CHARITIES and community organisations creating long-term changes in people’s lives have been awarded a share of over £4 million, Reading Borough Council has announced.
Projects which improve residents’ health and wellbeing, reduce loneliness and inequalities, and provide support for carers and those facing poverty and debt, have all been funded.
The Closing the Gap project has seen successful organisations face a rigorous procurement process in 17 project categories, which have been refined and increased from 13 in the previous distribution of funds.
They each had to demonstrate an ability to effect change and benefit the lives of residents who need them.
The funding totals £4.02 million over three years, with the option to extend to five years bringing total funding up to £6.8 million.
The Carers Support funding was awarded to Reading and West Berks Carers Partnership, which provides support to carers through advice and assessments, while providing awareness through events and support groups.
Both Cost of Living Support and Debt Support funding went to Citizens Advice Reading Partnership, while the Ageing Well Support and Hospital to Home Support funding went to Age UK.
The Women’s Wellbeing Support was awarded to the Integrated Women’s Wellbeing Partnership Consortium, which includes Berkshire Women’s Aid, Reading Community Learning Centre, Utulivu Women’s Group, Get Berkshire Active, and Project Salama.
The Ethnically Diverse Communities Support was awarded to ACRE, and the Refugee Support funding to Reading Refugee Support Group in partnership with Reading Community Learning Centre.
Berkshire Vision was selected to receive the Visual Impairment Support funding, while Mustard Tree was chosen to receive the Young People’s Wellbeing Support.
Among the other organisations chosen to receive part of the funding were Together for Mental Wellbeing, Thames Valley Positive Support, Autism Berkshire, Reading Mencap, Reading Deaf Centre, and Enrych Berkshire.
Cllr Liz Terry, Leader of the Council, said: “The Council recognises that even with the funding it has available, this is not enough to support all the really great voluntary and community organisations working hard in our town to support people.
“The money that has been awarded to local voluntary sector organisations for an initial three-year period, provides the best support the Council can offer to provide the biggest benefit to residents and help tackle the inequalities which we know exist.
“We thank every organisation which took the time to apply.
Not every organisation could be successful given the number of organisations that put in bids.”
