Thirteen voluntary and community groups in the Harrogate district are celebrating after being awarded grants totalling over £30,000 from Harrogate Borough Council’s Small Grants scheme.
The Small Grants Fund supports and strengthens voluntary and community sector organisations serving communities across the district. Funds are available to help increase participation and engagement, and to support new and innovative ideas.
This year is the tenth anniversary of the Small Grants Fund. Grants totalling £30,452 have been awarded to:
£3000 Asenby Institute, Boroughbridge
£2907 Charity of William Hardcastle, Pateley Bridge
£1705 Friends of Follifoot Wildlife Recreation & Play
£3000 Friends of St Cuthbert’s School, Pateley Bridge
£2000 Harrogate Skills 4 Living Centre
£2750 High Batts Nature Reserve, Ripon
£1675 Hookstone and Stonefall Action Group, Harrogate
£3000 Pannal Sports Junior Football Club, Harrogate
£2000 Scotton Scorchers Junior Football Club, Knaresborough
£1500 Sharrow Village Hall and Sports Ground
£1915 Rossett Local Nature Reserve Group, Harrogate
£2000 The Rotary Club Harrogate Brigantes
£3000 Wellspring Therapy & Training
All the groups and organisations that have been awarded a grant are invited along to a celebration reception later this month at Harrogate’s Mercer Art Gallery.
Councillor Richard Cooper, Leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said:
Community and voluntary organisations contribute immeasurably to the vitality of our district. That’s why an important priority for the council is supporting their work through grants like these.
The Small Grants Fund helps organisations provide projects and activities that hugely benefit local communities and their residents. This year’s awards go to groups right across the district working on a diverse range of initiatives, and I’m pleased that we are able to support them in their endeavours.
Sandra Jowett is the treasurer of Rossett Local Nature Reserve Group. She said:
The Rossett Local Nature site is habitat for an endangered species, the great crested newt. The volunteers strive to protect the site for the habitat as well as ensuring the local community can access and enjoy the site.
To have a grant from Harrogate Borough Council means that we can repair and replace the well used cinder path making it suitable for all users and replace the internal fencing which protects newt habitat.
Lynette Brammah is Executive Headteacher of St Cuthbert’s CE Primary in Pateley Bridge. She said:
Friends of St Cuthbert’s School are over the moon to receive a grant from Harrogate Borough Council.
Our project ‘Bike and Bloom in Nidderdale’ will bring local artists, heritage and the community together with the children. This would not have been possible without this additional funding and we are most grateful.
Emily Fullarton is Executive Director of Wellspring Therapy & Training in Harrogate. She said:
We are extremely grateful to Harrogate Borough Council for their donation towards the renovation of Wellspring’s new therapy and training centre.
There is a growing demand for mental health support for adults and young people in Harrogate and surrounding areas and it is encouraging to know the council understands the importance in supporting that need. Moving into larger premises will allow us to increase our services, reaching more individuals suffering from emotional distress.
