VCS invited to bid for up to £10k from council’s Main Grants pot.

Voluntary and community groups are invited to bid for up to £10k in the council’s grant funding for 2022, including a separate ‘Mental Health’ pot.

The Main Grants pot is now open for bids until 4pm, Friday 25th February. Due to covid-19 this funding has previously been split into two rounds, but this year it will revert back to the previous process and there will only be one round of funding with the whole pot up for grabs.

Anyone interested in applying can bid for funding from £500 up to £10K, to help with core costs and salaries or to support them to deliver great community events, projects, and activities.

A total of £101k is available to bid for, with £10K 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: “With the hope that the pandemic will soon be downgraded to endemic, and many restrictions being lifted, as the world starts to work its way towards a new sort of normal, VCS groups will be vital in helping our residents to navigate the change. The pandemic will unfortunately have lasting effects, so the mental health pot and added support for mental health related projects could make a big difference.

“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 and its residents. If you have an idea for a project or need help with core costs and salaries, please put in a bid.”

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, please visit our website www.redditchbc.gov.uk/grants.