Community organisations share in £5,000 grant fund

Around £5,000 has been given in grants to local voluntary groups and charitable organisations in Wyre Forest over the last six months.

Wyre Forest District Council’s Community Grant Scheme has boosted good causes from Wyre Forest Nightstop to Junior Pickup Artists, supported local theatre groups to dementia groups, and awarded contributions towards Christmas lights and the creation of a new sensory garden.

The scheme awards grants from £250 to £500 and local charitable organisations, clubs and societies, companies with a community interest parish and town councils are being urged to apply in the next round of applications. The deadline for applications is Friday 6 March.

The grants are available to improve services and facilities and support activities for the local community. The council will also look to support schemes which encourage local action to improve quality of life.  Youth facilities, environmental improvements, workshops for people with dementia and play equipment are just a few of the sorts of projects which could receive funding.

Cllr Helen Dyke, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Community Protection said:

“The scheme is a great way of supporting our thriving and confident communities who are doing such great work to improve the lives of local residents. We invite applications for ongoing or one-off projects which really make a difference to local people.

“We particularly welcome applications that benefit the lives of young people in our community and improve their quality of life and future opportunities.”

In the last round of funding £500 was awarded to Wyre Forest Nightstop, an organisation which works with young people, often in crisis, to address their homelessness and help them fulfil their potential through work, volunteering  and training.  The money was to help set up a women and girls’ support group pilot.

Chief Executive Officer Judith Ford said: “Many of the young women and girls who come to our service tell us how much they would like a safe space to come together with other women where they could make friends, seek advice and support and  generally get their life ’back on track’.

“They told us it was important to have a space with other women and girls as some had been victims of abusive or coercive and controlling relationships with men.   Local partners such as Women’s Aid,  the Soroptimists and Wyre Forest district Council told us they would welcome and support such a group.

“We are delighted to have been successful in an application to the Wyre Forest Community Grants Scheme and the funding has enabled us to start our group.”

For a full list of successful grants and details about how to apply for a grant go to www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/communitygrants.

Anyone wishing to discuss a grant application should contact community safety and partnerships officer Kathryn Underhill at kathryn.underhill@wyreforestdc.gov.uk or 01562 732956.

For more information about the Nightstop pilot scheme for women and girls, please contact Lisa Shakespeare -lshakespeare@wfnightstop.org