Community groups' joy at £255,000 fund boost

More than 60 projects are to benefit from a £255,000 community fund.

EN:Communities’ capital grants programme has unveiled support for organisations across Yorkshire and the Humber, Lincolnshire and north Derbyshire.

Groups will receive support ranging from £299 to £15,320.

Founded to “reduce poverty and promote healthy living”, bosses say the EN:Communities Community Foundation Fund will deliver the grants, with the funding pot generated through Sheffield-based social housing consortium Efficiency North’s procurement services arm EN:Procure.

Winning entries included Paces Sheffield, a specialist centre, charity and school for children and adults with cerebral palsy and motor disorders, which has received £3972 to help buy an overhead ceiling hoist.

Smart Works Leeds has also been allocated £2348.

The organisation, which provides unemployed women with coaching, clothing and confidence to secure jobs, says the cash will pay for “technology, to practical items such as steamers, to prepare donated workwear ready for clients’ interviews and job starts”.

Ken Taylor, EN:Communities’ chair, who revealed the venture received 275 applications, said: “The fund has received an incredible response, with demand far exceeding the funding available. 

“It highlights the challenges our communities face and the determination of groups passionate about delivering lasting change for them.”

The fund was launched to mark the tenth anniversary of EN:Communities, which was established to help improve social housing tenants’ and residents’ quality of life and social mobility opportunities.

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