Community groups across the borough have received a Christmas boost as Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council delivered grants as part of its community development grant scheme.
Financed by the UK Shared Prosperity fund, round three of the scheme has seen £76,660 shared to 56 groups in Tonbridge and Malling.
Grants of up to £2,500 were available to organisations that provide a service to residents or help to improve the economic, social or environmental wellbeing of the borough.
All 56 eligible bids have now received their funding and the council will monitor each awarded organisation to see how projects progress.
Examples of some of the organisations and projects that will benefit from this round of funding include:
|
RBLI |
£2,125 |
To fund starter packs containing necessities for every new resident at Mountbatten Pavilion (RBLI’s emergency accommodation). |
|
Communigrow |
£2,125 |
To fund a minimum of 8 x 2-hour cookery sessions (including ingredients) for a range of beneficiary groups with a focus on East Malling and Snodland. |
| The Swan Community Project | £1,750 | To undertake essential maintenance and repairs of the community pub in West Peckham. The grant will fund materials and the work will be undertaken by 60+ local volunteers. |
|
Tonbridge Amateur Boxing Club |
£1,750 |
To fund a 12-week female focussed empowerment programme that uses boxing fundamentals to build confidence, resilience and wellbeing. Funding will provide 12 places. |
|
Age UK Tonbridge |
£1,750 |
To part fund a wheelchair accessible vehicle to allow the continuation of the essential transport service to the day centres. |
|
Blue Bell Hill Village Hall |
£1,375 |
To make safe and improve the aesthetics of the outside space for the various community groups who use it. |
|
Russet Players |
£1,375 |
To launch a new youth theatre, engaging with up to 20 young people in a fully inclusive and supportive theatre, removing financial barriers for those who would otherwise be excluded. |
|
Compaid |
£1,375 |
To deliver one-to-one digital skills training sessions with a focus on supporting unemployed young people in Trench ward, Tonbridge. |
|
Cast A Thought |
£1,373 |
To launch a “Fishing for Friendship” eight-week programme of facilitated sessions to help with confidence and resilience, improving social networks. |
|
Borough Green Village Hall |
£1,375 |
To replace deteriorating main doors to reduce heat loss and high energy costs. |
A spokesperson for The Swan Community Project, said: ‘We’re incredibly grateful to have received this grant from the council. As a community-run pub that relies heavily on the support of local volunteers, this funding will make a real difference. It will help us carry out essential repairs to the flooring and windows, and contribute towards the installation of a brand-new kitchen. This investment ensures we can continue providing a warm, welcoming space for everyone in the community.’
Helen Elstone from Cast a Thought Fishing said: ‘This funding will enable us to support adults with mental health challenges or long term health conditions and those who are socially isolated, by providing fishing activities and equipment. After fishing the group meets for refreshments. Through these sessions, participants are able to build new connections, become more active, learn new skills, and enjoy the wellbeing benefits of spending time in nature.’
Councillor Des Keers, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: ‘These grants are designed to help local groups build on the excellent work they are already doing to improve the lives of residents. It’s been great to see how these grants can ease the costs associated with running an organisation or service and I look forward to seeing further benefits to residents in the borough.’