22 organisations have been recommended to receive a grant
Twenty-two local projects, including several schemes to support young people, have been recommended to share money from the Wandsworth Grant Fund.
A range of voluntary and community projects, charities and local organisations have been recommended to receive a grant in the fifth round of funding. This follows the 21 local projects that shared more than £108,000 in the fourth round last autumn. An additional £20,000 will be allocated to fund the 2018 Wandsworth Arts Fringe.
See the committee agenda and full list of applicants.
The Wandsworth Grant Fund supports a wide range of not for profit activities in the following categories:
• Arts and Culture
• Environment and Attractive Neighbourhoods
• Children and Young People
• Citizenship and Civic Engagement
• Raising Aspirations and Potential
• Health and Well being
Since it was launched in April 2015 around £744,000 has been awarded from the Wandsworth Grant Fund.
The fund has streamlined the way the council allocates small grants. Just one team now manages the administration of various different grants that were previously overseen by several council departments, including funding towards the Wandsworth Arts Fringe.
Evaluation and assessment is done by specialist council offers and councillors scrutinise the process to ensure value for money and that money is going where it will most benefit borough residents. Recommendations for funding were agreed by a meeting of the council’s Executive on June 19.
Projects receiving funding include:
Battersea Crime Prevention Panel: The money will send a group of around 45 disadvantaged young people from across the borough to a residential activity centre in Kent. They will take part in a wide range of outward-bound type activities based on land and sea with targeted evening workshops. The project is aimed at breaking down postcode barriers and improving self esteem
Carney’s Community: A grant will be given to replace the boiler at this Battersea charity, which gets young people off the streets and gives them skills, discipline and self-respect.
Future Skills Training: This charity delivers education and youth support services. The funding is for its Infuse youth café and club which provides a safe and fun environment for young people
Full Circles Therapies: The money will help expand the service provided at St George’s Hospital for people with Sickle Cell Disease.
Other projects and groups getting significant amounts of funding include: The Black Heroes Soul Food Café to provide an artistic space for Wandsworth’s African and Caribbean communities, Business Launchpad to help young entrepreneurs, The Community Church Putney to fund a new youth group, Football Beyond Borders for its unique football-based literacy project, volunteer tech support project CommuniTech London, Coney Ltd working with prolific offenders, and Harvest of Grace which provides hot meals and support for homeless and vulnerable people. See the full list.
Grants committee chairman Cllr Melanie Hampton said: “The Wandsworth Grant Fund saw more home grown charities receive funding with a wonderful range of community projects. Spread the word and let us help you grow and thrive, taking your ideas and helping to make them happen.
“In Small Charity Week it is my great pleasure to support and applaud the very valuable work done by the Wandsworth voluntary sector. Keep it coming.”
“The projects receiving money during this round of funding are some of the most interesting, innovative and worthy yet. I would urge members of the local charity, community and voluntary sector to start thinking about their applications for round six.”
The next round of applications will be accepted from September. To receive regular information about the fund, fill out the subscribers form at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/wgf.
June 22, 2017