Community groups and organisations supporting Melksham residents have been awarded grants to further their work in the town.
A total of £5,723.50 in Regular Grants was awarded to recipients in the November round of applications, which were approved at the meeting of the finance, administration and performance committee of Melksham Town Council, held on Monday 4th November.
Avon Bowls Club has been awarded £1,000 to replace deteriorated green edging and parts of the bowling rink, ensuring compliance with Bowls England regulations.
HELP Counselling Services was also awarded £1,000, which the charity will use to support 12 weekly counselling sessions at Queensway Chapel and later at St Michael’s.
In the grant application, the charity stated that the support would be ‘hugely beneficial for the town, allowing those who are unable to travel to the premises in Trowbridge to access local face-to-face contact with a counsellor.’
Celebrating Age Wiltshire received £790, despite requesting £980, to run six art workshops aimed at supporting local isolated and vulnerable older people by bringing them together to boost confidence and engage in social activities.
A total of £650 was given to the Forest Community Centre, which was affected by an arson attack earlier this year and had originally requested £1,000 from the town council. The centre stated they are in ‘desperate’ need of a new laptop, printer, laminator and answerphone.
SPLASH (Community First Wiltshire), which supports local young people, received £633.50 to fund 12 spaces on its Splash positive activities programme for young people aged nine to 19 who are facing challenges in their lives. The charity had requested £1,000.
Local charity Melksham Phab Club, which provides safe and fun spaces for disabled and non-disabled people to feel independent, meet new friends, and gain confidence together, was given £600 to subsidise a summer trip and coach travel. The charity had requested £750.
Read Easy North and West Wiltshire, which recruits and trains volunteers to work with adults to improve their literacy, was awarded £500 to support local adults with their learning and wellbeing.
Melksham Food Bank received £300 to fund cooked breakfasts on the first Saturday of January, February, and March next year.
Wiltshire Mind was also given £250, an amount that was earmarked in the grant budget in July.
Back on Track – Stroke Rehab Service had requested £1,000 but was declined. Councillors felt the request was primarily for “general or ongoing running costs” rather than a specific project or item, and the policy states that the council does not fund general running costs unless in “exceptional circumstances.” Councillors also noted that they had only recently awarded two separate grants to this organisation.
The next round of Regular Grant applications will open on 13th January and will close on 21st February, to be reviewed by the finance, administration and performance committee in March.
For further details regarding grant opportunities and application procedures, visit the Melksham Town Council website and social media pages. For enquiries or assistance with the Melksham Town Council grants scheme, email grants@melksham-tc.gov.uk or call 01225 704 187.
Pictured: Sara Phelps and Tina Oakman from Forest Community Centre which will receive £650
