Newly launched Recession Response Funding Programme

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust has launched a Recession Response Funding Programme. The programme has a very short turn around period for applications, so please contact them ASAP if you would like an application pack.

The Recession Response Programme is a one off opportunity for voluntary and community organisations to access grants of up to £30,000 for a project that tackles and mitigates the problems associated with the impacts of the recession.

The deadline for the submission of applications is 5th February 2010. This gives the opportunity to get the projects to our March committee for a project start date in April.

Projects can run from April 2010 and must be complete by March 2011. A hard copy of the signed application form and supporting information should be posted to Head Office.

Head Office address:

Silkstone House, Pioneer Close, Manvers Way, Rotherham, S63 7JZ.

Please ensure you use the Recession Response Programme application form and read through the Information Booklet. Contact them at the regional office for copies.

Voluntary and Community Sector organisations and groups and branches of voluntary and community sector organisations are eligible to apply.

The maximum grant that can be sought is £30,000.

Revenue and capital support is available. Both Revenue and capital can be sought in the same application.

Projects need to address the CRT themes:

Access to employment
Education and skills
Health and wellbeing
Access to opportunities

A group cannot have a live Main Grant funded project and also apply for this.

A group may have a live Bridging the Gap project and apply for a totally different activity to that currently being funded.

The aim is to target communities most in need ie. wards that are in the top 30% most deprived are eligible for funding. Please see below for details.

Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate how they mitigate ie make less severe the problems that have arisen as a result of the recession and projects that can deliver in the timescale.

The Programme is not looking to support debt projects.

They will be operating a free reserves test.

Management and admin costs are not eligible.

Problems Caused by the Recession and Activities to Mitigate the Impact

Examples of economic and social problems caused by the recession:

Job losses
Debt
Low incomes
Credit difficult to obtain
Increased numbers of NEETs
Domestic violence
Mental health issues
Family breakdown and relationship problems

Examples of activities that could help mitigate the impacts of the recession:

Redundancy advice
Domestic abuse support and advice
Family and relationship support and advice
Free or reduced cost sports and physical activities
Work tasters
Volunteering programmes to raise experience and skill levels
Low cost transport schemes
Recycling / re-use projects to provide cheap furniture, household items, clothing
Support for the homeless
Peer support programmes
Creation of jobs
Pre-employment and employability skills training
New social enterprises

Eligible Wards

Stoke-on-Trent

Burslem South

Bentilee and Townsend

Fenton

Blurton

Burslem North

Berryhill and Hanley East

Stoke and Trent Vale

Weston and Meir North

Longton South

Chell and Packmoor

Abbey Green

Norton and Bradeley

Longton North

Northwood and Birches Head*

Meir Park and Sandon*

East Valley*

Trentham and Hanford*

Cannock

Cannock North

Cannock South

Cannock East

Hednesford North*

Hagley*

Brereton and Ravenhill*

Etching Hill and the Heath*

Lichfield

Chasetown*

Newcastle-under-Lyme

Knutton and Silverdale

Cross Heath

Holditch

Silverdale and Parksite*

Bradwell*

Chesterton*

Wolstanton*

Audley and Bignall End*

Tamworth

Glascote

Belgrave*

Stoneydelph*

Castle*

Amington*

North Warwickshire

Atherstone Central

Atherstone South and Mancetter*

Nuneaton and Bedworth

Camp Hill

Bar Pool*

Kingswood*

Exhall *

Heath*

Wards marked with * are only part eligible ie only the most deprived SOAs within these wards are eligible. Please contact the regional office for details on the eligible SOAs within these wards.

Please contact the regional office team for more information and an application pack.

Programme Manager – Suzanne Clarke

Support Worker – Noelle Hillman

Contact details:

Tel: 01782 563112

Fax: 01782 296541

E-mail: suzanne.clarke@coalfields-regen.org.uk

E-mail: noelle.hillman@coalfields-regen.org.uk

Address:

Lymedale Business Centre

Hooters Hall Road

Lymedale Business Park

Newcastle-under-Lyme

Staffordshire

ST5 9QF

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