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A new pot of money worth £70,000 is about to support a whole range of activities and projects, inspired and run by Oldham people. The new Small Grants Scheme will be run by Voluntary Action Oldham.

The scheme is targeted at proposals from small and newer groups. Smaller projects needing up to £500 will enjoy special priority, as the scheme aims to kick-start lots of new ideas, although grants of up to £5,000 are available. The scheme has a particular focus, and ideas should involve people in arts-based projects, or, should get adults to take part in sport or active recreation. Setting up schemes where people are involved in regular volunteering is also of special interest, and would cover a wide range of ideas.

Janet Maloney of Voluntary Action Oldham who is helping people apply to the scheme explained:
‘We hope to encourage anybody who thinks their idea is a good one, to get a group together and put in an application. There’s a straightforward grant application form where people get the chance to put across their proposal, and we are running short workshops to give tips and pointers on how to fill it in’.

At the moment the scheme is only for this financial year so you are advised to get your application in early. A panel of local people will make decisions on which scheme to support, and the first decisions are expected early in August. The scheme, run with funding support from The Oldham Partnership, is competitive and not all projects will be funded.

Application workshops are at a variety of locations and are being arranged with the help of the Area Managers’ Team at the Council.  Ring Jahida Begum on 0161 770 1120 to book your place.
Download a list of application workshops here

Ring Voluntary Action Oldham on 0161 633 6222 for details and an application form or see website http://www.vaoldham.org.uk/