Grants up to £1k up for grabs to help communities

COMMUNITY organisations and residents can apply for up to £1,000 to help benefit the communities of Weetslade, Longbenton, and Camperdown in North Tyneside.

North Tyneside Council has urged residents and organisations in the north-west of the borough there is time to apply for a small grant fund of up to £1,000 to enhance their communities.

The cash comes from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, part of the government’s Levelling Up agenda, which consists of £2.6bn for local investments, with the North of Tyne Combined Authority as the lead authority.

Examples of eligible projects include: Setting up informal social groups; organising community events; setting up activities for the benefit of the neighbourhood; running projects to share local history or culture; and creating a community space or garden.

The funds are open to registered charities, residents, residents groups, constituted groups, and social enterprises with a charitable function.

Longbenton councillor Eddie Darke said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for so many great causes across Camperdown, Longbenton, and Weetslade.

“I hope residents and community organisations take up this funding to help bring communities together and celebrate their local areas.”

The small grants fund is open until December and the money must be spent by March 2025.

The application guidelines state the funding is not available for youth provision, holiday activities for children and young people in receipt of free school meals, and emergency food and fuel parcels.

In addition, organisations with more than £2m in their latest annual accounts will also not be permitted to apply.