Wokingham

Nine voluntary projects and social firms in Wokingham have been boosted by funding of £62,000 from the Berkshire Community Foundation (BCF) in the last three years - thanks partly to the efforts of Wokingham District Council’s income generation team.

Income generation officers from Wokingham council have been advising and supporting local organisations in their bids for ‘global grants’ from the BCF – and, as a result, the amount of global grant funding channelled into groups in the Wokingham district has doubled in the scheme’s second three-year phase.

Global grants enabled smaller groups to apply for European Social Funding (ESF). Charities, voluntary and community groups and new social firms supporting people in Berkshire were able to apply. Global grants were intended to increase the provision of activities or services that will help people move towards employment, including:

· Activities that help to build confidence and self esteem
· Life skills, interpersonal skills, teambuilding courses / activities
· Training courses for basic skills, for instance literacy and numeracy
· New social enterprises and co-operatives.

The grants are intended to pay for the running costs of the project such as transport, childcare, tools and equipment, venue hire, publicity and promotion. More than £1,000,000 has been awarded across Berkshire since the scheme began in 2001.

“Global Grants have been fantastic for small groups and new community businesses that need practical and financial support to turn their ideas into reality,” says Carrie Guinan, Project Manager from BCF. The Global Grants scheme is now closed but there are other funding opportunities on the BCF’s website for groups with innovative ideas to address the needs of young children and older adults. Please visit www.berksfoundation.org.uk to find out more.

WDC’s Executive member for community development Dianne King said: “Global Grants gave us a massive opportunity to enhance the employment prospects of disadvantaged people in our district. There are many excellent voluntary groups in Wokingham helping people to gain the skills and confidence they need. I’m delighted that the council has been able to provide such a good support service to them in their applications for funds. This is exactly the kind of partnership working that Wokingham District Council likes to support.”

Wokingham District Council