COMMUNITY grant applicants came together to celebrate the success of a wide range of achievements which have been supported by funding from the Forest District Council.

By demonstrating their value and support to the area, 17 local organisations have so far been awarded a share of nearly £24,000 from the scheme.

The funding is used for a wide variety of community initiatives, ranging from providing support and advice to vulnerable groups, to purchasing much needed equipment and materials for voluntary activity groups.

During the awards event, representatives from the organisations provided updates about their projects, the impact of the funding, and how they are using the money to benefit the community.

Councillor Paul Hiett, Cabinet Member for Communities, attended the celebration event on Wednesday, October 24, and was very pleased with the outcome,

“As always, the applicants for the grants set an extremely high standard and the organisations represented today showed how well they are meeting the priorities and criteria we set when deciding on recipients.

“It’s a great feeling to give a leg up to  some of the many small groups that help to improve the quality of life in our district, and to shine a light on the tireless work they get through for the benefit of local people.

“One of the attendees noted that just £2,000 worth of funding can deliver a saving of about £100,000 by helping older people negotiate a range of bureaucratic hurdles, including processes like applying for a blue disabled badge.

“There is still some funding available for the community grants on a ‘first come first served’ basis, so if you have a project that is geared to making communities better places to live, you may be eligible to apply.”

For more information and to download an application form, visit the Community grants & funding page on the council’s website.

The 2018/19 community grants pot will fund a maximum limit of £2,000 per project for constituted groups and £500 for non-constituted groups. 

Not-for-profit voluntary and community groups – both constituted and non-constituted – can apply.Those groups which have benefitted this year are Yorkley Mend and Repair Cafe (£500), Alvington Village Bell Ringers (£300), Forest of Dean Children’s Opportunity Centre (£2,000), Lydney and Coleford Taekwondo Club (£500), Forest of Dean and Wye Valley Men’s Shed (£2,000), Cinderford Bowling Cub (£2,000), Gloucestershire Squash Association (£500), Crossroads Care Forest of Dean and Herefordshire (£2,000), Lydbrook Community Care (£2,000), Lydney Dial-A-Ride (£2,000), Tutshill Community Preschool (£1,983), Ellwood Youth FC (£1,875), Huntley Cricket Club (£1,784), Shalom Groups (£1,050), Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust (£790), Forest Pulse (£2,000) and Orchard Trust (£676).