Local grants

On Saturday 6 May 2023 the Coronation of His Majesty The King will take place. The Ceremony at Westminster Abbey, London will see His Majesty King Charles III crowned alongside The Queen Consort.

To mark this historic occasion Telford & Wrekin Council is launching a new grant; The King’s Coronation Celebration Fund. The fund offers an opportunity to bring communities together for His Majesty King Charles III and to celebrate his new reign.

The fund will support local communities to either hold their own Coronation events and celebrations or carry out a Coronation project or create a lasting legacy marking the occasion.

The aim is to make the Coronation weekend one to remember, as well as supporting projects throughout the Coronation year that create lasting memories, legacies and installations that will mark the occasion for years to come. It will be a time for celebration, community spirit and for marking and looking forward to the future of the King’s reign.

Full grant information can be found on the The King's Coronation Celebration Fund page.

Closing date: 29 January 2023.

Background

The rising cost of living is increasing financial pressures on many households, this is likely to worsen during the colder months. Many will have to choose between heating and eating.

The grant is to help provide welcoming warm places for residents to visit, where they can have something to eat and take part in social activities, helping to bring communities together at this difficult time.

We know there are some organisations with plans to open their facilities and provide free hospitality over the winter, but many community settings will struggle with running costs and may see a drop in the number of visitors they get. This grant scheme will cover some of their running costs so more facilities can stay open over the winter.

This grant is intended to support and enhance community-accessible venues that provide facilities for residents facing cost of living challenges. This includes town and parish councils, voluntary and community organisations and schools.

Applications to this scheme are currently closed. 

Grant value

The Cost of Living Community Grant offers up to £5,000 to community organisations who run or hire buildings that serve residents living in Telford and Wrekin.

The grant will help organisations provide a welcoming warm space for people to visit, where they can have something to eat, take part in social activities and receive information and guidance directing them to sources for further individual help and support.

This may be new provision or it can enhance but not replace existing provision. The funding is only available for the period of November 2022 to February/March 2023.

Applicants are expected to liaise with their respective Town and Parish Councils who, if not making an application themselves, have been asked by Telford & Wrekin Council to consider match-funding to support those organisations delivering this scheme. Applicants can also approach their local ward members to enquire about match funding from the Councillor Pride Fund.

Match funding can be cash or in-kind, but is not mandatory. The cost of staff time cannot be included as match funding.

If we receive several applications for community buildings in the same ward, we may ask applicants to discuss how they can work together. So we advise all applicants to contact their neighbouring community buildings before applying: we will be happy to receive any queries you may have.

Payments cannot be made to personal bank accounts. Where a group does not have a bank account it must provide the name of an organisation willing to manage the funds on their behalf.

Who can apply?

Not for profit organisations such as voluntary community groups, charities, social enterprises, schools, Parish and Town Council's.

Grant criteria

Services and activities provided under this grant must:

• be in a building that is warm and easy to access by local residents
• provide a space that is free to use and allows people to stay for as long as they want - your offer should be a minimum of 3 hours per day, there is no minimum or maximum number of days per week
• be a friendly, comfortable environment where people feel at ease and at home
• provide free food and drinks – hot drinks and snacks at a minimum, preferably hot food
• have a range of activities
• have information, advice and guidance that signposts people to more support should they need it
• be in a position to start providing from November 2022.

Examples of what residents could receive and have access to include

Food:

• light meals such as soup, beans on toast, toasties and baked potatoes
• full hot meals for different dietary requirements.

Activities:

• a library corner, books, newspapers and magazines
• board games, arts & craft activities
• organised activities such as a film show, a quiz, exercise class or volunteer opportunities within your building.

Advice, guidance and Information:

• printed information, staff/volunteers trained in advice and support, other services providing sessions (e.g. citizens advice, housing support, debt advice, listening services etc.).

Facilities:

• free wifi, free computer devices available for use
• areas for agile working
• community fridge, food bank or food waste-sharing schemes may be beneficial
• outdoor space/activities
• good car parking
• good physical access, hearing loops, accessible toilets, baby changing.

Stepping into Spring

This one-off grant is being made available because of the effect winter will have on those hit hardest by the cost of living crisis. As the service will end with winter it is important that those visiting your provision are helped to move on. There are many ways in which you can do this, such as: encouraging them to join clubs and activities at your centres; creating partnerships with other agencies to ensure individuals receive the support they are eligible for; encouraging them to get involved in volunteering, training or employment opportunities.

Funding Available

Applications will be assessed on the criteria above. Grants of up to £5,000 are available. However, it is expected that those requesting larger amounts will offer more substantial opening times, full meals and organised activities.

Eligible and ineligible costs

You may apply to this fund to cover costs such as:

• room hire
• meals/refreshments
• resources
• staff costs
• marketing and promotion.

What we can’t fund:

• the purchase of alcohol
• services that are profit making
• VAT you can reclaim
• staff time that is already contracted
• activities that promote religious or political causes
• projects that take place outside of the borough of Telford and Wrekin
• projects that attract residents who live outside the borough of Telford and Wrekin.

These lists are not exhaustive. We reserve the right to discount applications that do not adequately demonstrate how the proposed expenses will meet the criteria outlined above, or where the application does not demonstrate value for money.

How to apply and timeline

Applications are now closed. 

• applications open - Wednesday 19 October 2022
• applications close - 12am (midnight) Sunday 6 November 2022 
• shortlisting - week commencing 7 November 2022
• all applicants informed of outcome - week commencing 14 November 2022.

For further information please contact us by email at grant.applications@telford.gov.uk or call 01952 381365.

The Councillors’ Pride Fund gives all Councillors in Telford and Wrekin the opportunity to allocate funding towards improvements or projects within their ward which help to deliver one or more of the following Council Priorities, which support the Council’s mission statement to “protect, care and invest to create a better borough”:

• every child, young person and adult lives well in their community
• everyone benefits from a thriving economy
• all neighbourhoods area a great place to live
• our natural environment is protected – we take a leading role in addressing the climate change emergency;
• a community-focused innovative council providing efficient, effective and quality services.

In 2022/23 each Councillor will have £10,000 to contribute to projects to support communities projects and facilities. 

Councillors are asked to consider how they can use their funding to support environmental projects in their ward including:

• environmentally friendly projects which support the Council’s aspiration for the whole Borough to be carbon neutral and a recognised Plastic Free Community
• projects which improve the environment of the ward and which complement the Pride in our Community Programme.

The 2022/23 round of funding will close on 1 February 2023, please contact your local Councillor to make them aware of your group if you think this fund could support you before making an application. 

Download the Councillors' Pride Fund allocations in 2020 / 2021

Telford & Wrekin Council are offering two grants to support the development of groups and projects that will reduce demand on Council services, facilitate community self-help and build resilient communities. 

The Capacity Building Fund – Get started

This fund offers up to £2,000 to support the creation of community and voluntary organisations which facilitate community self-help, create resilient communities and reduce demand on council services.

How to apply

It is important that you read the guidance document for this grant, this gives you all the information you need to decide whether this is the right grant for you and will help you to ensure that your application is eligible. Tips for completing your application are also available to help you fill in your application form. 

Applications can be submitted at any time by emailing grant.applications@telford.gov.uk.

If you are successful you will be asked to complete a short monitoring form to tell us about the difference the grant has made. You will also be provided with guidance on communications to give you ideas on how you can let people know about your project.

Capacity Building Fund – Develop 

This fund offers up to £10,000 to support the development of groups and projects which offer preventative, community-based services. The fund aims to help communities to build capacity, in order to empower and encourage self-help resulting in a reduction in reliance on Council and other public services. Eligible organisations who are keen to develop their organisation both in terms of increasing capacity/reach and/or providing new opportunities for communities will be able to apply for funding to assist with developing community based projects and activities.

How to apply

It is important that you read the guidance document for this grant, this gives you all the information you need to decide whether this is the right grant for you and will help you to ensure that your application is eligible. Tips for completing your application are also available to help you fill in your application form.

Applications can be submitted at any time by emailing grant.applications@telford.gov.uk.

If you are successful in your application you will be asked to complete a short monitoring form to tell us about the difference the grant has made. You will also be provided with guidance on communications to give you ideas on how you can let people know about your project. 

Telford & Wrekin Council's Happy Healthy & Active Holiday programme is an exciting programme that mixes positive, enriching and engaging activities with healthy, nutritious meals. It’s available for all local children and young people aged 5-16 who are eligible for income-related free school meals.

This programme supports those children, young people and families who often miss out on organised out-of-school activities. Although they receive support for healthy meals during school terms, that’s not available during the holidays – the very time when they are most likely to suffer additional pressures.

Organisations who want to run clubs during the Easter, Summer and Christmas school holidays 2022-24 can apply for funding.

Visit the Happy Healthy & Active Holidays webpage for more information and to apply.

idverde offers two grants for community and environmental projects that improve local green spaces, enhance the environment or boost people’s wellbeing.

Applications for grants of up to £1,000 are available to not-for-profit community groups in Telford and Wrekin.

Applications can be for a range of ideas, such as new planters to brighten up a community or public space, bulbs and seeds for community gardens or play equipment for a local play area. As well as practical equipment, funding can also go towards promotion and education.

• The idverde Community Investment Fund offers grants of up to £1,000 to groups located in areas where idverde operates, which includes Telford and Wrekin. This is a rolling grant scheme with up to £40,000 available every year. For more information visit the idverde website. 

• Does your group or society make a positive difference to your environment and/or community within Telford and Wrekin?
• Would your group or society benefit from financial support in order to continue the good work you do in your local community?

If you answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then Veolia might be able to help with their EnviroGrant scheme. Grants are available to community groups for projects that benefit the local community or environment.

What is the EnviroGrant Scheme and who can apply?

The EnviroGrant funding scheme is run by recycling contractor Veolia in conjunction with Telford and Wrekin Council; it is part of the added value brought to the borough by Veolia.

EnviroGrant gives grants of up to £1000 for projects that benefit the local community or the environment, This could be projects that improve or protect the local environment through practical action or education, projects that improve the quality of life for the local community by providing or improving facilities and resources.

The fund is aimed at projects requiring up to £1,000. There is a limited amount of money available and consequently applications can only be made to the scheme once per calendar year. Funding can be granted for a variety of projects and activities including promotion and marketing, education and awareness raising, practical equipment and running costs.

Funding is at the discretion of Veolia. The amount granted will be paid directly to your organisation by cheque.

To apply, groups must be properly constituted not-for-profit organisations in the borough of Telford and Wrekin. Full terms and conditions can be found on the information leaflet.

Applications are currently closed

Visit Veolia Envirogrant scheme website to be kept up to date on when the next round opens. 

Your local Town or parish Council may have grant opportunities. Find out about your Town or Parish Council.

Supporting families, children and community projects that benefit children aged up to and including 18 who are disadvantaged, disabled or ill to improve the day-to-day quality of life. Visit Free Radio cash for kids website.