Purpose

Authorisation to Release Funds from the Communities Spark
Fund - March 2024

Decision

That a Spark Fund grant totalling £500 be awarded to
Breckland Childrens Clothes Bank in Swaffham.

Reasons for the decision

The clothes bank is set to move into a new project opening in Swaffham. The Swaffham convent barn is set to become a wellbeing centre.

The funding will help towards making a welcoming space for families as well as buying essential storage and racking. Opening the clothes bank in the barn will enable families to access the provision and choose the clothes their children need. It will be run by volunteers from the local area which will give purpose to those who volunteer.

Initially it will be open twice a week for families to attend and collect the clothes. The clothes bank is open to all those who live in the Breckland area. It will not only help those families that cannot afford clothes but assist with relieving working families of the cost of clothes.

The Clothes bank is also promoting sustainability, so will run sessions once a month for families to swap their children's clothes for others. This will result in less clothes going to landfill.

These schemes are proposing to trial new community activity which
improves community health and wellbeing. These trials will enable organisations
to measure success and determine longer-term sustainability for their projects,
which aren’t currently available in the local area or easily accessible in a
nearby Ward.

Alternative options considered

·        
To award the grant
funding

·        
Not to award the grant
funding