Weymouth and Portland Borough Council is pleased to announce that all 17 community and voluntary sector groups and organisations, which applied to the second round of council funding last year, have been successful in gaining a grant.
Grant decisions were made by a cross-political party panel that comprised the council’s Social Inclusion Brief Holder Cllr Jon Orrell, and Group Leaders of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council – Cllr Jeff Cant, Cllr Colin Huckle and Cllr Gill Taylor.
Priority was given to support for young people, and groups that operate in the areas of most need – Chapelhay and Rodwell, Littlemoor, Melcombe Regis, Underhill and Westham.
The £50,000 fund was oversubscribed and this is a testament to the high level of community and voluntary sector activity in the Borough. This meant that not all groups received the full amount applied for but the council was able to fund at least one or more elements of the projects submitted.
Supported projects include:
• Extension to facilities and supported entry at a local skatepark
• Funding for gloves and a boxing ring for young people
• Young people supporting access to Citizens Advice services
• Music making to support confidence making and self-esteem.
• A series of 12 cooking and budgeting workshops in the Park District
• A community café providing support to veterans and the wider community
• Mental health projects in Chapelhay & Rodwell, Melcombe Regis and Portland
Grants were awarded to the following groups:
• As One Theatre Group
• Dorset Mind
• Friendly Food Club
• Portland Museum
• Portland Rocks
• Relate Dorset & South Wiltshire
• Royal Manor Theatre Company
• Steps Youth Club
• The Bus Shelter, Dorset
• The Grey Ranks Boxing Club
• The Samaritans
• The Veterans Hub
• Weymouth Basketball Club
• Weymouth North Cub Scouts
• Weymouth Skate Park Association
• Weymouth & Portland Citizens Advice
• Xchange Project, Weymouth Family Church
Cllr Jon Orrell, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council Briefholder for Social Inclusion, said; “The council recognises the important role of local groups through their work, practical support and activities, and is keen to support projects that provide real benefits for residents of the Borough. The Grants Panel has supported a wide range of projects and activities that truly benefit communities across the Borough.”
Cllr Colin Huckle, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council Briefholder for Transport and Infrastructure, said; “The multi-party grants panel was particularly delighted to provide support to projects for young people in the Borough, namely The Steps Youth Club, The Front Skate Park, the Xchange Youth Club in Melcombe Regis and Dorset Mind’s project for LGBT young people on Portland.”
Cllr Gill Taylor, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council Briefholder for Housing, said; “The council recognises the invaluable role of community and voluntary groups in Weymouth and Portland and is proud to support their work with the most vulnerable in our communities. I would like to especially mention the work of The Bus Shelter in supporting homeless people throughout the year and particularly at this time when temperatures are very low at night and the invaluable work undertaken by The Veterans Hub in supporting veterans and their families.”
For further information contact: Jane Nicklen, Community Planning & Development Manager at [email protected] or on (01305) 252358
