READING Borough Council has announced that 35 community organisations are set to receive shares of more than £150,000 of funding.
It follows the latest round of the council’s Small Grants Funding, which sees groups from the borough apply for funding to help local projects last year.
The council set aside £150,000 aimed at helping to benefit parts of the town where need was greatest through support for grass-roots projects tackling inequality and providing volunteering opportunities.
Grants of up to £5,000 were available, with bids of under £2,500 also encouraged with the aim of providing direct support to some of the smaller scale local activities which operate in Reading’s communities
In the latest round of funding a total of 61 bids were received by the council, 35 of which were successful.
Among those who will be receiving grants are Graft Thames Valley Ltd, which helps disadvantaged job seekers to access meaningful employment; South Reading over-50’s Social Club, which offers social opportunities for vulnerable older people; and Stepping Forward, to expand its support and advice for disabled individuals and carers.
Faith Christian Group also received funding to support the running of a network of food pantries, and Kidical Mass Reading, which runs bike repair workshops.
The scheme also saw successful bids from Forgotten British Gurkha Veterans Charity, Reading Athletic Club, East Reading Festival, Barbados and Friends Association, Enrych, and Reading Ukrainian Community Centre Library.
Reading Council Leader, Councillor Liz Terry, said: “We know Reading is a town where not everybody has the same life chances.
“These grants allow the Council to help communities to build self-sufficiency and to access opportunities, whether that is through skills and training for future employment, or by simply offering people chances to volunteer or participate in local activities, which can make a big difference.
“We recognise the enormous value this wide range of activities bring to people’s lives, which is why we have continued to set aside this funding which highlights that our priority continues to be to enable as many residents as possible to share in our town’s success.”
Councillor Ellie Emberson, Lead for Corporate Services and Resources, added: “Reading’s incredible community and voluntary sector has again come to the fore through this latest opportunity to bid for funds.
“We know grass-roots groups can reach individuals and communities which we would otherwise find difficult to, and I look forward to seeing the results on the ground of another amazing array of activities which will be on offer.”
A full list of organisations set to receive funding is available via: reading.gov.uk
