Submitted by colette.bradley... on
Seed Fund offers easy access grants of up to £500
This April, our Funding Campaign aims to bring you stories and information about the multiple support offers we have available – whether that’s a focus on a specific grant, details of the advice and support we provide or access to our funding focused training.
Today we want to share with you the details of our recently launched Seed Fund in Rochdale. We’ve already received, and funded, several successful applications but are excited to spread the word so that more amazing projects can be supported across Rochdale, so if you’re a small community group looking for funding to get your community project off the ground this could be perfect for you!
Part of the Rochdale Communities Fund, our 'Seed Fund' offers easy access grants of up to £500 to Rochdale based micro-organisations and community groups who are unconstituted to support individuals, families, and communities in the Rochdale Borough.
Informal groups, of at least three people, actively engaging with an Action Together Community Development Worker, working towards constitution, and who have not already received a Seed Fund will be able to apply for this funding.
Your project must fall within one or more of the following priorities:
Challenging poverty and driving equality
- Supporting people and communities to get back on their feet and take more control over their lives – i.e. practical support, advice or peer support
- Reducing inequalities and helping more people reach their potential
- Strengthening community voice and action on the things that matter most to them
Promoting health and wellbeing
- Enabling people and communities to support their social, mental and physical wellbeing
- Challenging health inequalities through working with marginalised groups whose needs are not being met by existing services
- Building strong relationships in and across communities
We are thrilled to report there are already several Rochdale based groups who have been successful in accessing this grant, and are beginning to make great progress with their projects.
One example is the wonderful project over at Boro Bees in Littleborough. Earlier this month our Community Development Worker Julie met with co-founder, Mark Harris, to discuss the support we can offer and the grant available for new groups through our Seed Fund Programme.
We will be able to provide resources, guidance, and tools that will help Boro Bees thrive and make a positive impact in the community. It's truly inspiring to see the passion and dedication of everyone involved in this project. Boro Bees are not just creating a space for bees to thrive, but they are also fostering a stronger, more sustainable community.
The Seed Fund is a fantastically easy to access grant, without the need for lengthy, complicated application forms. To apply you’ll need to meet with one of our Community Development Workers to discuss your idea and answer some basic questions about your project. The Community Development Worker will then complete an application on your behalf, and submit the application for a grant decision.
You can apply if:
- you are a social action group or micro group locally rooted or actively working in the borough of Rochdale; and
- you are a member of Action Together CIO
- you have not already received a grant through the Seed Fund
- you are working towards becoming a formally constituted group and receiving support from a Community Development Worker
If your group is based in Rochdale or Pennines, please contact Julie Durrant: julie.durrant@actiontogether.org.uk
If your group is based in Heywood or Middleton, please contact Fi Oakes: Fi.Oakes@actiontogether.org.uk
For more general information, please either call 0161 339 2345 and ask for Hayley Tomlinson or please email: hayley.tomlinson@actiontogether.org.uk