Stratford-on-Avon District charities celebrate securing over half a million in funding

Charities at the forefront of the COVID recovery and Cost of Living Crisis are celebrating securing over £500,000 since the start of the pandemic, thanks to support from a Stratford-on-Avon District Council funded project.

Warwickshire Community and Voluntary Action is commissioned by Stratford-on-Avon District Council to employ a part time Development Officer whose primary role is to identify funding opportunities for community groups, supporting them to make successful applications in an ever increasingly competitive environment for voluntary sector funding.

Groups supported by the Development Officer include:

• Homestart South Warwickshire, Barnardo's, Parenting Project and By Your Side who secured £39,439 for the Dad Matters project which supports new dads who have struggled with their mental health.
• Stour Health and Wellbeing Partnership who recently secured £10,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund, supporting the delivery of community-based projects in improving the wellbeing of local residents.
• £40,000 for adults with a disability in Alcester.
• £66,180 for the employment of the first community development worker, with a specific focus in Clopton and Bishopton.
• £175,000 secured towards rebuilding Wixford Village Hall and £24,065 for its work to address the climate emergency.
• Over £60,000 of European funding to support people back into work.
• £26,556 from Sport England for local groups to support people back into physical activity after the COVID lockdowns.
  
  

Applications since the project started in 2020 now total over £1.2 million with significant applications still outstanding.

Cllr Jo Barker Portfolio Holder for Homes, Health and Wellbeing said: "It is great to see how this project has maximised the funding provided by the District Council to enable even more residents to benefit from the support of local voluntary and community groups.

"Charitable groups are vital within the local community, providing activities to support the physical and mental health of people and creating lasting local connections. I am pleased that this funding will enable additional support for local communities at a time when people are struggling with cost-of-living challenges."

The project has supported over 126 voluntary and community groups across the District with challenges outside funding, such as the establishment of a youth charity in Studley; the development of the Stour Health and Wellbeing Partnership; the provision of new equipment for Change Grow Live in the Fred Winter Centre; creation of a new charity to support the Street community in Stratford-upon-Avon; and support for new communities in Meon Vale and Lighthorne Heath.

Bob Armstrong Chair of the Stour Health and Wellbeing Partnership said: "The Stratford-on-Avon District Council funded Development Officer has played an invaluable role in supporting, advising and guiding myself and the SHWP team over the last two years."

The Stratford-on-Avon District Social Inclusion Partnership brings together voluntary and statutory sectors across the District to tackle social exclusion including initiatives to address social isolation, loneliness, health and wellbeing, unemployment, older people and supporting local communities.