Community and voluntary groups from right across Wirral are being invited to apply for grants of up to £5,000 from a brand new community fund being launched on Monday November 19th.
Your Wirral, a fund jointly administered by Wirral Partnership Homes and Wirral Council, has made available £300,000 to support local groups until the end of March next year, with a further £500,000 to follow from April 2008 to March 2009.
Groups can apply for grants to help them meet whatever need is a priority for them, so long as it meets one of the seven themes of the Your Wirral fund, which are:-
1. Creating an attractive and safe environment;
2. Contributing to community economic regeneration;
3. Preventing crime or reducing the fear of crime;
4. Providing employment and training for local people;
5. Benefiting local people who face discrimination;
6. Improving community facilities;
7. Engaging communities to improve quality of life
Reporters and photographers are invited to attend the official launch of the fund at the Belmont Suite, Tranmere Rovers FC, Prenton Park, on Monday November 19th at 6.30pm.
Senior officials from both Wirral Partnership Homes and Wirral Council will be in attendance, along with Wirral’s Mayor, Cllr. Phil Gilchrist. Former Brookside star Suzanne Collins will also be there to present cheques to the first recipients of Your Wirral grants.
Cllr. George Davies, Wirral Council Cabinet member for Housing and Community Safety, said: “Your Wirral provides an exciting opportunity for local community and voluntary groups to get much-needed financial support for them to improve, update or expand their activities. Unlike other such funds, this one is not limited to a geographical area or a particular type of group, this is open for everyone – from Egremont to Eastham, Tranmere to Thurstaston.”
Brian Simpson, Chief Executive of Wirral Partnership Homes, added: “We are delighted to be part of this exciting partnership initiative, which will undoubtedly be of massive benefit to a wide cross-section of the Wirral community. We’ve tried to make it as straightforward as possible for groups to apply for a grant and we look forward to receiving lots of applications very soon.”
To apply or find out more information about the fund, people can call 0151 691 8349 or email yourwirral@wirral.gov.uk. Details can also be found at www.wirral.gov.uk or www.wphomes.org.uk
For further information contact Alan Creevy, Press and PR Officer, Wirral Council, 0151 691 8039.
