Posted on Thursday 23rd May 2019
Local community groups will benefit from community funds
Hundreds of local community projects are having a real impact on Staffordshire people with funding and backing from county councillors.
First Aid awareness training, a charity providing days out for adults with learning difficulties, IT equipment for a support centre and help for a plastic recycling shop are amongst the projects funded through the Staffordshire Local Community Fund.
Over the last year, the fund has supported 525 community projects from across the county with organisations and groups receiving £437,082. This also helped secure a further £937,618 of match funding for local projects.
Each county councillor received an allocation of £7,500 towards funding for their local area and chose which projects to fund. The scheme has been in place since 2009.
Gill Heath, Cabinet Member for Communities at Staffordshire County Council said:
“This is a great Fund that is making a real difference in local communities, helping lots of groups get their projects up and running.
“Lots of the projects are helping improve people’s lives from promoting healthy and active lifestyles, bringing communities together to providing activities and equipment for young people. Local county councillors know their communities best and their funding helps to make a real difference locally.
“In June we’ll be launching a new Fund for 2019/20, so look out for the details and speak to your local county councillor about it.”
The 2018/19 Local Community Fund has now closed. A revised and more targeted Fund for 2019/20 with an easy to complete online form will be launched shortly and information will be available on the Staffordshire County Council website.
Some of the projects funded during 2018/19:
Tamworth: Five Tamworth members provided joint funding of £1,800 to be used to provide a two week play scheme for up to 15 pupils with complex learning difficulties held at Two Rivers School. The play scheme would be run by trained school staff and would provide vital respite for families of vulnerable children.
Uttoxeter: Funding of £1,500 was used towards the set-up costs of a plastic recycling workshop, that will turn the plastic litter collected from the streets into reusable everyday items. The Litterbugs Project aims to turn plastic waste into useful and reusable everyday items. The machinery required will be created from recycled materials and volunteers will be taught recycling techniques.
Stone: WHYCH are a registered charity providing social opportunities and day activities to adults and young people with learning disabilities with social and additional needs. A grant of £260 would be put towards an enterprise project including an up-cycling project and an allotment in hope to benefit the local community.
Stafford & Rugeley: Cross district funding from a Cannock and Stafford Member provided the Stafford & Rugeley cadets with a grant of £482.40. As part of their learning programme all Cadets and Juniors are provided with First Aid Awareness Training including CPR training and to buy the appropriate equipment.
Kingstone: Funding of £1,000 was put towards a Structural Survey and Plunkett Foundation Registration to secure the Shrewsbury Arms as a permanent multipurpose community hub for the Kingstone and neighbouring villages.
Newcastle: Four Newcastle members joined together to provide joint funding of £2,500 to be used for a 30-year lease for the self-management of a facility at Pool Dam Playing Fields. The site will be developed, facilities improved to benefit the whole community. Improving the venue will attract more teams and children to use the facility.
Cannock: Funding of £750 was used to provide IT equipment and volunteer training to set up and run a Crisis Support Centre based at the Pye Green Christian Centre.