Grants for community groups
Voluntary and community groups in St Albans District are encouraged to apply to a grants fund aimed at helping the most vulnerable people.
St Albans City and District Council is distributing up to £18,700 in this year’s second round of awards from its Community Grants Fund.
One priority is to fund schemes that help people recover from the impact of the COVID-19 emergency.
For the second round, the Council is encouraging applications that particularly benefit older people and the District’s BAME communities.
This may include, for example, initiatives to re-establish social networks or improve mental health and wellbeing.
Communities 1st, an organisation that provides advice to charities and encourages volunteering, helps the Council administer the fund.
Applications can be made from Tuesday 10 November to 5pm on Monday 11 January 2021.
Among the grants offered in the first round was £5,000 to The Ollie Foundation to fund wellbeing sessions and virtual support cafés for parents across the District.
Small Acts of Kindness Trust was awarded £2,440 to deliver Purple Pages Information Packs to isolated elderly residents, especially those without internet access. The packs provide information on support services.
The Daylight Club was awarded £4,838 for running weekly clubs with Zoom sessions for people with learning or physical disabilities and mental health needs.
Councillor Jacqui Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Housing, Inclusion and Protection, said:
Our Community Grants Fund has never been so important with people suffering from the effects of the pandemic like so many around the whole country.
I particularly want to reach out to the most vulnerable people in the District such as older people and our BAME communities.
We want to help community groups that can provide them with support at this very difficult time and reduce any feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Communities 1st is heavily involved with our work and I urge anyone considering an application to join the online information event that they are hosting.
There will be presentations as well as opportunities for any questions people may have about the fund.
Our community fund has benefitted hundreds of people across the District and we want its success to continue.
The information event will allow organisations to acquire more guidance about on the type of projects that are eligible.
It will take place on Thursday 12 Novemberfrom 4.00pm to 5.30pm via Zoom, hosted by Communities 1st. You can register here: https://www.communities1st.org.uk/civicrm/event/info%3Fid%3D1756%26reset%3D1
Communities 1st will also be hosting online surgeries throughout the application period to discuss ideas and how to draft applications. To book a place, go to: www.communities1st.org.uk.
Grant application forms for 2020-21 can be downloaded from this website and from the Council’s website on https://www.stalbans.gov.uk/grants.
Councillor Contact: Councillor Jacqui Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Housing, Inclusion and Protection for St Albans City and District Council: cllr.j.taylor@stalbans.gov.uk; 07971 906343.
Contact for the media: John McJannet, Principal Communications Office: john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk, 01727-819533.