Grants available for community groups in coalfield areas

Community groups in Kent's coalfields are invited to apply for grants to help a range of projects for the future following the announcement of just over £70,000 for communities in 2014/15 from The Coalfields Regeneration Trust.

Grants from £500 to £5,000 are available, delivered by Dover District Council in partnership with The Coalfields Regeneration Trust. Grants are provided to support a range of projects to help coalfield communities.

Full information about the grant funding, including application forms, will be available on the community pages on the DDC website from 1 April 2014.

Examples of projects that the Coalfields Community Grants programme could support include iImprovements to a community facility, a training project that teaches a new skill or enables people to get a qualification, setting up a new or supporting an existing social enterprise, getting people involved in physical activity or addressing a local health issue, the establishment of a much needed new service or activity in a community, the provision of childcare places for nursery, pre-school and after school activities and activities that promote volunteering and get new people involved as volunteers.

Successful projects will have to target the coalfield wards of Aylesham, Barham Downs, Eastry, Eythorne and Shepherdswell, Little Stour and Ashstone, Middle Deal and Sholden, Mill Hill, North Deal and St Margaret's-at-Cliffe.

Cllr Sue Chandler, DDC Cabinet Member for community said: "We are very pleased to be able to continue to work with The Coalfields Regeneration Trust, and to deliver this important fund in partnership to support community projects in the coalfield areas."

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust Chair Peter McNestry said: "We are very happy to be able to continue investments in Kent. The Trust is still committed to improving the quality of life in coalfield communities and our partnership with the Council helps improve our reach and get important resources to local projects."

For more information contact Una Mills in the Communication and Engagement Team at DDC on 01304 872274.