Grants of up to £2,000 for projects in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire

The Community Boost Grants programme is a one-off funding opportunity being administered by Age UK Bristol on behalf of Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care System. The money for this funding has come from the NHS Inequalities Improvement Programme. The grants are intended to allow local communities to set up their own activities or projects that will benefit people experiencing or at risk of poor health – whether that is due to long-term health conditions, significant life events, marginalisation or discrimination, stress, lack of financial security, or being unable to access opportunities for exercise or healthy meals.

Although Age UK Bristol, which has previously run similar schemes, is administering the grants, projects do not need to focus on older people. They welcome applications for projects aimed at young people, families, or for people of all ages. They also recognise the wider determinants of health, and will fund activities that focus on improving wellbeing through creative or social opportunities.

Groups or individuals can apply for up to £2,000 for their activity, which must take place in either Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire.

The deadline to apply is midday on Friday 16th September 2022.

Further details, including the application form and guidance notes, are available on the Age UK website.

Flax Bourton Village Hub has been hosting Tea and Tech sessions in the Hall on a monthly basis for some time now. The sessions, which focus on relaxed Tech instruction for local people along with offering tea and cake, are fun and helpful for people of all ages but especially so for those of more advanced years and those looking to increase their skills to access important online functions.

The Tea and Tech sessions have been funded by WERN (The West of England Rural Network) however, unfortunately, the funding will run out in September and the Flax Bourton Hub have taken on the challenge of keeping these popular sessions going.  The Hub are looking for helpers/volunteers to form a small team to ensure that the sessions can continue. Key tasks include:

• Help with setting up and providing refreshments at each session
• A good grasp of a range of basic computer/online skills to coach and guide on an individual basis
• Access to different groups and communication platforms locally and to help with advertising.

The Hub would also welcome support from anyone who feels they would like to be involved in a worthwhile local project, any help would be welcomed.

To find out more – with no obligation at this stage – please come along to the meeting on Monday 8^th August from 5.00pm until 6.00pm at The Flax Bourton Village Hub. Please contact Terry Williamson on 07767 159089 or via email <terrymary4749@gmail.com> for further information or to confirm if you will be coming along to the meeting.

The project is called Master Composters and it aims to set up a network of volunteers throughout the district who teach their friends, family and neighbours about composting by attending events, giving talks etc.

North Somerset Council launched the project with Garden Organic and have a dedicated Volunteer Co-ordinator working with the volunteers. They invest in the volunteers providing training, resources, paying expenses, organising socials as well as free membership to Garden Organic. In return they ask that volunteers commit a minimum of 30 hours of volunteer work per year. This work is organised both by the Volunteer Co-ordinator and the volunteers themselves.

They currently have eight volunteers attending events throughout the district. The next training session is on the 19^th July so they are looking for more volunteers.

To find out more go to Master Composters or contact Kate (Volunteer Co-ordinator) on either 07522 318 237 or keastment@gardenorganic.org.uk