Local good causes set to receive almost half a million pounds

Lichfield District Council has announced the groups that will receive funding through its community and voluntary sector funding scheme. 

This forms part of the council’s commitment to award the voluntary and community sector £200,000 each year over three years from 2021 to 2024.

All the projects chosen support one or more of the council’s objectives. These include enabling people to help themselves and others, collaborate and engage with the council, and live healthy and active lives, as well as shaping place to keep it green and safe, and preserve the character and appearance of the district.

The following recipients of the grants will receive funding each year over three years:

• £120,000 to MHA Communities for enabling people in later life and shaping the community.
• £82,000 to Support Staffordshire for a thriving voluntary sector across Lichfield District.  
• £64,980 to South East Staffordshire Citizens Advice Bureau to increase advice and service provision across the district.
• £34,875 to Spark for its Grow and Thrive project to provide wellbeing activities and support work.
• £34,875 to Liberty for Liberty on Board project to help young adults who are out of work.
• £32,200 to Royal National Institute for Deaf for hearing health, support, information and connectivity in the community.
• £24,800 (over two years) to Transforming Communities Together for Places of Welcome to expand its network of community groups.
• £20,100 to Cruse Bereavement Care to provide information and support local people who have been bereaved.  
• £19,700 to Friends 2 Friends to support adults with learning difficulties.
• £18,120 to Phoenix Counselling Service to provide an affordable counselling service for local adults.
• £17,800 to Lichfield Arts for Fuse and ongoing outreach and community engagement.
• £17,600 to Pathway Project for an economic abuse specialist, with an additional £12,400 from new Burdens funding.
• £1,950 to Staffordshire Care Farming to increase participation from Lichfield District in the Wellies Project, which offers therapeutic learning activities with animals, plants and the countryside for people with poor mental health.

Councillor Richard Cox, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, said:

“I am delighted we are funding such a diverse range of groups that work so hard to make a difference for communities right across the district. It will be vital in giving them more security and confidence at a time when many charitable organisations are struggling.

“From helping bereaved people and families suffering from domestic abuse, to investing in the arts and friends groups for socially isolated residents and people with learning disabilities, these groups and organisations work to improve the lives of local people and we’re really pleased to be able to support them with their important work.”

Lichfield District Council is also funding local good causes through small grants distributed by We Love Lichfield and through the Local Councillor Community Fund pilot.