040803 South West voluntary and charitable organisations celebrate Community Fund grants

Lin Whitfield, Chair of the Community Fund’s South West Committee which makes the grant making decisions, added “I am pleased that these groups and the others that we are announcing grants for today have been successful in their applications and that their hard work has paid off. The quality of applications is very high and I urge those thinking of applying to contact our office and speak to staff before making an application.”

“Community Fund staff can advise would be applicants on our priorities and the type of projects most likely to receive funding ” Lin Whitfield continued. “We want Lottery money to reach the most disadvantaged people and areas of our region and help those most in need.”

“We are also very keen to encourage applications under our medium grant scheme for projects up to £60,000. This has a shorter application form and a quicker response time. Help and advice is only a telephone call away by ringing Louise Bowers, our Enquiries Officer on 01392 849701. She can advise on whether your group and your project should think about bidding for Lottery funding and also point you in the right direction for help in making the application.”

Bristol

The Shared Care Network is to receive £70,458 for a pilot project in both Bristol and Gloucester to raise the quality and improve access to short breaks for disabled children from black and minority ethnic communities.

Said Sue Mennear from The Shared Care Network “An enormous amount of research has been done into why families fro0m black and minority ethnic communities are not getting their fair share of services for disabled children. Time and time again the same obstacles have been highlighted but little has been done to change things.”

“This grant will help overcome some of these obstacles so that more families of disabled children from across the south west can benefit from a short break from caring. The Community Fund grant will give us the opportunity to communicate with these families directly so that we can make sure that services meet their needs.”

The Vassall Centre Trust is to receive a grant of £234,121 to develop two further areas of the specially designed workspace in Bristol for disabled people.

Stuart Orme, Chairman of The Vassall Centre Trust said: "We are delighted that the Community Fund has embraced our vision. This award provides a major boost to the needs and aspirations of disabled people and is greatly appreciated. It enables a quantum leap in the campaign for access, equality and inclusiveness which will make a huge difference for disabled people and carers by creating barrier free environments."

Cornwall

Age Concern in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is to receive a grant of £47,270 over two years to pay the salary of a new Group Development Officer, training and other running costs to develop the network of older people’s groups so that they be involved in local planning of services and activities.

Tracey Roose, from, Age Concern, on hearing of the grant said “This is such good news as the grant will help us support a series of new projects for older people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and it will help give older people a voice in their local community.”

Camborne District Guides are to receive £10,326 to pay for upgrading work, including disabled access facilities at their campsite at Carwinnen, near Camborne.

Dawn Hitchins of Camborne District Guides said “This Community Fund grant will make an enormous difference to the facilities on the campsite and will mean that disabled young people will be able to enjoy a visit and camping at Carwinnen alongside more able bodied youth groups.”

Devon

A grant of £162,541 over three years was awarded to Devon and Exeter Racial Equality Council. It will ensure that the Council can work with people and organisations to improve access for black and minority ethnic communities in rural areas. The Community Fund grant will pay the salary costs of two staff and running costs, as well as buying office equipment.

Said Tanvir Ahmed, Chair of Devon and Exeter Racial Equality Council, “ We are very grateful to the Community Fund for investing in our ideas for reducing the negative effects of exclusion. Getting it right in the future is better than re-writing the past.”

Barnstaple Poverty Action Group will receive £158,028 to expand the work of the organisation, which provides homeless people with food, crisis accommodation and clothing. This work will build on what has been achieved by this organisation with a previous Community Fund grant of £141,000 made in May 2000.

Sue Bennett of Barnstaple Poverty Action Group said “A further three year grant means that we can add more services and help more people and this support from the Community Fund is invaluable.”

Home-Start in Mid Devon has been awarded a grant of £120,631 over three years to pay the salaries of three staff and general running expenses as well as increasing the number of volunteers working with families in need of support.

Rita Fox of Home-Start in Mid Devon said, “This grant will mean that Home-Start Mid Devon can maintain its independence, confident in the knowledge that the unique support we offer local families, works. We are an organisation with its roots firmly planted in Mid Devon and, thanks to the Community Fund grant , our volunteers and families, management committee and staff, will be able to continue to play our part in building a community within Mid Devon. To have the Community Fund's recognition of the work Home-Start Mid Devon is doing, means so much more than just the money.”

Keyham Community Partnership in Plymouth is to receive a Community Fund grant of £53,907 for a one year project to co-ordinate and support existing community development projects in the Keyham area of Plymouth. The grant will pay for one full time and one part time Development Worker, as well as training and general running costs.

Said Paul Welcomme of Keyham Community Partnership, on hearing of the Community Fund grant, “ This is wonderful news. We are over the moon. The grant will mean that projects in Keyham can work together for the benefit of everybody in the ward and that we will be able to produce a cohesive development strategy for Keyham.”

North Dorset

The North Dorset Citizens Advice Bureaux is to receive a grant of £111,330 over three years to pay the salary and general running costs so as to continue the advice service to people in debt and to run financial literacy training courses.

Trudie Phillips, the Bureaux manager,said on hearing news of the Community Fund grant “We are delighted that we will be able to continue with the debt advice project for the benefit of people in North Dorset. Debt can strike people when they least expect it and causes terrible worry and stress. Hopefully this project will keep people in their homes and give them hope and we would like to thank the Community Fund for financing this project for a further three years.”

Somerset

Mind in Taunton are to receive a grant of £98,109 to develop their work, supported by a previous Community Fund grant, helping people experiencing mental and emotional distress. The new grant over the next three years will pay the salaries of three existing part time staff, training, travel and other running expenses.

Lindy Booth of Mind said, on hearing news of the grant “ This Community Fund grant will make a big difference to the numbers of people we can support and will help ensure the future of Mind in Taunton and West Somerset.”

The Somerset Rural Youth Project will receive £156,887 over three years to encourage young people to become involved in their local communities and initiatives to tackle conflict and crime.

Said John Stow, Somerset Rural Youth Project’s Community Programme Manager, “This Community Fund grant is great news and it will really help young people throw off the stigma of always getting the blame, and give them the chance to get noticed for doing something positive.”

South Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau is to receive a grant of £129,947 to fund a home visiting project which provides access to advice and information services for the elderly and housebound, as well as others who would otherwise be unable to access this type of service.

Said Monica Carrier of South Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau “The Board, Staff and Volunteers of South Somerset CAB are delighted to have received a grant offer. The Bureau has been working for a long time to address the needs of those who live in rural and economic isolation and who therefore suffer exclusion from the many services and amenities, which should be available to them. This grant will open up equality of opportunity for many individuals which will bring other diverse benefits to the whole of the local area.”

Swindon

The Working for Opportunities Trust is to receive a grant of £212,881 to expand the services they offer helping disabled people recognise their skills and raising their confidence so that they can find work. The grant will pay the salary costs of four staff as well as travel, training and general running costs.

John Green of The Working for Opportunities Trust said “This grant will help disabled people to be recognised for the work they can do and not their disability.”

The Swindon Coalition for Disabled People is to receive a grant of £198,473 over three years to continue and develop services that help disabled people to play a full time part in their communities, enjoying the same opportunities as other people.

Stephen Milner of the Swindon Coalition of Disabled People said "Swindon Coalition of Disabled People appreciates the continued support of the Community Fund whose grant will enable us to continue our work and develop it in working with black and minority ethnic people and children and young people. We will also be working with groups and organisations in the voluntary sector to ensure that they understand the benefits of making their services accessible."

Torbay

The 66 Route Youth Trust are to receive a grant of £99,554 over two years to pay the salaries of one full time and ten part time staff, rent and running costs to develop the ‘Chill’d Out Youth Project’ drop in advice and information centre.

Jenny Hunt of The 66 Route Youth Trust said “ This grant comes at a particularly exciting time as Chill’d Out Youth Project looks to develop and build on the essential service it provides to young people living in Torquay and those visiting the area. We are thrilled at this news and looking forward to the future that this grant will provide.”

Torbay Churches Homeless Trust is to receive a grant of £200,000 to improve a hostel for homeless people in Torbay. The grant will pay for partitioning, electrical work and the installation of a lift.

Trevor Barfoot, Chairman of Torbay Churches Homeless Trust said, “This grant is brilliant and long awaited news. It will means that we can realise our dream, conceived many years ago, and start construction of the first direct access hostel for both men and women that offers single room accommodation with private facilities for counselling, medical welfare etc with an emphasis on privacy and dignity.”

Groups working across all regions of the South West

The Monitoring Group Ltd, which runs a telephone help-line and works in conjunction with local Citizens Advice Bureaux, serves Bath and North East Somerset, Bournemouth, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset, particularly in the rural areas of these counties providing support for people who suffer racial abuse and violence. The Community Fund grant of £206,429 will cover the salary costs of three members of staff, local recruitment of volunteers and general running costs, which includes a helpline.

	4 August 2003 South West voluntary and charitable organisations celebrate their success in getting Community Fund lottery money
	The Community Fund today announced a new round of grants to local groups and charitable and voluntary organisations in the South West region. Lin Whitfield, Chair of the Community Fund’s South West Committee which makes the grant making decisions, added “I am pleased that these groups and the others that we are announcing grants for today have been successful in their applications and that their hard work has paid off. The quality of applications is very high and I urge those thinking of applying to contact our office and speak to staff before making an application.” “Community Fund staff can advise would be applicants on our priorities and the type of projects most likely to receive funding ” Lin Whitfield continued. “We want Lottery money to reach the most disadvantaged people and areas of our region and help those most in need.” “We are also very keen to encourage applications under our medium grant scheme for projects up to £60,000. This has a shorter application form and a quicker response time. Help and advice is only a telephone call away by ringing Louise Bowers, our Enquiries Officer on 01392 849701. She can advise on whether your group and your project should think about bidding for Lottery funding and also point you in the right direction for help in making the application.” Bristol The Shared Care Network is to receive £70,458 for a pilot project in both Bristol and Gloucester to raise the quality and improve access to short breaks for disabled children from black and minority ethnic communities. Said Sue Mennear from The Shared Care Network “An enormous amount of research has been done into why families fro0m black and minority ethnic communities are not getting their fair share of services for disabled children. Time and time again the same obstacles have been highlighted but little has been done to change things.” “This grant will help overcome some of these obstacles so that more families of disabled children from across the south west can benefit from a short break from caring. The Community Fund grant will give us the opportunity to communicate with these families directly so that we can make sure that services meet their needs.” The Vassall Centre Trust is to receive a grant of £234,121 to develop two further areas of the specially designed workspace in Bristol for disabled people. Stuart Orme, Chairman of The Vassall Centre Trust said: "We are delighted that the Community Fund has embraced our vision. This award provides a major boost to the needs and aspirations of disabled people and is greatly appreciated. It enables a quantum leap in the campaign for access, equality and inclusiveness which will make a huge difference for disabled people and carers by creating barrier free environments." Cornwall Age Concern in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is to receive a grant of £47,270 over two years to pay the salary of a new Group Development Officer, training and other running costs to develop the network of older people’s groups so that they be involved in local planning of services and activities. Tracey Roose, from, Age Concern, on hearing of the grant said “This is such good news as the grant will help us support a series of new projects for older people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and it will help give older people a voice in their local community.” Camborne District Guides are to receive £10,326 to pay for upgrading work, including disabled access facilities at their campsite at Carwinnen, near Camborne. Dawn Hitchins of Camborne District Guides said “This Community Fund grant will make an enormous difference to the facilities on the campsite and will mean that disabled young people will be able to enjoy a visit and camping at Carwinnen alongside more able bodied youth groups.” Devon A grant of £162,541 over three years was awarded to Devon and Exeter Racial Equality Council. It will ensure that the Council can work with people and organisations to improve access for black and minority ethnic communities in rural areas. The Community Fund grant will pay the salary costs of two staff and running costs, as well as buying office equipment. Said Tanvir Ahmed, Chair of Devon and Exeter Racial Equality Council, “ We are very grateful to the Community Fund for investing in our ideas for reducing the negative effects of exclusion. Getting it right in the future is better than re-writing the past.” Barnstaple Poverty Action Group will receive £158,028 to expand the work of the organisation, which provides homeless people with food, crisis accommodation and clothing. This work will build on what has been achieved by this organisation with a previous Community Fund grant of £141,000 made in May 2000. Sue Bennett of Barnstaple Poverty Action Group said “A further three year grant means that we can add more services and help more people and this support from the Community Fund is invaluable.” Home-Start in Mid Devon has been awarded a grant of £120,631 over three years to pay the salaries of three staff and general running expenses as well as increasing the number of volunteers working with families in need of support. Rita Fox of Home-Start in Mid Devon said, “This grant will mean that Home-Start Mid Devon can maintain its independence, confident in the knowledge that the unique support we offer local families, works. We are an organisation with its roots firmly planted in Mid Devon and, thanks to the Community Fund grant , our volunteers and families, management committee and staff, will be able to continue to play our part in building a community within Mid Devon. To have the Community Fund's recognition of the work Home-Start Mid Devon is doing, means so much more than just the money.” Keyham Community Partnership in Plymouth is to receive a Community Fund grant of £53,907 for a one year project to co-ordinate and support existing community development projects in the Keyham area of Plymouth. The grant will pay for one full time and one part time Development Worker, as well as training and general running costs. Said Paul Welcomme of Keyham Community Partnership, on hearing of the Community Fund grant, “ This is wonderful news. We are over the moon. The grant will mean that projects in Keyham can work together for the benefit of everybody in the ward and that we will be able to produce a cohesive development strategy for Keyham.” North Dorset The North Dorset Citizens Advice Bureaux is to receive a grant of £111,330 over three years to pay the salary and general running costs so as to continue the advice service to people in debt and to run financial literacy training courses. Trudie Phillips, the Bureaux manager,said on hearing news of the Community Fund grant “We are delighted that we will be able to continue with the debt advice project for the benefit of people in North Dorset. Debt can strike people when they least expect it and causes terrible worry and stress. Hopefully this project will keep people in their homes and give them hope and we would like to thank the Community Fund for financing this project for a further three years.” Somerset Mind in Taunton are to receive a grant of £98,109 to develop their work, supported by a previous Community Fund grant, helping people experiencing mental and emotional distress. The new grant over the next three years will pay the salaries of three existing part time staff, training, travel and other running expenses. Lindy Booth of Mind said, on hearing news of the grant “ This Community Fund grant will make a big difference to the numbers of people we can support and will help ensure the future of Mind in Taunton and West Somerset.” The Somerset Rural Youth Project will receive £156,887 over three years to encourage young people to become involved in their local communities and initiatives to tackle conflict and crime. Said John Stow, Somerset Rural Youth Project’s Community Programme Manager, “This Community Fund grant is great news and it will really help young people throw off the stigma of always getting the blame, and give them the chance to get noticed for doing something positive.” South Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau is to receive a grant of £129,947 to fund a home visiting project which provides access to advice and information services for the elderly and housebound, as well as others who would otherwise be unable to access this type of service. Said Monica Carrier of South Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau “The Board, Staff and Volunteers of South Somerset CAB are delighted to have received a grant offer. The Bureau has been working for a long time to address the needs of those who live in rural and economic isolation and who therefore suffer exclusion from the many services and amenities, which should be available to them. This grant will open up equality of opportunity for many individuals which will bring other diverse benefits to the whole of the local area.” Swindon The Working for Opportunities Trust is to receive a grant of £212,881 to expand the services they offer helping disabled people recognise their skills and raising their confidence so that they can find work. The grant will pay the salary costs of four staff as well as travel, training and general running costs. John Green of The Working for Opportunities Trust said “This grant will help disabled people to be recognised for the work they can do and not their disability.” The Swindon Coalition for Disabled People is to receive a grant of £198,473 over three years to continue and develop services that help disabled people to play a full time part in their communities, enjoying the same opportunities as other people. Stephen Milner of the Swindon Coalition of Disabled People said "Swindon Coalition of Disabled People appreciates the continued support of the Community Fund whose grant will enable us to continue our work and develop it in working with black and minority ethnic people and children and young people. We will also be working with groups and organisations in the voluntary sector to ensure that they understand the benefits of making their services accessible." Torbay The 66 Route Youth Trust are to receive a grant of £99,554 over two years to pay the salaries of one full time and ten part time staff, rent and running costs to develop the ‘Chill’d Out Youth Project’ drop in advice and information centre. Jenny Hunt of The 66 Route Youth Trust said “ This grant comes at a particularly exciting time as Chill’d Out Youth Project looks to develop and build on the essential service it provides to young people living in Torquay and those visiting the area. We are thrilled at this news and looking forward to the future that this grant will provide.” Torbay Churches Homeless Trust is to receive a grant of £200,000 to improve a hostel for homeless people in Torbay. The grant will pay for partitioning, electrical work and the installation of a lift. Trevor Barfoot, Chairman of Torbay Churches Homeless Trust said, “This grant is brilliant and long awaited news. It will means that we can realise our dream, conceived many years ago, and start construction of the first direct access hostel for both men and women that offers single room accommodation with private facilities for counselling, medical welfare etc with an emphasis on privacy and dignity.” Groups working across all regions of the South West The Monitoring Group Ltd, which runs a telephone help-line and works in conjunction with local Citizens Advice Bureaux, serves Bath and North East Somerset, Bournemouth, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset, particularly in the rural areas of these counties providing support for people who suffer racial abuse and violence. The Community Fund grant of £206,429 will cover the salary costs of three members of staff, local recruitment of volunteers and general running costs, which includes a helpline. Notes for Editors The Community Fund shares out money raised by the National Lottery to charities and to voluntary and community groups. Out of every £1 spent on the National Lottery, the Community Fund gets 4.7 pence. A COMMUNITY FUND GRANT IS NOT A "WINDFALL" OR "HITTING THE JACKPOT" Although the application process has been made as straightforward as possible, getting a Community Fund grant, far from being a 'windfall' or hitting the 'lottery jackpot,' means that the organisation has put time and effort into preparing the application and submitting it. There is a thorough assessment process which determines how well the bid matches our programme and how successful the group is likely to be in carrying it out the work they say they are going to undertake. In addition there is considerable competition for our funds.		For further information on the Community Fund please contact Louise Bowers on 01392 849701.