Voluntary groups set to receive £1million in funding
Published 16 February 2012
More than 30 community and voluntary groups are in line to share a million pound pot of funding from Southwark Council, it was announced today.
Council chiefs have drawn up plans to allocate grants totalling £1,149,911 to 35 organisations across the borough as part of Southwark's 2012/13 community support programme.
Groups providing services to the diverse communities of Southwark including support to older people, disabled people, women's groups and refugees are set to receive funding, subject to approval by Councillor Abdul Mohamed, cabinet member for equalities and community engagement and Council Assembly agreeing the budget.
Those set to benefit include Southwark Refugee Project (£68,747) Bede House (£17,378) and Southwark Pensioner's Centre (£132,888).
Funding has also been allocated for Peckham Voluntary Sector Forum (£41,051), Southwark Cyprus Turkish Group (£7,803) and the Wickway Community Centre (£61,295).
A number of new groups are also in line to receive money this year including Dulwich Helpline (£3,000), Aylesbury Everywoman Centre (£18,000) and the Crystal Palace Development Trust (£15,000).
A council report said the main objective of Southwark's community support programme was to "improve community relations and to empower and enable diverse communities and those who experience discrimination to achieve a better quality of life."
Commenting on the latest funding proposals, Councillor Richard Livingstone, cabinet member for finance, said: "As part of our commitment to ensuring a fairer future we are offering more than £1million worth of funding to 35 local voluntary and community groups in spite of government cuts.
"I was very impressed by the overall quality of applications and it's clear that many organisations have risen to the challenge of developing new ways of working in our more austere times.
"Southwark's voluntary sector does outstanding work and I hope our funding will help them to continue to support people across the borough in breaking down barriers and fostering strong community relations."
Increased demand from voluntary groups seeking funding in the current tough economic climate mean the council has not been able to support all of the grant applications. Other groups did not meet the specific funding criteria.
Unsuccessful groups who had previously applied for funding but missed out this time will be offered advice and support on fundraising or can make a formal representation to the council. They can also apply for money from the council's £1.5million transition fund to provide interim support for new ways of working.
To date almost £750,000 has been allocated through this fund to 54 groups who have demonstrated a commitment to more sustainable ways of working. The next round of funding was launched this week (13th Feb).
