Positive Activities Grants in Worcestershire
Worcestershire County Councillors will be able to continue to help voluntary groups, community groups and charities on their own patch.Following the success of last year’s grant funding, the County Council has once again allocated to all county councillor divisions £3,500 to distribute to, or between, voluntary sector organisations working with children and young people in their Division be they charities, faith groups, the local PTA or voluntary sector youth clubs. The groups must be providing positive activities, places to go and things to do for children and young people aged between 8 and 19 years.
The grants allocated in 2007/08 involved 164 projects. Approximately 30,000 children and young people benefited. Through these grants, activities took place in every one of the 57 Divisions.
The concept fits with the Council’s current piloting of local community forums for children and young people in areas around Worcestershire. The local forums aim to pick up on need, identify gaps and direct more effectively energies and resources to provide better positive activities for children and young people in these very local communities.
The concept of local forums has been promoted by Cllr Liz Eyre, the County Council’s lead member for Children and Young People. It was supported cross party by councillors when debating the County Council’s budget in February. In 2008/09 £200,000 has been allocated for all 57 councillors to distribute through local community forums with match funding if possible, even those who are not yet leading with a pilot.
There are clear criteria and organisations applying for the grant are being asked to demonstrate how their proposed project will help children and young people and make a difference to children and young people’s lives. The activities can be delivered in single electoral divisions, or across 2 or more divisions with Councillor support, and the maximum amount that can be bid for is £3,500, which must be spent by 31st March 2009.
Funding will support revenue activities only. Capital expenditure such as refurbishment of buildings and youth shelters will not be funded through these grants.
Applications should be submitted to County Councillors between 1st May and 31st July 2008. Councillors will consider applications as they are received. Early applications are advisable.
Councillor Liz Eyre said: “I am a firm believer that local children and young people and those that support them know best what will work in their area. They know what is available and where the gaps are. These grants will allow the voluntary sector to plug gaps and directly improve the quality of life for children and young people living in the area that the county councillors represent. While £3,500 may not sound much, it can be put to great use by voluntary organisations to provide a huge range of additional positive activities for children and young people across the county.
Projects which include matched funding and are clearly supported by the young people themselves are those that will be most appealing to the councillors.”
For guidance notes and an application form go to http://worcestershire.whub.org.uk/home....