TRAINING for young people, funding for IT skills for life, children and young adults with learning difficulties, a children’s festival for Frome and singing for older people have all benefitted from money from the Frome Development Community Interest Company (FDCIC).
The company was established four years ago to offer funding to individuals, groups and organisations.
Mayor Peter Macfadyen said, “There is a focus on funding which starts a process and enables projects to establish themselves, but also a recognition that it can be very valuable to step in at times of special need and crisis.
“In this round two, applicants were engaged in training, which the CIC recognises as key to enable people in Frome to adapt to new situations or to move ahead. We are especially pleased to be funding Mindset Training with £5,000 towards their ‘study programme for construction’ aimed at 16-17 year-olds and run in conjunction with Frome College.
“The courses will provide both classroom theory and site-based practical learning on ‘real’ projects – with these directly benefitting the community (such as the new Welshmill footpath).
“Frome Community Education offers a different sort of training in their IT Skills for Life project. The CIC has successfully funded this previously and is happy to continue to do so with a further £1,250, enabling people seeking employment to build necessary computer skills.
“Similarly, we have previously funded the ‘Friends Meet Up’ work of Openstorytellers, who provide a valuable service in the town for children and young adults with learning disabilities. While the CIC’s relatively limited funds are not able to provide long term core funding for work like this, we can support them to a point where this is possible – in this case with £4,651.
“Frome Children’s Festival is in the process of evolving from a one off summer festival, to a year round rolling programme which aims to tackle social exclusion. The recent – highly successful – Christmas party will be joined by events such as Sports Expo and Authors & Books for Children’s Day. Again the £3,575 awarded is intended to be catalyst funding to keep volunteer and community support sustained towards a point where other funds can be successfully applied for.
“Finally £560 was awarded for the initial costs of Golden Oldies running singing and activity sessions with the very popular Frome & District Day Centre held at the football club.
“The next round of grant making will be on 1st April; all the details of how to apply – including the criteria for giving, are on our website at www.fromedevelopmentcic.org.uk.”
