Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director (Place) detailing the applications for Annual Community Grants 2023/24.

Report of the Executive Director (Place) detailing the applications for Annual Community Grants 2023/24.

 

Thirteen applications had been received for consideration for Annual Grants for the financial year 2023/24.

 

The applications received total £202,437.98 which was more than the available budget of £73,000. Members of the Grants Board were asked to consider the applications set out in Part II of the report and agree funding.

 

Members are not able to exceed the total budget available.

 

Grants awarded are subject to agreement from the Council’s Cabinet during the budget setting process for financial year 2023/24.

 

 

Falcon Judo Club - £ 2,000.00

 

The "Judo for All" project will help young members of the community be more active and have the opportunity to spend their time both effectively and actively. The charity recognise the huge negative impact of the Covid-19 crisis on young people's mental health and wellbeing. Furthermore, there is a known fact that students who practice martial arts for longer, are more confident and make better progress at school: healthy mind in a healthy body. They are less likely to become bullied or bullies, use alcohol or drugs, or join gangs.

 

The charity strongly believe that this project will increase the number of active teenagers in the community and help them get back to normal as soon as possible after the Covid-19 crisis.

 

The charity are a not-for-profit judo club; and are part of the British Judo Council. The club will deliver free judo sessions for teenagers. The club will aim to popularise the sport (including self-defence techniques) among young people in the local community. Judo is a sport which helps students to build their confidence, strengthen the student's mind and body through training, while learning discipline, perseverance and respect.

 

The following points were noted:

 

·       Members thought it was a good project.

·       It was noted that the Falcon Judo Club were not seeking funding elsewhere and members thought it was a risk.

·       Members wanted to encourage the club to look at alternative funding and apply for the Council’s Small Community Grant.

 

REJECTED a grant of £2,000.

 

 

Forever Young People - £19,260.00

 

Forever Young People CIC combines multi-sport activities and mentoring. The programmes support young people with mental health issues who were displaying self-destructive behaviours and have suffered from social anxiety during Covid-19. These young people are specifically referred to Forever Young People due to mental health issues via doctors, teachers, the youth services, and the various council support teams.  Most referrals were from sufferers with high deprivation, issues with gangs, anti-social behaviour, substance misuse etc. Many have challenging home lives and would not otherwise attend multisport sessions.

 

The group of young people engaged through this programme have seen huge growth across several areas including:

 

Better wellbeing, raised self-awareness, understanding in self-regulation, higher confidence and self-esteem, less criminal behaviour, and building on transferable skills.

 

The following points were noted:

 

·       Members thought this was a good cause that helped young people tackle mental health issues and benefit the community.

·       Members were not impressed with the application and thought that it lacked detail about the project.

·       Members thought that they could apply for funding from appropriate sources such as the Health Services at Hertfordshire County Council.

·       Members stated that part of the funding is for staff costs, in the application it stated 99.5% of staff.  In paragraph 9 of the application it stated “Applications will not be considered if the request is for 100% of the salary of an individual.” Officers said this means that the council will not fully fund staff costs and there has to be a specific use.

·       Members noted that the project would need to have properly trained staff to operate.

·       Members wanted to encourage them to apply for the Small Community Grants.

 

 REJECTED a grant of £19,260.

 

 

Herts Disability Foundation - £18,055.00

 

This project will be delivered in 11 Welwyn Hatfield primary schools.   This project ensures that all participating pupils are able to pedal independently and have their own bike and helmet. Cycling is a great way for children to exercise and have fun, leading to improved fitness and health, at no cost. Following delivery of the project, all class pupils will have the skills and equipment needed to progress to Hertfordshire County Council’s Bikeability (cycling proficiency) training. This gives them the skills needed to cycle safely on our roads.

 

By taking donations of unwanted bikes from local residents and waste centres (through HCC Re-use Centre) the foundation are re-using equipment which would otherwise go to landfill, thus reducing waste. This also means that the ‘life’ of each bike is lengthened, as it will have multiple users. The foundation hope that the scheme will encourage families to donate bikes to other disadvantaged children once their child grows out of it.

 

The following points were noted:

 

·       Members thought that this was a worthy cause and made a positive impact to mental health and a good way for children to be active.

·       It was noted that to participate in the project, children would need to have a bike.

·       Members wanted to part fund the project, mainly the helmets and spares.

·       Members noted that with the cost of living crisis at present, parents may struggle with buying a bike for their kids.

·       Members felt that not many schools will take up this scheme, as it was stated in the application that they were looking for funding to train people in 11 schools.

·       Members wanted the foundation to target three schools first and then receive feedback on how it was going.

·       Members were disappointed that the rural schools in the borough were not included in the list.

 

AGREED a grant of £4,800.

 

With condition:

 

(1)     Target 3 schools in the borough, one in each category (Rural, Welwyn and Hatfield) and receive feedback on how the scheme is doing at the schools.

 

 

Home-Start Herts - £19,451.00

 

The aim of the project is to provide support to parents who have neurodiverse children, so they can have positive relationships and provide their child with the best support. Having a neurodiverse child can be exhausting, overwhelming and lonely. Due to the behaviours and characteristics that can be displayed, parents can find even a trip out challenging, particularly if it is somewhere that is busy and loud. Integrating with other children and parents can also be difficult as social and emotional skills are sometimes underdeveloped in particular neurodiverse conditions, which other children and parents do not understand and they often become judgemental.

 

This funding would be used to enable the families to receive support to manage the challenges that they are facing. It is estimated that this funding would cover the cost of supporting approximately 15 families (this is dependent on the complexity of the family's needs).

 

A range of costs are involved that include, but are not limited to, the processing of referrals, the initial visits to the family, regular supervision and training of staff and volunteers (essential for safeguarding), monitoring, evaluating and reporting; all of which involve a variety of skilled and qualified staff and volunteers.

 

The following points were noted:

 

·       Members thought that this was a great project and helped struggling families.

·       Members wanted to know where else they applied for funding.

·       Members noted that a big part of the funding would go towards staffing costs to deliver the project.

 

AGREED a grant of £9,843.50.

 

 

Recover Team - £14,493.00

 

The safe and nurturing environment helps people to overcome anxiety and social phobias. Participants experience:  improved ability to manage mental health (able to recognise ‘triggers’ and emerging issues and know how to access help), improved confidence and self-esteem, improved trust and hope, and reduced social isolation.

 

Recover provides support post-treatment for adults in recovery from addictions and mental health problems and helping to sustain their recovery. Lower relapse rates result in reduced crime and anti-social behaviour, making the community safer, and reducing the cost of social services, policing, and healthcare.

 

In response to demand, Recover plan to open the Recover workshop for an additional day each week (increase from 4 days/week to 5 days/week). They will increase the number of sessions provided (10am - 4pm) from 40/week to 50/week and from 2,000/year to 2,500/year. This will enable them to support additional participants as well as provide further support for existing team members. This will incur additional variable costs (increased utilities, salaries, materials).

 

The following points were noted:

 

·       Members noted that the funding is for opening an extra day in the week. The other option was to open on the additional day but restrict the number of participants attending.

·       Members wanted to see the percentage of people who leave the project? Officer said that in their application it was stated “We expect 7 people to move on from Recover to paid employment, and a further 3 to start their own business each year. 36 recognised qualifications will be awarded annually.”

·       Members thought that this was a great project that helped people learn new skills and gain employment.

·       Members thought the project was good for the community.

 

AGREED a grant of £14,493.

 

 

Resolve - £20,000.00

 

Resolve delivers a range of services that focus on improving the health and welfare of the community, in particular those with misuse issues relating to illicit substances, drugs, alcohol, over the counter and prescription medications. The services were aimed at helping people abstinence from misusing, see improved mental and physical health and improved relationships with the loved ones, families, neighbours and the community in which they live.

 

Part of the work also includes helping people learn/re-learn how to look after themselves in terms of mental health, sleep, personal hygiene and eating well.

 

Ultimately, people accessing Resolve's services will see improved health and welfare and the positive outcomes of this are the improved wellbeing of the wide community and local environment as a direct result.

 

The following points were noted:

 

·       Members thought the project was great, local and positive for the community.

·       Members thought they seemed confident in receiving funding.

·       Members noted that in their application they said “If we were unsuccessful for all the applications, the service would be at risk of closing.”  Officers confirmed that if they do not receive any funding from all their applications, they would be at risk of closing.

·       Members were worried that with the cost of living crisis, there may be an increase in addiction so there may be a greater need for this service and help people recover from difficult circumstances.

 

AGREED a grant of £13,863.50.

 

 

Walk The Walk Family Support Services - £22,610.00

 

Walk the Walk Family Support Service is a not for profits Community Interest Company who support families in crisis in Hertfordshire, either in their homes or in safe community venues. Families who use the service are at risk of breakdown, often struggling with poor emotional wellbeing, including childhood trauma, neglect, poverty with a raft of abuses and long-term health conditions. The service’s priority was to improve the health and wellbeing of all of the clients, both parents and children and prevent the risk of suicide.

 

The ‘Welwyn Hatfield Wellbeing Pod’ project aims to provide coaching, therapy, mindfulness meditation sessions and 1:1 parenting workshops for families. The new pod will deliver a programme which will look to reach vulnerable adults and provide a set of tools to create sustained positive change in their lives.

 

The following points were noted:

 

·       Members noted that the Walk the Walk services provide mindfulness classes to people who have chronic disorders.

·       Members noted that they have submitted other applications for grants to other councils in Hertfordshire.

 

REJECTED a grant of £22,610.

 

 

Welwyn & District Bowls Club - £13,356.00

 

They are a Community Amateur Sports club in Welwyn. They provide 6 rink greens for all women, men and mixed club members. They are an inclusive and safe community. The club have 150 members and pride themselves as being a club that invests in all, young and old, male and female, able bodied and disabled. The club promote disabled bowls and those with age related illness. They have a wheelchair that has been adapted with larger wheels for green bowling and support physical disabilities and have days set aside for visual impaired and days where groups with Parkinson can come and play.

The ‘Kitchen Project’, the Kitchen for the last 10 years, 25% of their revenue has come from kitchen food sales and events providing hot meals and drinks. The kitchen is old, and they struggle to get volunteer helpers to work in the kitchen due to this.  A new kitchen will attract more younger and early retired helpers to help the community.

 

The following points were noted:

 

·       Members noted that the club were not seeking funding elsewhere.

·       Members thought that the project could be funded in other ways.

 

REJECTED a grant of £13,356.

 

 

Welwyn Hatfield Community and Voluntary Services - £20,000.00

 

The Community Car Scheme provides transport to those mainly elderly and infirm local residents who are unable to afford taxis or take public transport to health-related appointments. "Let's Chat" provides a telephone service to support lonely and/or isolated people.  The Volunteer Centre provides volunteers to local charities. It also helps the unemployed to upskill themselves and provides a catalyst for retired people to share their skills locally.  Digital Inclusion provides Digital Champions to support people accessing online services, for example: booking GP appointments, online shopping or connecting with families afar.

 

Working with volunteers to give them a purpose and a range of skills to further enhance their employment opportunities. 

 

The following points were noted:

 

·       Members thought this was a good service to support as it supports the community and helps tackle loneliness.

·       Members liked to support the Community Car scheme.

·       Members wanted to know if the Community Car Scheme was advertised around the borough especially the rural areas.

 

AGREED a grant of £10,000.

 

With condition:

 

(1)   To fund the Community Car Scheme and to reach out to rural areas of the borough to promote the scheme.

 

 

Welwyn Hatfield Women’s Refuge and Support Services (WHWR) - £20,000.00

 

WHWR support women and children living in a refuge in the Borough by providing a key worker to each family to support women and children in their recovery. They also provide a drop-in group for women who have or are experiencing domestic violence. WHWR also provide support in moving into their new home by securing safety equipment in and outside and develop safety plans for all clients in refuge or the community.

 

For the ‘Refuge, Resettlement & Outreach Support Services project’ the funding will be used for Core Services.  The relief of emotional distress and suffering and the preservation and protection of the mental, and physical health of women and children in the Borough who have suffered or are exposed to domestic violence and abuse. This is by the provision of temporary accommodation, advice, information, practical and emotional support, drop-in sessions, a telephone helpline, specialist children’s services and by such other means as the trustees may determine.

 

The following points were noted:

 

·       Members noted that they have received funding elsewhere.

·       Members thought this was a great cause and were fully supportive of the project.

·       Members wanted more information out there on Male Domestic Abuse as during Covid, 40% of abuse was on men.

·       Members noted that the Council have a Domestic Abuse Officer.

 

AGREED a grant of £20,000.

 

 

Welwyn Rugby Football Club - £14,412.00

 

The club provide rugby for over 1,500 members at the lowest possible subscriptions. Virtually all members are from within the WHBC area.

 

The clubhouse is the life blood. It was built in 1974 and has asphalt lined gutters which are past their useful life. The gutters are valley gutters, so when they leak, they leak into the building. Without a watertight clubhouse, we would not be able to provide rugby for our 23 sides.

 

The ‘Lining of valley gutters’ project is to reline existing valley gutters, as the clubhouse is not watertight currently.

 

The following points were noted:

 

·       Members noted that the club were not seeking funding elsewhere.

·       Members noted that the building is council owned.  Members asked why the council were not repairing the gutters?  It was noted that the contract had changed so any repairs that needed to be done, had to be done by the club.

·       Members thought it would be a good idea for the club to seek funding elsewhere such as local painters or builders.

 

REJECTED a grant of £14,412.

 

 

Welwyn Wheelers - £12,600.00

 

The project (Replace Fleet of Track Bikes) will contribute towards the councils 2036 strategy to develop the Gosling Sports Park as a community cycling sports hub. The projects will provide more opportunity for local residents of all ages to participate in Track Cycling using modern bikes in a safe environment. The club have been extremely successful in 2022 in attracting new riders into Track riding through its participation in council and national schemes such as 'This Girl Can'. A new modern fleet of track bikes which help to continue to attract people into the sport and support the borough maintaining its above national sporting participations levels and provide the opportunity to increase sporting participation rates in the future across the borough (Sport England Active People Survey).

 

The project is to ‘Hire Bike Replacement’ to replace 14 track hire bikes from the clubs existing fleet of 60 bikes. The hire bikes are offered to all participants of club coached sessions to both member and non-members of the local community. They are also offered to anyone participating in a club organised event such as the Welwyn Track League or British Cycling event including outreach programmes.

 

The following points were noted:

 

·       Members thought this was a good cause.

·       Members noted that they had already received funding to replace 10 track bikes.

·       Members wanted to encourage them to apply for the Small Community Grants.

 

REJECTED a grant of £12,600.

 

 

Wexli Academy Ltd - £8,706.98

 

At Wexli Academy, they help to maintain a safe and healthy community by providing a safe place for children, aged 4-18. They allow creative output through music, singing, acting and dancing, promoting positive mental health from classes to individual mentoring to putting on live production for friends, family and the Welwyn/WGC community, promoting physical health through physical exercise in a fun and engaging way through dance, using role play/drama to increase confidence and practice scenarios which they can apply to the real world.

 

The project ‘Theatre Performance’ will provide a performance opportunity, using all three strands of the Performing Arts: music, dance, and drama, for the children and young people, aged 4-18, of the Welwyn Garden City and surrounding villages, who attend weekly sessions at Wexli Academy. This show is fully inclusive and will include all 50+ members of Wexli Academy.

 

The following points were noted:

 

·       Members noted that the Academy are not seeking funding elsewhere.

·       Members stated that it was good that they were using local venues however the Hawthorne Theatre was hard to get to by public transport.

·       Members noted that the project was aimed at people who could afford to send their children there and not to people who could not.

 

REJECTED a grant of £8,706.98.

 

 

RESOLVED:

 

(1)   Members of the Grants Board are asked to consider the Annual Community Grant applications (as referred to in the Part II report) and make a recommendation to Cabinet in accordance with the council’s priorities and criteria.

 

(2)   To ensure that the fund is available widely, the maximum amount that will be supported through this fund will be £20,000 per organisation.

 

That Annual Community Grants should be paid as follows:

 

Organisations	Funding Request	Amount Granted
Falcon Judo Club	£ 2,000.00	£0
Forever young people	£ 19,260.00	£0
Herts Disability Foundation	£ 18,055.00	£4,800.00
Home-Start Herts	£ 19,451,00	£9,843.50
Recover Team	£ 14,493.00	£14,493,00
Resolve	£ 20,000.00	£13,863.50
Walk The Walk Family Support Services	£ 22,610.00	£0
Welwyn & District Bowls Club	£ 13,356.00	£0
Welwyn Hatfield Community and Voluntary Services	£ 20,000.00	£10,000.00
Welwyn Hatfield Women’s Refuge and Support Services	£ 20,000.00	£20,000.00
Welwyn Rugby Football Club	£ 14,412.00	£0
Welwyn Wheelers	£ 12,600.00	£0
Wexli Academy Ltd	£ 8,706.98	£0
TOTAL	£202,437.98	£73,000.00

 

(Note: For those that were rejected/ part funded, members had a difficult decision to make due to the high number of applications this year).