New council grants available for New Forest community groups

COMMUNITY groups and charities can now apply for grants from a combined scheme from New Forest District Council and Rural England Prosperity Fund to help their work in the district.

Applications for community grants are open until 31st October.

In the last financial year NFDC supported 19 community groups and charities through revenue and capital grants totalling £225,600. The funding includes £35,000 towards support service Community First Wessex, £18,500 for New Forest Disability Information Services, and £15,000 to Forest Arts Centre.

Grants of £5,000 - £10,000 were given to Totton-based family support charity Youth and Families Matter, youth work at The Handy Trust, St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery in Lymington, Forest Forge Theatre Company, art for recreation and recovery charity ‘hArt’, creative arts centre ‘SPUD’, domestic abuse charity Yellow Door, and homelessness support group The Crossings.

Capital grants were also given to support a range of projects including Paultons Cricket Club and a community store at East Boldre.

Cllr Dan Poole, portfolio holder for community safety and wellbeing, said: “We are looking to award the upcoming grants to organisations who ensure New Forest residents have access to advice and support, as well as arts, recreation and community facilities.”

“We distribute grants as part of our aim to support communities and do so through the people and organisations who are best placed to do it. We’re keen to assist the great work of the many wonderful voluntary and community organisations across the district.”

The application form can be found at newforest.gov.uk/CommunityGrants