Coalfields Regeneration Trust - new funding programmes

 

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust Fund in the West Midlands announces the launch of new funding programmes.....

Newsletter No. 1 May 2008

Welcome to the first newsletter from the West Midlands Coalfields Regeneration Trust team announcing the launch of round 4 of our two grant funding programmes.

Introducing the West Midlands Coalfields Regeneration Trust Regional Office

The regional office team comprises:
Programme Manager – Suzanne Clarke
Support Worker – Noelle Hillman

To contact us:
Tel: 01782 563112
Mobile: 07977512985
Fax: 01782 296541
E-mail: Suzanne.clarke@coalfields-regen.org.uk
E-mail: Noelle.hillman@coalfields-regen.org.uk

Address
Lymedale Business Centre,
Lymedale Business Park,
Hooters Hall Road,
Newcastle-under-Lyme,
Staffordshire,
ST5 9QF.

 

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust (the Trust) is an independent grant-making body. We are a registered charity and limited by guarantee, governed by a board of trustees.

 

Our mission is:

“Working closely with partners, the Trust is a key agency promoting and achieving social and economic regeneration in the coalfields of England, Scotland and Wales”

 

The Grant Programmes

We run two grant programmes:

Bridging the Gap – for requests between £500 - £10,000

Main grants – for requests between £10,000 and £300,000

 

These funding programmes will both run for three years from April 2008 to March 2011.

 

We are also aiming to run two strategic programmes in the West Midlands, called Sports Legacy and Family Employment, for more information on these please contact the regional office.

   

The Main Grants Programme

Themes

We will support projects that fit into one or more of the following funding themes: 

• Access to employment – connecting people to mainstream opportunities rather than job creation.
• Education and skills – providing added value and filling gaps, not statutory mainstream provision.
• Health and wellbeing – preventative measures and healthy lifestyle support.
• Access to opportunities – equality of access and improving connectivity including transport issues.

Within these overall themes there are regional difference. A Regional Framework sets out specific priorities for the West Midlands. The regional office will be pleased to advise you about this.

 

Outputs

Projects are expected to achieve one or more of the following core outputs: 

• Community facilities delivering services created/improved.
• Jobs created /safeguarded
• People assisted into work
• People assisted in skills development
• Adults gaining NVQ2 or above
• Enterprises (social) created
• People and young people participating in healthy lifestyle activities
• Transport/access schemes
• New childcare places (incl. after school provision)
• New volunteers

 

Costs

We can provide up to 100% of total project costs for capital and revenue projects for up to 3 years.

The maximum contribution from the Trust is £300,000.

Match funding is encouraged.

 

Who can apply

Most voluntary and community organisations, including PTAs.

Branches of larger organisations

Statutory organisations, including local authorities, health authorities, health trusts, schools and FE colleges and other organisations that receive public funds.

 

Eligible Areas

Projects should be based in an eligible coalfield community or be able to show clear and immediate benefits for an eligible coalfield community that has a high level of deprivation. Projects need to show that they benefit people from wards within the top 30% most deprived. There are eligible wards within Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Cannock Chase, Lichfield, Staffordshire Moorlands, Tamworth, North Warwickshire and Nuneaton and Bedworth.

Please contact the regional office for advice on eligible areas.

 

When to apply

Applications can be made at any time within the 3 year timescale of the Funding Programme

 

Application Process

It can take up to 23 weeks for your Main Grants application to be processed.

Case Studies

Two Main Grants projects supported by the Trust.

 

New Way Credit Union

Supporting local people to develop their own solutions is a key area of our work. In a number of communities the rise of debt and closure of local banks has lead to local people working together to provide locally owned and managed financial services. After several years of hard work, local people in North Warwickshire registered New Way Credit Union in 2001. The credit union offers low cost loans and savings accounts. The Trust supported the credit union to acquire high street premises and to employ staff. With the continuing support of their volunteers and the local community, the credit union is going from strength to strength and has recently started working with two schools.

 

Weston Spirit

Youth should be a time of opportunities; a time to explore possibilities and make choices that will provide a solid foundation for later life. Unfortunately, many young people in coalfields communities find their opportunities and choices greatly limited, because of where they live. The Trust has supported a number of projects that provide opportunities for children and young people. For example, in Southern Staffordshire we have been working with Weston Spirit. Weston Spirit is a nationally recognised organisation delivering personal training courses for young people. They have an excellent track record of working with young people to help motivate them to engage in construction activities and formal education. The Trust’s support will enable over 100 local young people to benefit through this project.

 

The Bridging the Gap Funding Programme

We will support projects that fit into one or more of the funding themes as outlined under the Main Grants programme. Within these themes we will support project activities that encourage the voluntary and community sector to: 

• Increase community participation
• Support grassroots community organisations
• Provide bespoke training and learning opportunities
• Support initiatives that promote financial inclusion
• Promote volunteering
• Support locally led healthy lifestyle  /improvement

 

Outputs

The outputs to be achieved are the same as for the Main Grants programme.

 

Costs

We can provide up to 100% of total project costs for capital and revenue projects for up to 12 months.

The maximum contribution from the Trust is £10,000.

Match funding is encouraged.

 

Who Can Apply

• Voluntary and community sector organisations.
• Branches of voluntary and community sector organisations.

Eligible Areas

Projects should be based in an eligible coalfield community or be able to show clear and immediate benefits for an eligible coalfield community. Please contact the Regional Office for advice on eligible wards.

 

When to apply

Applications can be made at any time within the 3 year timescale of the Funding Programme

 

Application Process

It can take up to 12 weeks for your BtG application to be processed.

 

Case Studies

Two BtG projects supported by the Trust:

 

Bentilee Volunteers ‘Shed’ Project

A voluntary group, the Bentilee Volunteers, runs a recycling project called ‘Shed’ that offers residents good quality, affordable refurbished furniture and electrical goods. The volunteers van was old and unfit for purpose, so the Trust supported the volunteers to purchase a new van to collect and deliver the goods.

 

Family Focus

In Rugeley ‘Family Focus’ is a project that involves volunteers providing a service to local people aimed at helping to prevent family breakdown where stress-related problems are threatening mental health and child safety.

The Trust supported the costs of running the service.