Voluntary and Community Sector awarded £1.9 million to deliver initiatives across West Northants
14 May 2024
West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has awarded over £1.9 million in grant funding to local Voluntary and Community Sector organisations to enable them to deliver a range of projects and initiatives across West Northants.
The funding has been awarded, over two years, as part of three Community Funding Grant Schemes using £655k from Central Government via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF).
Initiatives that will be delivered using the funding include improved community transport services; debt and money, and immigration advice services; and additional support for local infrastructure organisations to help them grow and meet the needs of the local voluntary, community and social enterprise sector.
Seven community transport operators have been awarded funding totalling £951k to provide safe and cost-efficient community transport options across West Northants which aim to increase accessibility and inclusion and reduce social isolation. The successful organisations are:
- Ability CIC
- Brackley Volunteer Car Scheme
- Cogenhoe & Whiston Parish Council (Village Hopper)
- Comm Mini-Bus
- Daventry Area Community Transport
- Northampton Door to Door
- Towcester Area Door to Door
Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire, in partnership with Daventry Volunteer Centre and South Northants Volunteer Bureau, were also successful in winning £260k of funding which will be used to bring together and strengthen diverse groups and marginalised communities and support the local voluntary and community sector.
Citizens Advice West Northamptonshire and Cherwell (CAWNAC) have teamed up with Community Law Service (CLS) following £620k of funding which will be used to provide debt and money advice services and provide early intervention and support to help prevent people from experiencing financial crisis and issues such as bankruptcy and eviction.
CLS alongside Northamptonshire Rights and Equality Council have also been allocated £116,164 to provide immigration support, including providing individuals with legal guidance to understand their rights, options, and obligations under immigration law and protecting the Human Rights of individuals fleeing persecution, violence, or other forms of harm.
“We are delighted to be awarding this funding to our fantastic VCSE partners and are extremely grateful for the vital work they do to support our residents and communities.Cllr David Smith, Cabinet member for Planning and Communities
“This grant funding will help to improve the lives of local people through a wide range of projects and initiatives, from alleviating transport challenges for some of our most vulnerable residents to empowering residents to take control of their financial lives and overcome debt.
“I look forward to seeing the various projects and services in progress and the positive impact these will have for people across West Northants.”