Community Fund...

Helena is committed to supporting and developing local communities and has designed its fund to do this.  We will use our fund to help people create, plan, manage and organise their own projects. The purpose is to make a more lasting impact on people’s lives and the places in which they live.

Helena Partnerships' Community Fund has a total of £24,000. The fund is split between our 4 neighbourhood teams, giving each area £6,000. The money will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis. Once the fund is spent, it will be closed until the next financial year. If at the end of the financial year one or more areas have an under spend, this money will be transferred to areas where all the money has been spent and where there are outstanding applications.

What will Helena's Community Fund support?

Helena’s community fund will support the following:  

• Activities
• Projects that support resident priorities
• Projects that benefit Helena’s residents
• Projects that improve Helena’s neighbourhoods

Priorities

We consulted with residents at listening days and through focus groups to highlight the priorities which they felt were most appropriate. Your application will need to support one or more of the following priorities, the themes which will be guided by Helena. They are:-  

• Health (For example, A project which tackles health issues through gentle exercise sessions for older people)
• Young People (For example, A group which enables young volunteers to take part in activities which make a difference to the estate on which they live, building their experience, skills and confidence, for example a Youth Group)
• Environment (For example, A group which brings together the local community to tackle an environmental issue on their estate for example to develop a community garden)
• Sport (For example, A project which tackles health issues through sports, for example the development of family rounders sessions)

How the fund is awarded

A panel will assess each application. They will assess the applications against set criteria based on resident’s priorities. The panel will consist of a Helena Neighbourhood Manager, Helena Inward Investment Officer, Tenant Board Member, St Helens CVS representative and Princes Trust representative

Who can apply?

• Community Groups (For example Tenants and Resident Associations, Buddy Groups)
• Voluntary Organisations

Who cannot apply?

• Profit making organisations
• Statutory agencies, (including schools)
• National charities
• Individuals

How much can I apply for?

Grants of up to £500 are available. You may apply for more than one grant but they must be for different projects and the total of all the grants must not be more than £500.

4 grants, (1 in each neighbourhood area) of £1000 will be available but linked to more sustainable projects and capacity building/volunteering projects The fund does not necessarily have to meet the full cost of your project.

More information

The Community Fund application form and application guide are available to download using the links below. If you have any queries or require help in completing your community fund application, please contact the Community Engagement Development Officer on 01744 675678.

Click here to download the Community Fund application form in Microsoft Word format
Click here to download the Community Fund application guide in Microsoft Word format