Wealden’s Community Grants Programme 2020/21 and 2021/22 was adapted to help with the Covid19 crisis.
- Covid Crisis grants were offered to the organisations assisting the Community Hub with food, medication and welfare services throughout the District
- Recovery grants were offered to voluntary and community groups so that they could continue to provide services, and to help with lost income and future resilience
- The Small, Capital and Service Level Agreement funding was allocated in previous years
Wealden’s Community Grants 2022/23 were awarded by the Economic Development and Wellbeing team. A total of 13 service level agreements and 19 small grants were awarded for this financial year.
Service Level Agreements
13 local organisations were awarded service level agreements, which run over the course of 2022-2025.
Infrastructure support across the third sector, including strengthening groups and networks, volunteering, Town and Parish Councils, training and governance.
Grant awarded: £18,500 (per annum)
Young people’s ‘shop’ in Crowborough giving advice, information, emotional support and informal counselling to 11 – 25 year olds in difficult circumstances.
Grant awarded: £22,000 for 2022/23 only. £14,000 for 2023/24 & 2024/25
Managing and maintaining the forest including education and training, visitor management, volunteering, emergency response, crime and anti-social behaviour.
Grant Awarded: £10,000 (per annum)
Community transport provider in the south of the District with 60 volunteers providing 20 services on 7 minibuses.
Grant awarded: £5,000 (per annum)
Sign language and lip reading courses, hearing aid help, information and other support for hard of hearing and deaf residents.
Grant awarded: £4,000 (per annum)
Telephone support for Wealden clients giving practical support and advice to those who are blind or have sight loss.
Grant awarded: £4,300
Business support and advice. Funding to deliver workshops as well as mentoring and training for businesses and start-ups.
Grant awarded: £8,000
Help with home based violence which has increased since the start of the pandemic. Home Start helps with partner violence as well as child to parent violence. The services focus on safety, well-being and positive change to improve the lives of clients and their families.
Grant awarded: £6,000 (per annum)
Conflict resolution help for residents which helps situations escalating. Takes referrals from the Council’s Housing and Environmental Health departments.
Grant awarded: £7,000 (per annum)
Community transport provider in the north of the District providing door to door help for vulnerable residents and community groups.
Grant awarded: £5,000 (per annum)
Employment support, training and coaching for long term unemployed and vulnerable people in Hailsham. Funding to expand advisor service into Crowborough.
Grant awarded: £10,000 (per annum)
Essential support for vulnerable and low income clients. Offering free, confidential, independent and impartial advice. The service helps reduce homelessness, as well as providing support for debt, universal credit, energy and digital help.
Grant awarded: £165,000 (per annum)
Rural employability and personal development programme which is free to vulnerable young people aged 16-24, who are not in education, employment or training and live in the Wealden area. Recently had successful joint project with the Council to provide a youth hub, which has attracted £68k of DWP funding.
Grant awarded: £10,000 for 2022/23 only (extra £3k funding to support Youth Hub). £7,000 for 2023/24 & 2024/25.
Small Grants
19 local organisations were awarded small grants between 2022-2023:
Venue hire, props and associated costs for an immersive theatrical production- the Hellingly Enchanted Forest Experience, aimed at local families over 2 days.
Grant Awarded: £500
Contribution towards the replacement of a Lathe/ tools used for public demonstrations. Introduce and encourage new members to woodturning skills and techniques to future generations.
Grant Awarded: £500
To re-level and reseed the pitch to make it safe to play on for existing members and to attract new junior members.
Grant Awarded: £3,000
Staffing costs and equipment for this community project to revitalise and replant the community kitchen garden area at Hailsham East Children’s Centre.
Grant Awarded: £870
Tools and equipment for a new group setting up to introduce community orchards within open access sites.
Grant Awarded: £500
Staffing, facilities and equipment cost to deliver a 40 week youth club at Wannock memorial grounds with activities especially for those experiencing barriers to sport.
Grant awarded: £1,500
Funding towards coaching qualifications to be able to set up two new under 13’s teams.
Grant awarded: £2,000
Speakers, venue hire, transport, entertainment and gentle exercise sessions for this 55+ age group and for those who are younger who have/have had physical and/or mental problems.
Grant awarded: £1,000
Information/ awareness raising through events/ exhibitions and improved communications through branding and a website for this new sustainability group.
Grant awarded: £500
Towards venue hire and speakers for the society’s meetings and shows.
Grant awarded: £500
Training for pastors to deliver specific support to young people. A nationally recognised community service, which has proven to help deal with mental health, behavioural and personal challenges affecting young people.
Grant awarded: £500
Repair café for faulty items. Run by volunteers and held at Horam village hall once a month.
Grant awarded: £700
Tools and equipment to help with the day to day maintenance of this bowls club.
Grant awarded: £500
Contribution to the costs of a new musical production which will involve up to 50 local residents.
Grant awarded: £500
Community café, running regular healthy cooking and nutrition sessions and courses at Hailsham East Community Centre. Food inspired activities in a shared community space to connect people, build skills and confidence, and help tackle food poverty and food waste.
Grant awarded: £670
Towards staffing, venue hire and support to Uckfield Youth Trust to establish a regular youth club in Uckfield.
Grant awarded: £2,960
Pitch improvements and equipment to help bring the pitch up to standard for adult/ junior games.
Grant awarded: £2,000
Two ‘welcome benches’ to provide a meeting point for all ages to meet and chat, encouraging companionship within the village.
Grant awarded: £800