Groups and organisations in Melksham have been given a funding boost by Melksham Town Council in the recent round of core and community grant applications.
At the recent Community Development meeting on 16th June, councillors awarded core grants and community grants to local groups which help to improve life for local people.
Core grants
Core grants are awarded annually for a four-year period, offering financial assurance to larger organisations operating within Melksham town.
Organisations which were awarded a core grant were 4 Youth (South West), which were given £10,000. The charity supports young people and their families in Melksham by running support groups, a counselling service and activities.
The annual Food and River Festival, which is held in the King George V Park, was awarded £500. The festival celebrates all things local food, drink and river-based activities and is due to run this year from 30th to 31st August.
The Melksham Carnival team was given £3,000 to help run the popular event and the Tourist Information Centre was awarded £4,000.
Community grants
Melksham Town Council can award a maximum of £1,000 to a community group or organisation which can demonstrate improvements to local people’s lives.
Successful organisations included Alzheimer’s Support, which was awarded £500; the British Cactus and Succulent Society was awarded £374 for its annual British Cactus and Succulent Society Show; Melksham Food bank were given £500 for a monthly breakfast scheme and summer BBQ for users; and Group Five which was given £750. The organisation is based in Trowbridge but helps Melksham families by providing furniture and household goods to those in need.
Organisations which had applied for grants but were not successful in being awarded one were Age UK Wiltshire and Melksham Girlguiding.
Melksham Girlguiding were advised to resubmit their application in September. However, in the meantime, Cllr Jennie Westbrook agreed to work with them in her capacity as a Wiltshire Councillor to help them apply to the Melksham Area Board for a grant.
