GRANT BOOST

 Community groups can get £1.5k boost 

A fresh boost to community groups and voluntary organisations across Erewash has been launched by the borough council – which is offering to help them out with fast funding grants of up to £1,500. The authority is keen to recognise the vital role of people who give up their time to make life better for others. Total funding of £40,000 has been made available for the year ahead. Groups eligible to share in the pot include registered charities, social enterprises and other volunteer organisations. They simply need to show that a group’s work benefits Erewash residents and that the grants will lead to more people accessing the project or event, and that more volunteer time will be generated by the funding. Details of how to apply are on the Erewash Borough Council website here: Community Grants (erewash.gov.uk)  

The grants are available now – and come from government money that the council has been awarded from what is called the Shared Prosperity Fund. Groups have until March 2025 to apply. In the past year the council awarded a total of £36,611 to 27 organisations. These included an “art on the park” project in Long Eaton, the Stanley Common-based Wednesday Club for older people, and The Hive – which promotes community beekeeping and gardening. The 21st Ilkeston Scout Group also benefitted, as did Long Eaton Sea Cadets, who got to buy mannequins for live-saving first aid training. Projects that help tackle the cost-of-living crisis or that improve mental and physical health are especially sought. The figure of £1,500 is the maximum that can be applied for – and there is no minimum. 

Erewash’s Deputy Leader Cllr Becca Everett, who is Lead Member for Community Engagement, said: “We are grateful to the many local organisations that support the work the council is doing and recognise that they often rely on volunteers. These kinds of groups are the heartbeat of the community – which is why they deserve all the help we can give them. We encourage groups who think they might be eligible for grants to contact our Community Engagement Officer to discuss the process.”