Council’s £100k in grants

READING Borough Council has awarded £100,000 of grants to charities tackling inequality.

The Small Grants Fund sees annual support for organisations who bid for grants to help them with community-led projects.

This year saw nearly 100 applicants.

Among the organisations seeing support is Age UK Reading, which has been granted £5,000 for a new dementia club in north Reading.

The Baker Street Area Neighbourhood Association received a grant to support its annual street party which raises awareness of the climate emergency. Berkshire Women’s Aid, is providing one-to-one and group work to support vulnerable children and families dealing with domestic abuse.

The Caversham Muslim Association was granted funding for the establishment of a community development coordinator and the provision of youth activities and education, as well as sessions aimed at women.

Double Okay received a partnership grant with the Rising Sun Arts Centre to continue collaboration on arts-based sessions for the LGBTQIA+ community.

First Days Children’s Charity has received funding to support the

Safe Place to Sleep Project, which ensures children in Reading from struggling families get bedding.

Sport in Mind received funding to help provide a weekly football session for 12 students or refugees with English as a second language for an academic year.

A grant was also given to Reading Welfare Rights, for its one-to-one sessions to advise and empower parents, guardians, or carers of adults with learning disabilities.

Funding has also been granted to the Becoming Mums organisation, in partnership with Alana House; Browns Community Services CIC; Dance Reading; Dingley’s Promise; First Days Children’s Charity; Grassrootz; and Lynn Everett, who provides food and support to Southcote residents through St Matthews Church; Me2 Club, No 5 Young People, Parenting Special Children, Rank & File Theatre, Reading Welfare Rights, and South Reading Over 50s Social Club.

Cllr Jason Brock, Reading Borough Council leader, said: “Many residents will benefit from this injection of funding.

“The organisations work directly with people facing a variety of barriers in their lives and provides the opportunity to build the skills needed to get into education and employment.”

“Giving people the chances, they need to up-skill or get into employment contributes to making our town an incredible place.

“The Small Grants Fund is so important – it supports projects at grassroots level across our community.”