FOUR community projects across Rother are set to receive a cash boost thanks to generous grants from the council’s Community Grants Scheme.

Rother District Council has awarded over £19,500 to local community groups and organisations across the district in the first round of this year’s community grant funding. All the successful projects will enhance the lives of local residents.

A grant of £3,400 will contribute to the cost of new climbing play equipment and physical activity items for Battle Pre-school.

The equipment will be designed to be used both inside and out, and will promote muscle building, healthy exercise and balance skills in the children, as well as risk learning and confidence building. A Tool Station will help with fine motor skills and learning how to share.

Bexhill charity Community Supporters, which aims to promote conservation protection and improve the physical and natural environment for public benefit, has been awarded £10,000 from the scheme.

The grant will go towards funding phase 1 of the Bexhill Beach Garden Project to establish access to the beach at West Parade so people can view the Wave of Hope pebble mural created by Bexhill Creative following the pandemic, and the installation of the first of four planned lily pad seating platforms.

£2,384 has been awarded to Right Path Hiking and Camping Skills, a new community group based in Bexhill which provides opportunities for people who struggle with addiction and mental health to learn how to hike, orienteer and camp in a safe and fun environment.

The group supports its members to get practical skills as well as obtain industry recognised qualifications which can help them into paid employment.

The grant will help towards the costs of training and providing equipment for group members.

The council also agreed an award of £3,802 to Winchelsea Village Hall to reconstruct the interior of the female toilets and provide new facilities including thermal insulation, hygienic surfaces and repairs to the sash windows.

In addition, the Community Grants Scheme Panel has awarded a small value project grant of £312 to Family Support Work, as well as two grants from the Rother Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Grants Scheme to The Hunter Gatherers (£1,000) and the Bexhill Environmental Group (£364).

Cllr Susan Prochak MBE, Chair of the Community Grants Panel, said: “Every year, the council’s Community Grants Scheme awards up to £130,000 to community groups and organisations to help fund projects that will enhance the lives of local residents, and I am delighted the council has been able to help four more fantastic community projects.

“We want to help as many community projects as possible through the second round of funding and with over £90,000 available I strongly encourage volunteer groups, local societies, Parish Councils and charitable organisations to speak to their local district councillor and see if they are eligible for a share of the remaining funding.”

Community groups and organisations are invited to apply for funding from the second round of this year’s scheme when applications open on October 1, 2023.

Applications for the medium awards (up to £5,000) and large grants (up to £30,000) must be received by November 30, 2023. Applications will then be considered by the Grants Panel before recommendations are made to Cabinet in March 2024.

Small project grants of up to £1,000 can be applied for, and are awarded, all year round.

Grants of up to £1,000 are also available on a first come, first served basis from the new Rother Reduce, Reuse and Recycling Grants, which offers funding to community groups and charities who are committed to helping the Rother District to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

For more information and to apply visit www.rother.gov.uk/benefits-grants-and-funding/community-grants-scheme/

Published: 20th September 2023