Local resident groups please note

£50,000 worth of grants for projects and schemes run by the voluntary sector will be available in the next financial year Council bosses announced today.

The Emerging Needs and New Initiatives and Small Grants schemes, run by Kingston Council, will continue in 2015/2016 despite the Council facing reduced finances over the coming year.

Local groups will be able to apply for up to £3,000 per project from the Emerging Needs fund and up to £750 from the Small Grants scheme.  To be eligible the application must achieve one or more aims by:

• creating a sustainable Kingston by protecting or enhancing the environment for us and future generations
• sharing prosperity and creating opportunity
• preventing problems and promoting responsibility and independence

Applications for funding need to be in by Friday 27 February through www.kingston.gov.uk or by emailing grants@kingston.gov.uk.

Councillor Julie Pickering, Lead Member for Supporting the Voluntary Sector said,

“Despite these austere times and the Council having to make some really tough decisions about finances, one thing is clear, it is vital we continue to support organisations on the ground.  They make a real and lasting difference to the quality of life for our communities.

“These grants will go some way to helping our voluntary and charitable sectors support those people in Kingston who need it the most, or that want to create a project that will add something to the area for everyone to enjoy.

“I look forward to seeing applications from a wide range of organisations operating within the borough.”

In addition to the fund, to support the borough’s voluntary sector, local groups were recently invited to take part in a highly successful commissioning workshop. This established how services might be provided and financed in the future and how local groups can prepare themselves to be commissioned when opportunities arise.

Over 80 people attended the event and Commissioners for key services gave an update on current activities.  A further workshop will be held in February 2015 (date to be confirmed).

For those organisations interested in attending the next commissioning workshop in February, please register by emailing Kingston Voluntary Action admin@kva.org.uk.