Thirteen voluntary and community groups have been successful with their applications to receive a share of Colchester Borough Council’s £190,000 Voluntary Welfare Grant for 2020/2023.
Registered charities constituted voluntary and community organisations, and not-for-profit organisations across the borough were eligible to apply for a share of the grant.
Organisations submitted their applications via a competitive process and could apply for a one-off grant (covering a three-year period) of between £5,000 and £30,000. Applicants had to demonstrate that they strengthen Colchester’s communities, reduce social isolation and loneliness, and help the physical and mental wellbeing of residents.
Over £380,000 worth of requests were made to the fund. At a funding panel meeting in January, it was agreed that the 2020/21 fund would be split between a variety of organisations.
This includes Colchester Citizens Advice Bureau (£30,000), Dance Network Association (£20,000), Outhouse East (£22,834), Age Concern Colchester (£15,000), Centre for Action and Rape Abuse - CARA (£20,000), Colchester Gateway (£20,000), Open Road (£10,963.76), Open Door (£10,000), Colchester CAP Debt Centre (£9,237.58), Refugee Action Colchester (£8,000), Alife James Productions (£3,250), Hi Tension Trampoline Club (£1,714.66), and Colchester Youth Enquiry Service (£20,000).
Councillor Mike Lilley, Portfolio Holder for Communities, Wellbeing and Public Safety, said: “It’s always incredibly difficult deciding which organisations to award the Voluntary Welfare Grant to as we received so many fantastic applications to support local community groups.
“I’d like to congratulate all thirteen organisations who were successful and I’m really looking forward to seeing the great work that will take place across the borough over the coming three years as a result of this funding.”
For more information about the Voluntary Welfare Grant, please visit: colchester.gov.uk/voluntarywelfaregrant
One of Colchester Borough Council’s main priorities is to help make Colchester an even better place to live and support those who need most help. The Voluntary Welfare Grant is just one of the projects the Council provides to support vulnerable people and help to create a Better Colchester.
Page last reviewed: 27 February 2020