Devon Community Foundation offer grants to local groups

Local charity Devon Community Foundation are appealing to small charities, community and voluntary groups to apply for grants that are available to help relieve deprivation across the whole of Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.

Grants are available from a number of funds including the Devonian Fund which aims to help people overcome or relieve mobility problems and the Mumme Ackford Fund which supports local groups across the whole of Devon who are actively working to bring about positive social change for the most disadvantaged people in the community.

Grants will be distributed in October but applications need to be received for consideration by 31st August 2012.

Over the last eight years Devon Community Foundation has distributed nearly £8,000,000 to over 2700 projects across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.

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Previous grant applications have included Torbay Food Bank who received a £5,000 grant from Devon Community Foundation to help set up their invaluable service.

The Food Bank aims to help individuals within the community access crisis food and help alleviate isolation with a signposting service and monthly community events.

Many local groups have pledged their support to the Food Bank including Supermarkets.

Sarah Ready, Project Co-ordinator for the Torbay Food Bank said, “Torbay is the fourth worst area in the country for poverty. It has a large ageing population who are reliant on pension credit and state pension. There is mental health that goes under the radar and there are many individuals who are not accessing secondary services but have mental health difficulties. These individuals struggle to claim the correct benefits and are living in poverty. I am seeing a large number of elderly who are going days without food, mainly due to the reduction of direct payments and the higher costs of gas and electricity. I am also seeing couples who are going without food themselves to feed their children rather than themselves. The decrease in benefit entitlement will also have an effect on income and savings will be made by individuals and families but cutting down on food or not eating.”

The Sirona Therapeutic Horsemanship CIC received £1,335 from Laurie Conner Fund to help vulnerable young people build confidence and self-esteem through a healing experience. The project will integrate a number of different approaches for those who need new ways of expressing themselves, including physical and spiritual approaches by working with horses in the outdoors.

The young people and adults Sirona hopes to help have a variety of psychosocial disadvantages and exclusion which can range from learning difficulties and mental health issues to emotional and behavioural problems. All of these can impact on school achievement, self-confidence and self-esteem and lead to difficulties in life chances, employment and training. Sirona will work with young people with special educational needs, young offenders, those not in education, employment or training (NEETS), those needing to improve physical fitness and increase life and social skills. The money received will be used to get specialist equipment and help to set up this brand new Community Interest Company.

Martha Wilkinson, Chief Executive of Devon Community Foundation said, “This is a fantastic opportunity for small local charities, community and voluntary groups to gain extra funding to continue the excellent work they do in our communities. It is through the generous donations we receive that we are able to offer this and it is great to hear the fantastic success stories that come out of our grant giving!”

If you would like any further information about the grants available and how to apply please contact Devon Community Foundation on 01884 235887, email grants@devoncf.com or visit the website at devoncf.com/apply-for-a-grant/

Please note grant applications can only be accepted online.