The grants committee met on Friday 24 March to discuss the most recent grant applications for the Communities Looking Forward 2023 programme.
The grants committee began the meeting by sharing news that Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation is going to continue its funding of Acorn Activities a community-based family programme helping families with children aged 1 – 6 who live in the Jackman’s neighbourhood, Letchworth. Acorns Activities co-design with families the activities that they offer, enabling families to meet, interact and make new friends.
During the meeting, the following grants were awarded:
Variety Express, an inclusive dramatics group based in Letchworth, was granted £2,500 to help with the cost of purchasing their own lighting and production equipment. The group is run by volunteers who have historically performed at St. Francis College using rented production equipment. Due to the cost of living crisis running costs have considerably increased and this will enable the group to put on performances without paying large upfront costs.
Home-Start Herts were granted £15,000 to fund the management and training of volunteers to support six families in Letchworth. The support worker will give one-to-one advice, helping families with food preparation, budgeting and general parenting support. The grant will also go towards setting up a community based weekly family group offering support, food and regular activities.
The committee agreed to award Letchworth Film Club £825 to help build on their current membership and guest attendances at their monthly screening. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, and due to the subsequent cost of living crisis, membership to Letchworth Film Club has decreased and this grant will go towards finding new guests and members.
The committee awarded £8,000 to St Georges Church, a grade 2 listed building, to cover the cost of re-painting the church spire.
First Garden City Ladies Group were awarded £250 to help grow their membership. The First Garden City Ladies are a social group that formed in 2004 who meet at The Settlement and regularly host guest speakers and social afternoons.
The committee granted Friends of SADA (Survivors Against Domestic Abuse) £14,000 to fund a support worker. Friends of SADA is a service that provides advice, guidance and support to individuals and their families who are or have experienced domestic abuse. The support worker will continue Friends of SADA’s work in Letchworth alongside working with schools to provide teachers with training and tools to spot victims of abuse.
The grants committee will meet again in December 2023. To apply or find out more about our grants programme, visit our page or email alastair.stewart@letchworth.com
