MORE THAN £115,000 of support has been given to 21 community organisations by Reading Borough Council.
It is the latest round of funding in the council’s Small Grant Fund Initiative, which sees voluntary and community groups apply for funding.
The council invited groups to bid for grants of up to £5,000, or up to £10,000 when bidding in partnership.
This round of funding saw more than £15,000 extra allocated as part of the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement scheme, which was distributed to three of the bids which were suitable.
It is the second round of funding in the council’s 2023/2024 programme of support through the scheme.
More than 80 bids were received and evaluated, and 21 groups were selected.
Among them was Berkshire Women’s Aid’s Choices scheme, which supports survivors of domestic abuse, AutAngel CIC, which provides a meeting place for members of the autistic community, and Sport in Mind in partnership with Get Berkshire Active.
Food4Families, Reading Community Learning Centre, Reading Refugee Support Group, Readipop (in partnership with Jelly), Caversham Muslim Association, The Rising Sun Arts Centre, Starting Point, RABBLE Theatre, PACT, and Home-Start Reading have all been chosen to receive funding.
The Weller Centre, Gabriels Wellbeing and Education CIC, The Count Me In Collective, The Engine Shed, Remap Berkshire, RealTime, Nature Nurture, and City Life also submitted successful bids.
Cllr Jason Brock, Reading Borough Council leader, said: “Our Small Grants Fund initiative was established to help tackle the barriers to progress which we know exist in some of our communities, and which have only been widened in recent years by the on-going cost-of-living crisis.
“We are extremely fortunate in Reading to boast a community and voluntary sector whose range of skills and knowledge are unrivalled, as is its ability to reach residents who require support.
“The sector has once again stepped up to deliver an incredible package of activities for local people, opening doors to residents which would not otherwise exist.”
Cllrr Liz Terry, Lead for Corporate Services and Resources, said: “A quick glance through the list of activities which will be delivered by the 21 successful bidders shows just how many residents and communities will benefit from them.
“It is why, despite the Council’s own financial challenges, it has once again ring-fenced funding for Reading’s amazing voluntary and community sector.
“I very much look forward to watching all of these initiatives come to fruition over the coming months, and the difference they will make to people’s lives.”
