READING Borough Council has opened its latest round of funding applications for community group activities and projects.
The council is seeking bids for funding to deliver local activities from grassroots and community groups, particularly to parts of town which are most in need.
The Small Grants Fund sees £200,000 shared between applicants, with those chosen receiving £5,000 for individual groups and £10,000 for partnership bids.
Bidding opened on Monday, June 12, and closes on Sunday, July 23.
While bidding criteria is non-prescriptive to encourage a variety and range, but groups are being asked to demonstrate key elements of the council’s Tackling Inequality Strategy.
These include enabling everyone in Reading to share in the town’s success; driving attainment in skill, education, training and access to employment; and supporting people in areas of the town where need is greatest.
Previous rounds of funding saw support for Children with disabilities and sensory needs through Berkshire Deaf Children’s Society, which received funding to provide British Sign Language Interpreters for its events last year.
Assisting Berkshire Children (ABC) to Read received funding to train and support 10 new one-on-one mentors for literacy and confidence tutoring.
The Alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality has been given support for its Reading Windrush Festival.
Cllr Jason Brock, Reading Borough Council leader, said: “Reading is known for the huge variety and depth of grassroots and voluntary sector groups in the town.
“The Council has once again set aside funding this year to ensure they are able to deliver a range of activities which make a real difference on the ground, particularly in communities where people may not always have the same life chances as others.
“It is difficult to put a price on the incredible array of activities which were delivered as part of last year’s Small Grants Fund and the difference they have made in local communities and to people’s lives.”
He explained: “The bidding window is now open to groups across the town, whether they have previously been awarded funding or not.
“I’m certain our amazing voluntary sector will come to the fore once again.”
