Annual Funding News
In the week that followed Volunteers Week, Ashington Town Council continued to live up to their reputation as a ‘very generous council’. Pots of funding were agreed in the form of grants, climate focused support, and event and engagement assistance.
Sharon Parmley, the Council’s Communication and Engagement Officer is finding out first hand just how much goes on in Ashington. There are vast numbers of community organisations who deliver activities, events, and services to townsfolk. If you are part of one, and you haven’t contacted Sharon yet, please do, and check out Sharon's Community Blog!
As well as the Council’s small grant funding which is available quarterly for groups to apply for grants of up to £500, we have an annual grant process. This year the following groups received funding from Ashington Town Council.
Ashington Cricket Club £8,125 towards more energy efficient heating so they can continue to generate funds from functions to go towards the great endeavours of the club. The club is used by several groups and is also available for booking, having recently been refurbished.
Ashington Hirst Running Club £2,968 from events and engagement to support the club’s calendar of running events. The Council is also going to have a more active presence at the races and help with the amazing efforts of volunteers.
Ashington Rugby Cricket Club £3,000 towards a Double Bay Cricket Practice Training Facility, in the form of fixed nets for the growing number of members, with the club going from strength to strength. Funding from the Council is only part of that needed to finance the facility, and many more grant applications are being made, as well as the club using their own funds. and to continue to invest in the juniors in the club.
Being Woman £2,800 towards a cultural tour by members to support good mental health and wellbeing which will culminate in an exhibition in Ashington.
Cambois Rowing Club £5,000 towards new and used boats and blades for the club that will be vital when the new and inclusive pontoon is in place.
Citizens Advice Northumberland £14,242 towards the first-class service delivered in Ashington and via the online, and over the telephone service. The Council receive regular updates from Citizens Advice Northumberland, so we know the value and worth of the advice given.
Cycling 4 Everyone £2,806 towards supporting the weekly Tuesday bike workshop at Full Circle in Hirst Park. They offer a local repair and bike recycling station. The Council has used funding from their Climate Change budget to support this initiative.
Escape Family Support £8,000 to support the much-needed work of this local charity. The Council receive regular updates from Escape Family Support, which includes widely circulated newsletters and good news stories. Escape is an award-winning charity with a great team at the helm.
Mortal Fools £5,000 towards their work with young people. Mortal Fools are relatively new to Ashington but have made a huge impact using creative learning, theatre, and drama to support children and young people who are struggling in some way. As well as working from their main base in YMCA, they also work in school and community settings throughout Northumberland.
Northumberland Community Bank £2,000 towards running costs with an emphasis on getting the message out to local people about the dangers of loan sharks, and the using Northumberland Community Bank as an alternative for lending.
Real Deal Plus (Ashington Life Centre) £5,000 towards running costs and helping to support the invaluable work that sadly continues to be needed in Ashington. The work supports those who are homeless, as well as those simply looking for a listening ear and somewhere to get a meal and be directed towards further advice.
Reiverdale Scout Group £950 towards their summer trip to Seahouses and a visit to the Farne Islands.
Talking Marras £2,500 towards outdoor facilities to support their gardening accomplishments at Hirst Welfare. The group meets every Friday from 10am until 2pm at Hirst Welfare, and have also started arranging other social events , like bingo.
Wansbeck Valley Foodbank £14,500 towards running costs to continue to support the work of the foodbank in supplying food to those who need it. The Council receives regular updates from the foodbank and are aware that the cost of supply is increasing as well as the demand for the service.
YMCA Northumberland £10,000 towards the core running costs of the youth service delivered from the YMCA building which runs four evening/week, usually from 4pm until 8pm. There are separate sessions for different ages groups and YMCA have reported growing numbers and success with both planned and reactive sessions.
Agreeing over £87k of funding is no straight forward task. The Council prides itself on due diligence when it comes to funding, and in addition to the application process, some organisations were required to make a presentation to the Council.
Cllr Lynne Grimshaw, who Chairs the Finance and General Purposes Committee, ensured that members considered each application separately and were fully informed prior to taking a decision.
Leader of Ashington Town Council, Cllr John Tully, spoke about the sad times that were reflected in some of the applications, and the horror that the Council was even having to consider the growing need for foodbanks in the 21st Century.
Cllr Tully reminded members of the Council’s priorities, and in particular ‘supporting the community via events, engagement, and grant funding’, and ‘improving the environment by providing a pleasant and safe place to live’.
Cllr Tully said,
“It is with great pleasure and satisfaction that we as a Council can help those who are supporting those who need it most, but also that we can assist organisations that help to make this a thriving and active town.”
The Council will further promote those organisations who have benefitted from funding when Civic Head Cllr Victor Bridges attends events and meetings to present their cheques.
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