This week, we conclude our month-long Funding Focus campaign with the fabulous case study from Royton-based Heyside Parish Hall, and the support they received from Action Together and our Oldham Community Development Worker, Uzma.
Heyside Parish Hall is a focal point for the local community, being used each day and most evenings, for both church and community organisations to meet and carry out their respective activities. The facility is well used, proving the point that it is a needed facility in the community.
As a member of Action Together, Matt Robinson - Secretary, responded to our shout out for availability of a meeting room to host one of our Community Explorers meetings. Ever since then, Uzma and Matt have had a great working relationship and regularly keep in touch.
In late 2023, Matt requested information of funders he could apply to for grants to modernise the toilets, rewire the property, and install solar panels. Uzma responded with advice on suitable funders they could consider for applications, and Matt also receives our fortnightly Action Together Funding e-Bulletin.
In March 2024 and onwards, Matt had begun to submit a number of funding applications and got in touch with us again to request some feedback, and a letter of support so they could apply for a grant from the SUEZ Community Fund to rewire the building.
Uzma happily obliged and supported Matt with some one-to-one advice, along with group discussions at our Community Explorer meetings about The National Lottery Awards for All, one of the biggest funders in the UK for the VCFSE sector.
We're thrilled to report that, due to several successful funding applications, 2024/2025 has been a great year for Heyside Parish Hall!
With the time, dedication and hard work, Matt has been able to raise an amazing £98,000 through:
£20,000 from The National Lottery Awards for All for a complete refurbishment of the Parish toilets
£38,000 from UK Government/Groundwork VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme to carry out energy efficiency upgrades, including solar panels
£30,000 from the SUEZ Communities Fund to carry out rewiring throughout the building
Matt, said
“Thanks again for the support of Action Together, especially Uzma for her guidance with these grant applications. The funding has enabled us to complete some long overdue upgrades to the building, ensuring it can continue providing a vital community space in Heyside."
