Grants of up to £3,000 for groups who improve life for people in Haydon Wick are available from Wiltshire Community Foundation.
The Haydon Wick Fund was set up with the community foundation to provide funds for groups based in the parish or immediate area.
Previous successful applicants include Willows Counselling in Swindon, which was awarded £3,000 to subsidise counselling for people in the parish.
“We regularly receive referrals from clients living in Haydon Wick, many of whom have been signposted to us by GPs, other health professionals, family and friends,” said executive director Tanya Orr.
Each year the charity provides counselling to 200 people across the Swindon area, the majority of whom are on a low income and would not be able to access counselling from any other source.
Haydon Wick Parish Council was awarded £3,000 to fund a temporary youth worker to help with the re-opening of the parish skatepark after covid. Part of their role was to establish a volunteer network to oversee the running of the skatepark.
A council survey found that 37 per cent of young people who responded felt the closure of the skatepark due to covid had a negative impact on their mental health and 53 per cent said it left them without a safe place to meet their friends.
In 2019 a £2,230 grant provided kit, equipment and coaching for FC Abbey Meads four girls’ teams. Coach Peter Beasley said many the club’s players are from low income families and some are in care so the grant helped to subsidise them playing.
“With our newer teams we wish to see these grow and continue to add to them, breaking down social barriers for young girls who want to play football in a safe, non-judgemental environment,” he added.
The same year a £2,000 grant helped Haydon Wick Over 60s Club organise summer and Christmas outings for its 100 members.
Wiltshire Community Foundation joint chief executive Fiona Oliver said: “This fund has provided some really useful grants for small groups to deliver wonderful local support and we really hope to see more applications this year.
“It’s so important, as we come out of covid and return to normal life, to provide the funds needed to maintain activities and support, particularly where those who are on low incomes can be isolated and left behind. The strength of the community foundation is that we are there for those small groups who have few other options for funding.”
The Haydon Wick Fund is open for applications until 5 November. Applications from those in the parish or whose work benefits people living there are welcome.
Applicants must be a constituted voluntary or community organisation, a registered charity, a not-for-profit company or Community Interest Company, and can apply online at wiltshirecf.org.uk/grantsandsupport/groups.
More information about the foundation's work can be found at wiltshirecf.org.uk
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