3 ways to support your community group in these challenging times
Thank you to our colleagues at Wyre Council and Lancashire County Council for passing on the following opportunities for funding and advice to support community groups and projects.
As a voluntary group, charity or a small business it's important to seek advice on how you progress, and possibly grow to best achieve your goals.
Social Enterprise Lancashire Network (Selnet) was established in 2005 by a group of practitioners who recognised the support needed for voluntary & community organisations and social businesses to flourish. They have already supported a number of local projects and would like to help even more.
If you'd like to find out about the support available for your organisation, start by completing and sending in the questionnaire linked below then an advisor will be in touch. You could get two days of support bespoke to your organisation and at no cost as it is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
> email your completed questionnaire to hello@selnet-uk.com
> see the Selnet website here for information
Wyre Council have launched the Cost of Living Support Grant for Community Organisations. Funding has been provided by the NHS (via Lancashire & South Cumbria Integrated Care Board) to support the activities of local organisations and groups within the voluntary, community, faith sector helping vulnerable people during the cost of living crisis.
Projects could include support to vulnerable households that are struggling with the cost of living; schemes supporting social interaction and participation; support for community buildings and outreach support.
Bids are invited for funding to support either existing or new projects in Wyre.
The funding must be spent by 31 March 2023.
> Further information and to apply for a Cost of Living Support Grant - see the Wyre Council website
Lancashire Culture and Sports Fund is a funding initiative, which gives communities the chance to create and support local culture and sport projects.
Crowdfund Lancashire enables everyone to contribute towards their community - chipping in as little as £2 to help bring ideas to life. In addition to the contributions that local people make, the county council will support eligible projects with a pledge from the new £500,000 Lancashire Culture & Sport Fund (LCSF).
The LCFS fund will be used to 'top up' funding for projects with pledges covering up to 50% of the project's total target as follows:
Constituted groups and not-for-profit organisations can apply for a top-up pledge of up to £20,000
Parish and town councils can apply for a top-up pledge of up to £5,000
Individuals and businesses delivering a not-for-profit project with public benefit can apply for a top-up pledge of up to £1,500
If you're interested in creating a project and want to find out more, visit the Lancashire Culture and Sport Fund webpage, or join the free online workshop on Thursday 12 January 2023 between 12noon and 1pm