I often meet local groups who do fantastic work, often on a voluntary basis with shoestring budgets. One issue that keeps coming up in our discussions is how difficult it is to find the funds to finance new ideas or activities.
Now at a time when we're all feeling the pinch, the voluntary and community sector is struggling even more than usual to raise money. This is why I am very pleased to hear that Awards for All wants to help Gateshead groups get their hands on lottery funding.
Awards for All is the small grants scheme run by Big Lottery Fund, which assists new activities or helps existing ones to develop. During October and November Big Lottery Fund will run workshops in Gateshead for groups which are interested in applying.
The trouble is that groups in Gateshead don't make as many applications as some other areas in the region. There will be a workshop at the new Birtley Community Hub at 10am on the 15th October where people can find out how to apply. To book your place or for more information contact Gateshead council on 0191 433 2811 or email communitygrants@gateshead.gov.uk
You can find out more about other such events in the region at www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/events-ne
Voluntary and community groups, schools and health organisations, parish and town councils can apply for grants of between £300 and £10,000 for projects that improve communities, and the lives of people within them. It's open for applications now.
Awards for All can pay for new community and cultural festivals, minor refurbishments and alterations to buildings, learning workshops for users and staff, before and after-school activities for parents and children, play areas and community gardens, fitness equipment and trim trails, public awareness campaigns and equipment that helps open services to more people.
Each application needs to meet one of their outcomes. You can get more information, follow a 'walk through' the applications process or have a live web chat with an advisor at http://www.awardsforall.org.uk/england or by calling 0845 4 10 20 30
Don't be afraid to apply. Many local groups have already succeeded. These include the Ryton and District War Memorials Project, Whickham Cricket Club, Derwent Valley University of the Third Age, Rowlands Gill Community Association and Streetlights Detached Youth Project.
Feel free to ask me about this or other issues at my next open community surgery which is on Saturday 17 October from 9.30-11am at Church Chare, Whickham.
Newcastle Chronicle and Journal
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