Local voluntary organisations and projects in Gainsborough (Ipswich), Haverhill South and Kirkley (Lowestoft) will be able to apply for funding from the “Local Conversations” grant, which opens on Monday 20 July 2015.
The Local Conversations programme is a neighbourhood-led initiative developed by People’s Health Trust. The Trust, which works with HealthIntend society lottery to raise money through The Health Lottery, requires local organisations to support local people to take control of the design, development and delivery of the local initiatives.
Community Action Suffolk (CAS) is the lead agency to support the People’s Forums in Kirkley, Haverhill South and Gainsborough to develop these funds and roll them out. Each application can ask for upto £500 (£1000 in Kirkley).
Andrew Wilesmith, Senior Development Officer for Localities at CAS, said,
“We are excited to launch these grants, the People’s Forums and the CAS Community Field Officers have worked hard to get to this point. These are grants with a difference. Successful organisations will have to demonstrate how the local community has been a part of the decision making process and that they really want these projects. CAS will help those organisations but this is really about local people power.”
John Hume, Chief Executive, People’s Health Trust, said,
“We’re looking to support ideas designed and run by local people which help create even stronger links and ties within communities. Whether it’s a women’s volunteering group run by and for Bengali women; a computer skills support group run for and by older people; support for local people to become community organisers; or young people living with mental ill-health wishing to address access to work issues or discrimination, we’re interested to hear about it.”
Applications for funding can be made from Monday 20 July 2015 when the grant officially opens and support will be available from Community Action Suffolk.
For more information and to apply for a grant, visit www.communityactionsuffolk.org.uk/phtgrants