Dacorum Borough Council: Community Grants Program (UK)

Deadline: 30-Nov-22

The Dacorum Borough Council is seeking applications for its Community Grants Program to support community activities and improve the wellbeing of Dacorum residents.

It is aimed at community groups and voluntary organisations within the borough who are looking for funding to deliver projects that will primarily benefit the people living in Dacorum. Projects must support their vision and priorities, as well as the "five ways to wellbeing".

Priorities

The Council’s vision is to work in partnership to create a borough which enables the communities of Dacorum to thrive and prosper. To apply for a community grant, projects must demonstrate they seek to work in partnership with other groups and meet at least one of the following Council priorities:
- A clean, safe and enjoyable environment
- Building strong and vibrant communities
- Ensuring economic growth and prosperity
- Providing good quality affordable homes, in particular for those most in need
- Ensuring efficient, effective and modern service delivery

Funding Information

Applicants can apply for up to £3,000.

Projects must also demonstrate they support the 5 Ways to Wellbeing

Connect: There is strong evidence that indicates that feeling close to, and valued by, other people is a fundamental human need and one that contributes to functioning well in the world. It’s clear that social relationships are critical for promoting wellbeing and for acting as a buffer against mental ill health for people of all ages.
Be active: Regular physical activity is associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety across all age groups. Exercise is essential for slowing age-related cognitive decline and for promoting wellbeing. But it doesn’t need to be particularly intense for you to feel good – slower-paced activities, such as walking, can have the benefit of encouraging social interactions as well providing some level of exercise.
Take notice: Reminding yourself to ‘take notice’ can strengthen and broaden awareness. Studies have shown that being aware of what is taking place in the present directly enhances well-being and ’savoring the moment’ can help to reaffirm life priorities. Heightened awareness also enhances self-understanding and allows positive choices to be made, based on values and motivations.
Learn: Continued learning through life enhances self-esteem and encourages social interaction and a more active life. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the opportunity to engage in work or educational activities particularly helps to lift older people out of depression. The practice of setting goals, which is related to adult learning in particular, has been strongly associated with higher levels of wellbeing.
Give: Participation in social and community life has attracted a lot of attention in the field of wellbeing research. Individuals who report a greater interest in helping others are more likely to rate themselves as happy.

What can be funded?

Revenue or capital as a ‘one-off’ grant for a specific project, event or programme of events, or equipment.
Short term revenue costs e.g. day to day running costs (excluding staff salaries) for a specific project.

Eligibility Criteria

Constituted groups:
- Any voluntary or community group can apply, including those already in receipt of funds. These groups must comply with the following conditions:
  - hold a bank account in the name of the group, requiring at least two signatories,
  - have a Management Committee of at least three people,
  - be non-profit making or a social enterprise where profits are reinvested for community or social benefit,
  - operate with no undue restrictions on membership.
Non-constituted groups:
- Informal / grass roots / non-constituted groups can apply.
- They must provide a letter of endorsement from a constituted charitable organisation, a local Councillor, Police Community Support Officer or other similar representative on their organisations headed paper.