.
Eligible groups can apply for all four types of grants to help meet their specific needs in line with the criteria.
Each application will need to clearly explain how the money will be used, if successful.
The deadline for applications is 24 November. For further details of eligibility criteria as well as how to apply go to: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/LCF
For further financial support and advice, check the council’s dedicated cost-of-living support page: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/business-community/cost-of-living-support