Purpose

Authorisation to Release Funds from the Inspiring Communities Match Funding Grant Scheme - October 2024

Decision

That the following grant awards totalling £26,885 are approved:

·         Attleborough Town Council £5000 - To contribute to the first-year costs of a new youth provision in Attleborough.

·         Breckland Children’s Clothes Bank £4500 - The grant will assist with core costs to enable Breckland Children’s Clothes Bank to continue & grow its provision across Breckland.

·         Fountain Of Life Church £5000 - To support the work of the mid-Norfolk Debt Centre.

·         Menscraft £5000 - To deliver the Pit Stop programme in Watton, Thetford and Dereham.

·         Norfolk Clubhouse £2470 - To fund an additional weekly session for members, old and new, of the Norfolk Clubhouse Watton Hub engaging with adults with chronic mental health needs.

·           The Horticulture Industry Scheme CIC (THIS) - £4,915 To support the ‘Social Gardens’ project which carries out garden transformations for vulnerable residents in Thetford and surrounding areas.

Reasons for the decision

The recommended awards demonstrate their alignment to the priorities of Breckland Council’s Inspiring Communities programme and the Breckland Health and Wellbeing partnership, whose outcomes are to enhance the health and wellbeing of Breckland’s residents by reducing health inequalities.

Inspiring Communities Priorities:

To address vulnerability and work with the most disadvantaged members of our communities to improve their life chances, with a focus on:

• Domestic abuse
• Mental health
• Social isolation and loneliness
• Early intervention projects which prevent escalation into crisis

Breckland Health and Wellbeing Priorities:

• Prevent cardiovascular disease
• Improve mental health
• Tackle issues arising from alcohol dependency and other alcohol related concerns

These awards will be used to establish new or strengthen existing community provision for care and support.

Alternative options considered

·         To award the recommended grant amounts

·         Not to award the recommended grant amounts