Chance to bid for community funding

People have until January 29 to seek grants from Blackpool Coastal Housing’s (BCH) Tenant’s Project Fund which provides grants to help projects that improve lives for local BCH tenants, residents and leaseholders.

BCH customers decide which projects are most deserving of receiving funding, with volunteering and recycling initiative among the schemes supported last year.

UR Potential, on Central Drive, received £6,000 towards youth and adult volunteering opportunities such as babysitting and bike renovation courses.

The Kensington Trust also received £6,000 for its Crisis Grant Line Furniture Recycling project which gives free furniture to people who cannot afford to buy it.

Funding of up to £500 has also been granted to a number of successful smaller projects including the development and upkeep of a community wildlife garden on Molyneux Drive, supporting community craft groups in Bispham, an initiative on Mereside to tackle dog fouling, funding for a community garden competition on Mereside and providing football kits for a newly-formed South Shore under 10s football club.

BCH chief executive John Donnellon (pictured left) said: “We are always keen to support projects which improve the lives of our tenants, residents and leaseholders.

“Over the years, we have supported some extremely worthy projects, which help build closer communities, promote healthy lifestyles and improve opportunities for children, to name just a few.

“It doesn’t matter whether your project is big or small, we will support you throughout the process.”

This month, groups can apply for a large grant of up to £10,000 while applications for smaller grants of up to £500 can be made at any time of year.

To find out more people can visit the website at www.bch.co.uk or contact (01253) 477932.