Helping community buildings to recover

Image shows people and buildings, impression of building a community

Kirklees Council have provided almost £500k through the Community Buildings Recovery Grants scheme this summer, to support vital community buildings in local places across Kirklees.

Supporting local organisations

Community organisations are vital for our local economy and for people’s wellbeing – creating jobs, delivering services, connecting people in our neighbourhoods and providing activities that people and communities really value. We know this continues to be a difficult time for local organisations who were unable to open community buildings as usual for long periods of time.

The Community Buildings Recovery Grants were available for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations who own or rent buildings in local places across Kirklees. They had either been legally required to close or had been significantly impacted by lockdowns and local restrictions.

What local organisations say about receiving a recovery grant

43 different local organisations have received £470,000 in total from the Community Buildings Recovery Grants fund. Here’s what a few of the organisations have told us about the difference this funding is making:

“We at Outlane Methodist church are looking forward to resuming as many of our former activities in the community as we can and making plans for going ahead with new ideas. We do not expect it to be easy but the boost given to our finances by the generous grant we have received has made such a positive difference to our situation.”

Mary Mercer, Outlane Methodist Church

“The pandemic had a devastating effect on our fundraising efforts and our income. This grant will help plug the gap in our finances so that we can resume the full services that we provide to our members and volunteers as soon as we can. As we are a base for other community groups and rent rooms to other organisations, the funding will also be of benefit to the wider community.“

Deborah Hall, Howlands (Dewsbury and District League of Friendship)

“Receiving funding from the Community Buildings Recovery grant is so helpful. After a very difficult 16 months for the charity, this funding will hasten our ability to recover, allowing us to sustain our work and services for local people in need of support. Kirklees Council have been supportive throughout the pandemic and we’re grateful to them for the information sharing, advice, ongoing support and now this funding to aid our recovery.”

John McKernaghan,The Brunswick Centre

“The pandemic had cut our income to zero, and the theatre was on the verge of closing for good. The community buildings recovery grant has changed this by giving us a much needed cash boost. Now the Show will go on!”

Bob Newton, Southgate Theatre, Honley

“OASIS values and appreciates this contribution towards the survival and reshaping of our services within our Resource Centre.”

Denzil Nurse, OASIS Care Support Services

“As we’re reliant on community groups that hire our community centre, we have had to put off work that would have greatly impacted the people who we serve through the community centre positively. The grant awarded to us by Kirklees Council will allow us to develop the community centre further, with the additional benefits that a modern, safe, accessible community centre will bring to the communities around Cleckheaton Methodist Church.’

Revd. Ray Borrett, Minister for Cleckheaton Methodist Church

 

Thank you from Kirklees Council

Cllr Cathy Scott, Deputy Leader of Kirklees Council & Cabinet Member for Housing and Democracy, would like to thank local organisations for supporting people’s wellbeing:

“Community organisations are incredibly important for people’s wellbeing. We wanted to make sure that community buildings can continue to be safe places for people to get together and enjoy activities as part of our recovery from Covid-19. The Community Buildings Recovery Grants have clearly mattered to the local organisations who are so fundamental for keeping people connected and safe. We’ll continue to work proudly alongside these dedicated and inspiring groups in our local places.”

 

Looking for advice or support?

Community organisations looking for support and advice can contact the council’s team via thirdsector@kirklees.gov.uk or visit the Third Sector Leaders Kirklees website at www.tslkirklees.org.uk

 

Supporting Communities fund

Supporting people in crisis

TSL Kirklees are accepting applications from local groups

Kirklees Council have provided Third Sector Leaders Kirklees with a grant of £60,000, which is available for local groups who are supporting people in crisis or financial hardship.

This is funding from the Local Welfare Provision budget. It’s in addition to the £32,000 previously provided for emergency food supplies at the weekends during lockdown and helping local groups to continue to support people.

What the fund can be used for

The Supporting Communities fund can be used by community groups in Kirklees for:

  • Supporting people in financial hardship
  • Providing food and essential supplies
  • Set up costs and membership of food share schemes (for example, Fare Share)
  • Building financial resilience

How to apply

The application process is very simple and grants can be approved and given very quickly.

If you would like to find out more, chat through your ideas and apply please contact Bridget Hughes, Supporting Communities Lead:

Email: bridget@tslkirklees.org.uk 

Tel. 07540 434573

Supporting people in crisis – TSL Kirklees

 


Support for individuals facing financial hardship

talk message on wall saying we will get through this together

As you are supporting friends, neighbours and communities throughout the community response to Covid-19 we know that many of you will come across people and families in need of financial support.

There are many support services and organisations across Kirklees who can respond to this need, such as the Local Welfare Provision team, local hardship funds or Third Sector Leaders Kirklees.

If you are supporting someone (or know someone) who is in financial difficulty as a result of Covid-19, we recommend that you inform your local Anchor Organisation about this and ask for help.

Your Anchor Organisation should be aware of local hardship funds and how to access them. If a specific circumstance is particularly difficult, they will also be well placed to ask for help or find support where necessary.

You could also consider making a referral through the Covid-19 Community Response helpline. This should help to identify any additional support needs.

There is also financial support available through Third Sector Leaders Kirklees. You can find out more about this by emailing bridget.hughes@tslkirklees.org.uk or speak to your Anchor Organisation.

Do Something Now – Covid-19 Response fund

This fund is now closed

Do Something Now – Covid-19 Response is a community investment opportunity to help communities respond to the challenges facing Kirklees as a result of Covid-19. Kirklees Council want to support local people, community groups, Mutual Aid Groups and community  organisations to provide essential support and services to local people who have been affected.

Do Something Now


How much can you apply for?

  • Individuals can apply for up to £200
  • Unconstituted groups can apply for up to £1,000
  • Constituted groups, charities and not for profit organisations can apply for up to £50,000

Funding awards will be for a maximum of 3 months support, with an option to extend if necessary.


What can be funded?

We are prioritising ideas and projects that:

  • help individuals, children and families get access to food and essential supplies such as medicines
  • provide support around mental health, emotional and social wellbeing

Keeping critical services going, and other projects and ideas, may also be considered for funding.


Help towards running costs for organisations

We will consider funding running costs for groups and organisations who are responding to Covid-19, which might include:

  • Recruiting and training volunteers who are helping with the Covid-19 response.
  • Telephone calls.
  • Building costs such as rent, gas and electricity for new sites used as part of the response.

Costs towards capital items may also be considered.


How to apply

This fund is now closed

Before you apply, it’s a good idea to:

  • Discuss your idea with a member of the Community Plus team or Third Sector Leaders.
  • Consider whether there is an urgent need for this project, to respond to the Covid-19 situation.
  • Check whether something similar is being delivered elsewhere in Kirklees.
  • Connect with other local partners that you can work with to help make the project a success.

Do Something Now application form and info (Doc)

Please send your completed application to community.plus@kirklees.gov.uk

The funding panel (Kirklees Council managers and a voluntary sector partner) will meet weekly.