Dozens of local projects have already run successful crowdfunding campaigns through our Growing Great Places programme. Together they have raised over £380,000 in pledges, helping to get some great ideas off the ground in local places. Take part in a free online workshop to find out how to join them.
Got a great idea for making your local place even better? Want to connect with others who can help make it happen and raise funds to get going? Growing Great Places, run by Kirklees Council in partnership with Spacehive, can help you to get that great idea off the ground.
Online workshop, 1st December 2022
We’re running a free online workshop where you can get advice and support. We’ll be on hand to answer your questions and to share advice about running a successful crowdfunding campaign. Our online sessions include different breakout rooms where you can get the support that’s right for you. So whether you’re almost ready to get started with your project, or you’re just thinking about some ideas, we can help.
Over 30 local projects have already run successful crowdfunding campaigns through the Growing Great Places programme, raising a huge £217,657 in pledges. Take part in a free online workshop to find out how to join them.
Got a great idea for making your local place even better? Want to connect with others who can help make it happen and raise funds to get going? The Growing Great Places programme, run by Kirklees Council in partnership with Spacehive, can help you to get that great idea off the ground.
Online workshops – February and March 2022
We’re running free workshops where you can get advice and support. We’ll be on hand to answer your questions and to share advice about running a successful crowdfunding campaign. Our online sessions include different breakout rooms where you can get the support that’s right for you. So whether you’re almost ready to get started with your project, or just working on some ideas, we can help.
The deadline to have your project ready to crowdfund this Spring is 20th April 2022. Come along to one of our workshops to get all the support you need to get your project ready in time.
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.”
Got a great idea to help people recover, reconnect and thrive? The Growing Great Places community crowdfunding programme can help you to get your idea off the ground. Successful projects could also receive a pledge of up to £5,000 from Kirklees Council.
Got an idea that will help people’s health and wellbeing in your local place? Want to reconnect people to grow friendships and tackle loneliness? Setting up new activities to support young people? If you’ve got a great idea for helping your community build back better, Growing Great Places can help you generate support from residents, businesses and Kirklees Council to make it happen.
Online workshops – June and July 2021
Spacehive and Kirklees Council are running free workshops where you can get advice and support. We’ll be on hand to answer your questions and to share advice about running a successful crowdfunding campaign. Our online sessions include different breakout rooms where you can get the support that’s right for you. So whether you’re almost ready to get started with your project, or just working on some ideas, we can help.
The deadline to have your project ready to crowdfund is 22nd September 2021. Come along to one of our workshops to get all the support you need to get your project ready in time.
National Volunteers’ Week from 1st to 7th June is an annual event to recognise the contribution that millions of people make across the UK through volunteering. It’s an opportunity for us to recognise and say ‘thank you’ to volunteers in Kirklees.
This year the TSL Kirklees Volunteering team want to help groups in Kirklees say thank you to all their volunteers, particularly those who’ve done such incredible work over the last year, supporting people through the pandemic, either in person or from home.
Apply to our ‘Thank You’ Fund
If you are a volunteer-run project or group in Kirklees, then you can apply for a small fund to help you say ‘thank you’ to your volunteers. You will also receive a pack of free Volunteers’ Week thank you cards. A maximum grant of £100 is available for each organisation, but we will be able to fund more groups if people only apply for what they need.
It’s up to you how you spend the money, as long as it’s on an event or item to say thank you to your volunteers. For example, wellbeing goody bags, book vouchers, an afternoon tea delivery or tickets for an online event (please make sure any of your events are Covid-safe).
In return, we ask that you send us a photo and a quote from your volunteer group or an individual volunteer for us to share as part of our online Volunteers’ Week celebrations.
The deadline for applications is Monday 24th May 2021
We aim to let you know within three working days if your application is successful. We will then ask you to invoice for the amount and payment will be made by bank transfer (we can provide a template for an invoice if necessary).
If you have any questions, please contact: Becky Bracey, Volunteer Development Manager
The next online People Helping People local network event is on Wednesday 17th March 2021 from 10.30am to 12 noon. It’s run by Third Sector Leaders Kirklees, to help small community organisations in local places across Kirklees to get together, meet each other, share what you are doing and learn what others are doing. It is another chance to share best practice and discuss how we might be able to support each other.
Find out about funding & opportunities for working with children & young people
At this People Helping People meeting, you’ll hear from the Kirklees Council Early Years Team and a new local charity, Kirklees Youth Alliance, You can find out about the latest funding and opportunities for working with children and young people in Kirklees, including putting on holiday activities and accessing other funding, like Children in Need.
There will also be an update on the latest funding opportunities and about other support and training that’s available, including:
IT support from Kirklees Council
training on scams and how to spot and safeguard victims (from West Yorkshire Trading Standards), plus opportunities to put on a range of consumer and safety workshops for your groups
Co-op Local Community Funding
Grants for walking and cycling
How to take part
This meeting will take place online and you will receive a link that you click to join the meeting nearer the time. You do not need any special software, or to download anything or set up an account. You should just be able to click and join.
The Growing Great Places community crowdfunding programme is back this Spring. Got a great idea to help your community recover, reconnect and thrive? Growing Great Places can help you to get your idea off the ground. Successful projects could also receive a pledge of up to £5,000 from Kirklees Council.
Springtime is about green shoots and sowing seeds, where new life grows and recovers after the cold winter months. In similar way we know that people in our local places are coming up with great new ideas to help their community recover and thrive.
Kirklees Council are now launching the Growing Great Places spring funding round to support groups anywhere in Kirklees who are aiming to start a project this summer.
Got an idea that will help people’s health and wellbeing in your local place? Want to reconnect people to grow friendships and tackle loneliness? Setting up new activities to support young people? If you’ve got a great idea for helping your community build back better, Growing Great Places can help you generate support from residents, businesses and Kirklees Council to make it happen.
Drop-in sessions – March 2021
Spacehive and Kirklees Council are running free drop-in sessions where you can get advice and support. We’ll be on hand to answer your questions and to share advice about running a successful crowdfunding campaign. Our online sessions include different breakout rooms where you can get the support that’s right for you. So whether you’re almost ready to get started with your project, or just working on some ideas, we can help.
The deadline to have your project ready to crowdfund is 21st April 2021. Come along to one of our drop-in sessions in March to get all the support you need to get your project ready in time.
The next online People Helping People local network event is on Wednesday 27th January 2021 from 10.30am to 12 noon. It’s run by Third Sector Leaders Kirklees, to help small community organisations in local places across Kirklees to get together, meet each other, share what you are doing and learn what others are doing. It is another chance to share best practice and discuss how we might be able to support each other.
What funding & investment do you need to thrive in 2021?
Join other community organisations to discuss your views on what funding and investment is needed to support local groups in places across Kirklees. Hear from other local organisations, share experiences, find out what funding is available now and get help to apply.
How to take part
This meeting will take place online and you will receive a link that you click to join the meeting nearer the time. You do not need any special software, or to download anything or set up an account. You should just be able to click and join.
Do you run a community centre or other community facility? Business support grants are available for voluntary and community organisations in Kirklees who generate a significant part of their income through activity that has been legally forced to close (or has been significantly impacted) due to Covid-19 restrictions.
You could apply for financial support if:
You have been required to close your community venue due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Your organisation has remained open but has been severely impacted by Covid-19 restrictions.
You have lost income due to the restrictions, such as losing out on hall hire fees or not being able to operate a café or other community facility.
What kind of organisation can apply?
Support is available for:
community centres
community buildings
community facilities
faith-based venues
There is more than one type of support grant available depending on your circumstances. Please read the eligibility criteria carefully before applying. You could be eligible for support whether or not you usually pay business rates. The amount of funding will depend on your circumstances.
What about other organisations?
This is business funding, which is also available for community organisations who have a commercial aspect to their work. Not every type of community activity can be supported (for example, the grant cannot be used to replace income from donations). If you’ve lost vital income due to Covid-19, please check to see if you can apply.
Kirklees Council are continuing to work closely with Third Sector Leaders Kirklees on other ways to support voluntary and community organisations over the coming months. If you’re not eligible for a business support grant, there may be other ways that we can help.
Find out more and ask for advice
If you’d like advice about whether your voluntary or community organisation is eligible for a business support grant, please contact:
Third Sector Leaders Kirklees offer free advice and support for voluntary and community organisations and can connect you to other people and organisations: Third Sector Leaders Kirklees
In 2020, vital community groups and organisations in our local places have found it especially difficult to generate income to support their work. Key events over the Christmas period usually provide essential funding for many smaller organisations in particular. Without the local Christmas lights switch on events, lunches, Christmas fairs, carol concerts and other seasonal activities, some groups are finding that this support has all but disappeared.
Kirklees Council have provided an extra £50,000 to help community organisations meet some of these challenges. The extra funding has been added to councillors’ Ward Project Budgets. This is funding that Kirklees Councillors distribute to organisations and projects in their local area,
Who can apply?
Voluntary and community organisations who usually arrange festive events and activities over the Christmas and New Year period to generate income for their organisation.
Constituted groups can apply for up to £1,000.
What can groups apply for?
Essential costs of keeping current activities going.
Running costs due to loss of income – for example, insurance, utility costs, maintenance or transport costs.
Contributions towards volunteer expenses or staff salaries.
New or improved IT systems or software.
How and when can groups apply?
You will need to complete a short electronic application form to apply for funding.
