Groups awarded Town Council grants to support Melksham residents

Groups and organisations who support Melksham’s community have been awarded grant funding from the town council, to enable them to continue their support for local residents.

In the latest round of the town council’s grant scheme funding, a total of £3,191.50 was awarded. These grants were approved during the recent meeting of the Finance, Administration and Performance Committee held on Monday 9th September 2024.    

The largest grant of £1,000 was awarded to Back On Track – Stroke Rehab Service. The service provides long-term rehabilitation and support to stroke survivors and their carers, many whom live in Melksham. The funding will be used to provide rehabilitation, activities, counselling and psychotherapy for stroke survivors. Melksham Food Bank, which was named Group of the Year by Melksham News last year, was awarded £700. This funding will help supplement their regular food parcels, provide breakfast meals on the first Saturday of October and November, and fund a Christmas meal for residents in need.

Wessex Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre, which provides a range of therapies for people living with multiple sclerosis, was given £700 to help with the continuity of physiotherapy and gym equipment, giving members from Melksham some stability and support.   

The centre asks for a donation from members of £15 for those who can afford it and at the meeting, Cllr Jon Hubbard sought clarity on the equipment and said that if future applications were made, he would like to see a discount for Melksham town residents on the voluntary donation per session.    

This would demonstrate to councillors that approving a grant would have a benefit for Melksham town residents. Additional grants were awarded to Wiltshire Mind, a local mental health charity, which received £250, and Youth Adventure Trust, which was awarded £249. This funding will support four young people from Melksham to attend pathway days.

Assembly Hall hire grants were also granted: Melksham Community Larder received £112.50 for their Clothes Swap event on Sunday 29th September, and Melksham Music Festival Ltd was awarded £180 for the Melksham Monster Ball on Saturday 26th October.

The next round of regular grant applications is open and will close on Friday 18th October, with decisions to be made by the Finance, Administration, and Performance Committee on Monday 4th November.

For more information about grant opportunities and application procedures, please visit the Melksham Town Council website and social media channels.

For enquiries or assistance, contact Melksham Town Council at grants@melksham-tc.gov.uk or call 01225 704 187.