Voluntary and community groups are invited to bid for up to £7.5k in the second round of the council’s grant funding for 2021, including a separate ‘Mental Health’ pot.

Due to Covid-19 and after consulting with VCS groups last year, the Main Grants pot has been split into two rounds. The first round for 2021 closed in February and the second round is now open for bids until 4pm on Wednesday 22nd September.

Anyone interested in applying can bid for funding from £500 up to £7.5K, to help with core costs and salaries or to support them to deliver great community events, projects and activities.

A total of £33k is available to bid for, with £5K specifically ringfenced to create a separate 'Mental Health' funding pot. From this pot, VCS groups can bid for between £500 and £5,000 to help them deliver specific projects to support those Redditch residents who have suffered from or have worsened mental health and wellbeing issues as a direct result of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Leader of Redditch Borough Council, Cllr Matt Dormer, said: “There were some fantastic projects delivered from the last round of funding and I look forward to seeing what comes from the second round. As a council we are committed to supporting voluntary community sector organisations to deliver projects and activities that have a positive and beneficial impact on Redditch communities.”

There is set criteria in place that anyone wishing to apply must meet. Each proposed project must be something that is needed in the area, well planned, outcome focussed and aligned to the Council’s Strategic Purposes.

For further details about the programme and how to apply, press here.