Over the course of 2013 Frome Town Council have been engaged with the distribution of considerable sums of money to help support and develop local groups within Frome.
These funds have been a valuable life line to a great number of charities and groups who help sustain the lives of many people within the town. By the end of the year Frome Town Council will have given away a staggering £80,000 to over 49 different groups, comprising 28 large grants, 18 small grants, one participatory grant and six ongoing grants, all with extremely positive and encouraging results.
One such award winner was Positive Action on Cancer, who used their grant to support a development programme aiming to increase volunteering and offer positive benefits to members of the local community who volunteer with PAC.
Volunteering enables individuals to engage in their community and develop their sense of purpose and self worth, it’s widely accepted that taking part in a volunteer programme has a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing, reducing stress, depression and psychological distress.
Joy* who joined the team after the loss of her husband said, “Volunteering has helped me make a new set of friends, its has been a very rewarding experience, both through helping to raise much needed funds, realising the benefits of counselling for some people and also learning new skills.”
Claudia Pepler, director of the Merlin Theatre, and another grant award winner stated that the funds they received, “Could not have come at a better time” and that the Merlin was, “Facing a very real threat of closure” due to their severe funding cuts. As a result of the funding secured from Frome Town Council, the theatre were further able to apply for match funding from The Arts Council, securing them a considerable grant for future years.
Another grant winner this year was Frome Ladies FC who used their funds to purchase instant dry ice packs for each team to help with match injuries, they were also able to replace old footballs, purchase larger goals and buy new kit for their Under 16 team.
All their squads continue to train on the astro pitch at Frome Leisure Centre each Wednesday evening and play league matches in Frome (thanks to Selwood/Oakfield/Frome College/Frome Town FC for pitches) at the weekends. They are always looking for new members to join and can cater for all abilities, so why not give them a try and get fit the fun way.
Next year Frome Town Council will begin to receive applications for new grants, made available to the community focused groups within the town.
Do you think your club or organisation could do with a vital life line or boost in 2014? If so now is the time to start thinking about it. Information will be made available in the first quarter of next year on their website and on Facebook, but its never to early to start thinking about it. Get in touch with Frome Town Council on Facebook or through their website to hear more, or by emailing Laura at admin@frometowncouncil.gove.uk.
