Various charity and community groups in Northampton have been successful in securing grant funding from Northampton Borough Council’s Community Enabling Fund set up to support and help communities in the town.
Following an invitation last year to submit bids for available grant funding of £577,500, an increase of more than £25,000 on the previous year’s budget, some 50 bids amounting to £1,251,656 were submitted to the council by the closing date on 14 January.
In February the fund’s advisory panel made up of cross-party councillors and three representatives from the Voluntary Sector met to consider each application. Applications were evaluated on how closely they met the council’s criteria for offering advice, guidance and practical support to communities and to vulnerable people in particular as well as opportunities for active community engagement projects.
Twenty-six charities and community groups have now been selected to receive grant funding this year. These include Age Concern, Citizens Advice Bureau, Community Law Service, the Doddridge Centre, Northampton Door to Door Service and the Hope Centre.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Paul Varnsverry, Northampton Borough Council cabinet member for community engagement, said: “We are committed to doing all we can to support charitable and community groups in the town. This year we have managed to help 24 groups which is eight more than last year, which I am really pleased about.
“All of the successful applicants offer invaluable help and support to people in need across Northampton and we know this money will make a real difference to them and the people who use their services.”
A further £50,000 was added to the pot earlier this year for small grants of up to £2,000 and a decision over how this will be allocated for the maximum benefit to the people of Northampton is yet to be made.
This is in sharp contrast to the Conservatives on both South Northants Council and the County Council which have both slashed the support they have given to voluntary groups.
“The actions of both South Northants Council and the County Council will inevitably put at risk the future of many of the voluntray groups which previously has relied upon these funders to make ends meet. It is a false economy to not fund voluntary and support groups properly as the costs which fall upon the councils if these groups cease to carry out their aims is, and will be, significantly more then the sums being removed in funding.” Said Scott in response to the cuts.
The 24 successful applications are:
Age Concern, £76,500 to provide advice and guidance for older people and their carers
Autism Concern, £5,000 to provide support for carers and victims of autism
Citizens Advice Bureau, £81,000 to provide broad based advice and guidance
Community Law Service, £81,000 to provide specialist advice and guidance on legal rights and similar
Doddridge Centre, £16,500 to provide facilities for a range of community and voluntary organisations and groups
*Dostiyo, £6,000 to provide a domestic abuse support worker
**Families in Partnership, £10,000 to provide family advocacy where a family member has a learning disability
Home Start, £18,000 to provide support to struggling families
*Hope Centre, £18,000 to provide a day centre for homeless people
**Indian Hindu Welfare Organisation, £10,000 to provide community development projects
Manna House Counselling, £8,000 to provide affordable personal counselling services
*Nene Valley Christian Family Refuge, £4,000 to provide a ‘Stay Free’ programme for survivors of domestic abuse
**Northampton Bangladeshi Association, £4,000 to develop a women’s forum
**Northampton Counselling Service, £3,000 to provide affordable personal counselling services
Northampton Door to Door Service, £73,000 to provide community transport services
Northampton Volunteering Centre, £6,000 to provide a service to tidy and landscape gardens for infirm people
*Northampton Rape and Incest Crisis Centre, £30,000 to support victims of sexual violence
Northampton Women’s Aid, £45,000 to provide support to victims of domestic abuse
Northants Rights and Equalities Council, £19,000 to provide support to people suffering from discrimination, in asserting their rights
Platform 51 (was YWCA), £5,500 to support disadvantaged young mothers
Shopmobility, £27,500 to provide mobility assistance in the town centre
Tools for Self Reliance, £6,000 to provide therapeutic work for disabled and recovering people
Users Support Service, £6,500 to provide advocacy and support groups for care homes residents with learning disabilities
Victim Support, £18,000 to support victims of crime and anti-social behaviour
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