New funding announced for voluntary and community groups

Local groups from the voluntary, not for profit and charitable sector are now able to apply for grant funding.

The Rochdale Safer Communities Partnership is accepting applications to the Voluntary and Community Grant Scheme which provides funding to applicants whose work contributes towards the partnership’s priorities.

Applications need to demonstrate that they will support communities to be:

• Free from the harm of domestic abuse and violence
• Free from the harm of organised crime and exploitation
• Safe from crime and antisocial behaviour
• Able to live, work, learn and socialise in harmony in their communities

Councillor Susan Smith, the council’s cabinet member for communities and cooperation, said: “We are really pleased to be able to offer this opportunity to our community again. This past year has shown us that it’s crucial that we work even more closely with our communities and partners to help everyone across the borough of Rochdale to feel safe. 

“We want applications to reflect the new ways of working to ensure proposals respond to the new challenges and opportunities available in supporting people. Life looks very different, compared to a couple of years ago and we need to help our communities adjust to this positively.”

Hamer Boxing Club was one of the successful applicants in 2020. Its Sting Like a Bee project provides up to two new targeted sessions per week for young people. As part of these sessions, peer mentors, who have turned their life around, work alongside the coaches to advise and talk to young people about life choices and the dangers of going down the wrong track.

Rochdale Women’s Welfare Association also received funding in 2020. The project delivers a program of engagement, response and recovery, whilst assessing and evaluating a specialist model of support that addresses the specific needs of black and other minorities women and young women from an informed black feminist perspective. The project recognises and responds to the safety needs of victims who are experiencing intersecting forms of trauma and abuse.

In 2020 Future Directions CIC also received funds to launch and operate a Safe Places scheme throughout Rochdale.
 

Read more: Rochdale Safe Place Scheme enables vulnerable people to find a safe place anywhere in the boroughPublished: 13 February 2021

The grants have been devolved to the council for the 2021/2 financial year by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to encourage voluntary, not for profit and charitable groups to develop and deliver projects that support local priorities.

Applications will be considered by a panel and decisions will be made on the proposed projects against the criteria set, and must be submitted by a registered charity, or a constituted voluntary, community sector or not for profit organisation.

To apply and for more information visit www.rochdale.gov.uk/communitygrants. If you have any questions, email community.safety@rochdale.gov.uk.

Applications are now open and will close on Sunday 20 June 2021.