East Cambs Community Fund
Started by a significant capital donation from East Cambs District Council and followed by other donors that care about the District, the East Cambridgeshire Community Fund makes small grants to support small, local voluntary and community groups and organisations that are undertaking charitable work in East Cambridgeshire.
Under the Grassroots Programme, which ran between 2008 and 2011, capital donations were enhanced by a government match. Each year these invested sums produce income that is added to the Fund and then available to make grants.
The focus of the Fund is to support projects that are working with one or more of the following aims:
- To Create Safer & Cleaner Communities
- To Promote Health & Wellbeing
- To Encourage Sustainable Growth
- To Achieve Better Outcomes for Children & Young People
- To Support Business, Skills & Enterprise Development
- To Promote Involved Communities
Rercent Awards
Grants awarded from the fund include:
The Prospects Trust received a grant to establish a small stand alone project based around Eco-therapy, converting a small area of land and an old polytunnel into a space to grow rather than to produce products for sale.
The Connections Bus Project received a grant for the provision of mobile youth work facilities in Ely North, Littleport, Soham North and Chatteris.
Voluntary and Community Action East Cambridgeshire received a grant of £2,500 to develop a support and training Forum for volunteer managers to train and support volunteers.
Viva Arts and Community Group received a grant of £250 towards a day of arts and performance activities to children from the migrant worker communities of East Cambridgeshire in order to build their self-confidence.
East Cambridgeshire Neighbourhood Watch Association was awarded a grant of £272 to promote neighbourhood watch and safety and security in the community.
Young People Littleport received a grant of £3.000 towards a graffiti workshop to teens in order to encourage creativity and independence within a setting which develops self-discipline, concentration, self-expression, and consideration for the wider community.
Home start East Cambs was given £300 to contribute towards costs of helping local families in Ely. This programme helps to allocate volunteers to new families as appropriate and to offer the service to existing families and helps to linking the families into the local community and reduction in isolation.
Stretham Youth Club was given £1,000 towards running a six week healthy eating project for 11-18 year old. This programme helps to improve life skills e.g. coping, financial, social, communication etc.), increased participation as a volunteer and healthier eating.