Funds windfall for community groups

NINE voluntary and community organisations are to receive a substantial cash boost to ensure they continue to thrive in the difficult economic climate.

Oldham Council has distributed a share of the £150,000 Local Transition Grant Fund to the groups, in the hope they will use the money to put into practice innovative business ideas while also promoting co-operative ways of working.

Among the organisations receiving the grants are:

::Fatima Women’s Association, a group which aims to empower disadvantaged women and children in the borough (£14,862).

::Oldham Cancer Support Centre (£15,000).

::Oldham Race Equality Partnership (£12,259).

::Peshkar Productions, a multi-platform arts organisation for 11-25-year-olds (£15,000).

::Adventure Based Learning (£12,000).

::Key To The Door (£15,000).

::OAK Community Development (£14,100).

::Oldham Play Action Group (£15,000).

::Werneth Freehold Community Development Project (£15,000).

::£21,779, left over from the fund after the allocations, will be used to support a range of other community groups.

The grants will be used to support transition plans submitted by each of the groups that outline how their projects will become stronger, more effective and more efficient.

Registered charities, voluntary and community organisations and social enterprise groups that have a turnover of between £10,000-£500,000 can apply to the fund if they have been identified as vulnerable to potential external or public-sector funding reductions.

Councillor Jean Stretton, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “First of all I would like to congratulate the nine organisations that submitted successful bids that met our criteria for funding.

“Over the last few years we have seen public-sector grants reduce but as part of our commitment to communities we have pledged to support voluntary and community groups across the Borough.

“The funding will help these organisations to adapt so they become more resilient and are able to provide high-quality services to local communities in Oldham.”