BTAC Empowering Healthy Communities Grant Scheme

The BTAC Empowering Healthy Communities Grant Scheme is for community groups and organisations wanting to contribute directly to their town centre community and are looking for support with covid-19 recovery and to build future resilience following the impact of the pandemic.

The Scheme is operated using BTAC's Community Grants Policy with a scoring matrix based on the requirements of the Committee and the Empowering Healthy Communities Board and is consistent with BTAC's Terms of Reference; easy to understand; flexible; inclusive.  It includes a pre-assessment process with officers with only those applications scoring above a defined threshold to be considered by a Working Group of Members to make recommendations to the full committee.

Just like the existing small grant scheme groups and organisations can apply for funds of up to £1,000 contribution towards a large project or to fund a project in its entirety, whether it is for venue hire, to purchase small items of equipment, to cover insurance costs or to produce publicity materials.

However, any organisation wishing to apply for this funding must be able to make links to at least one of the aims as defined through the Empowering Healthy Communities Programme:

• Build strong links in the community 
• Increase information and guidance to the community from Government and official sources
• Build stronger relationships and engagement between communities.
• Supporting pride in place agenda and strengthening community spirit i.e. supporting community events
• Build trust in the community
• Increase access to guidance and awareness of local support services
• Activities that reduce social isolation and tackle loneliness

Organisations which have been funded in the last year include:

• The Wednesday Club
• Boston Centenary Methodist Church