Local Voluntary Groups Receive A Boost From New Small Grants Scheme
A new annual Small Grants Scheme will see awards of up to £2,000 issued
to local groups across the Borough this week.
The scheme was set up by the London Borough of Bexley this year as part of
its new Voluntary Sector Funding Strategy. The Strategy was adopted in February
to provide a source of funding for small voluntary organisations in the Borough.
More than 80 groups applied for a small grant, with projects ranging from
new equipment to youth and community projects.
Cllr Perrior, Cabinet Member for Community Services said: “We were encouraged
by the interest shown in the scheme and received applications for a broad range
of activities and projects. A panel of officers from each Directorate had a hard
task in recommending which projects and activities would be funded this year,
however we are happy that we have been able to help many voluntary and community
groups to provide some exciting and much-needed activities. We will be writing
to all the groups that applied to give them feedback on their applications and
our officers will work with groups who have not been successful this time, to
support them to develop stronger bids in future."
Among the projects funded this year are -
- A support group for vulnerable women providing a safe environment for women
to share problems with a qualified counsellor.
- Training and development for a play therapist to gain additional skills needed
to work with children who have suffered abuse.
- A football programme for adults with substance misuse and mental health problems
to increase confidence and self-esteem.
- The setting-up of a speaking up group for people with learning disabilities
and autism.
- An activity scheme for children with behaviour problems.
- Purchase of laptop computers to enable staff to work with clients with mental
health issues more flexibly in different settings.
- Accountancy support for small voluntary and community groups.
