GET YOUR HANDS ON £1.2M!
Grants on offer for community groups
COMMUNITY groups are being encouraged to apply for a share of £1.2 million to help fund their project ideas.
Stoke-on-trent City Council is launching the latest round of its popular community investment fund.
People can apply for grants of up to £50,000 each to either assist with ongoing projects or get new activities off the ground.
Priorities include schemes that help children, improve education and skills levels, support mental and physical well-being, make communities safer, and promote the city as a destination for business, heritage and culture.
Councillor Lorraine Beardmore, cabinet member for culture, leisure and public health, said: “We’re thrilled to announce the latest wave of the community investment fund. This fund has a proven track record of making a big difference to communities across the city and the people at the heart of them.
“Since 2017, we have provided £3.2 million to support 142 projects, and this next round of funding will further that contribution.
“Grassroots organisations carry out incredible work, and the pandemic has further highlighted the importance of the work they do in our communities.”
Applications open this week and groups have until January 7, 2022 to submit a bid.
Middleport Matters is one of the community groups to benefit from previous rounds of funding. In March, it received a £5,500 grant to go towards buying laptops, smartphones and tablets to help residents improve their digital skills.
It was the second time the group benefited. A previous grant towards kitting out an IT hub with tables, photocopiers and heaters.
Vicki Gwynne, centre operations manager for Middleport Matters, said: “The funding has gone a long way and been really positive. The IT facilities are being used by people from across the Middleport, Longport and Burslem area.
“It is helping older residents access emails, use social media to send photos and speak to their families, and is helping them in reporting issues such as fly-tipping or applying for a bus pass.
“It is everyday things that a lot of people take for granted, and we are able to sit down in a friendly setting in small groups and help local people to do the things they need to do to get on with their lives.”
■ Community groups can find out more about the initiative, the criteria for funding and how to apply by visiting: www.stoke.gov.uk/cif or by contacting communities@stoke.gov. uk.