A number of voluntary and community sector groups in the borough have successfully bid for a share of the council’s grants programme.

Bidding for a share of funding from the £35k Main Grants Pot, which opened in February, successful applicants have now been contacted.

Successful applicants for the first round of this funding include:

• The Old Needle Works Foundation - Problem Solving Parents - £5,745
• Redditch Nightstop - Safe Accommodation and Support Project - £7,500
• BARN - Volunteer Centre Redditch - £7,171.68
• ISOC UK – Core Costs - £3,000
• Redditch Local History Museum – Set Up Costs - £3,000
• Where Next Association – Bulbs, Plants etc - £2,000
• Sandycroft – Core Costs - £6,500

As part of this round, a further £5k was allocated specifically for projects tackling the impact of Covid-19 on mental health and wellbeing. This money was successfully bid for by YMCA Worcester - Mental Health Champions.

The second round of funding will take place in the autumn of this year. Anyone applying for grant funding from these pots can bid for anything between £500 and £7,500 to help with core costs, salaries or for community events, projects, and activities.

Voluntary Community Sector Grants Coordinator, Ann Dallison, said: “We had so many excellent bids entered for this round of grants. We have no doubt that the successful bids will have a huge impact on the local community and support lots of our residents in navigating their way back to a post-covid world. For those unsuccessful applicants, please do not hesitate to get in touch regarding other forms of support available, including the Redditch Community Lottery.”

For more information see www.redditchbc.gov.uk/grants.