West of Scotland Racial Equality Council Ltd

Latest News from WSREC

 

Press Release
November  2009  

Voluntary Action Fund’s Community Chest programme aims to help improve local communities and the lives of people most in need. Applications are welcomed from small community and not-for-profit groups who can apply for a small grant up to £1,000 to fund general activities or a specific project.  

As well as being eager to fund groups in the target geographic areas The Voluntary Action Fund is especially keen to hear from groups who work with disability or health related issues, provide childcare or whose beneficiaries face exclusion due to their ethnicity, disability gender or sexual orientation. 

Previous recipients of Community Chest funding have included funding for after school clubs, a confidential community based counselling service, a drop in centre for people affected by mental health issues, a meeting place for elderly people and a Youth Café.

Chris Smith the Community Chest Grants Officer said ‘’The small pots of funding we can provide through the Community Chest programme really will make a significant difference to people's lives in our new target regions, whilst also sustaining and developing the activities of the community groups involved.  We’re excited to see what varied and inspired applications we’ll receive throughout the year and the difference the Community Chest funding will make to the communities of North Ayrshire”. 

Applications for the Community Chest programme are welcome throughout the year with the next deadline being the 31 December 2009.  Groups wishing to apply for a Community Chest grant can download an application form and guidance notes from the VAF website at www.voluntaryactionfund.org.uk. Alternatively contact Patricia or Chris at the Voluntary Action Fund, either by telephone on 01383 620780 or by e-mailing This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

ENDS: 

Gary Smith, Communications and External Relations

T:         01383 620780                                                

E:         This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it                 

W:       www.voluntaryactionfund.org.uk  

Notes to editors  

Voluntary Action Fund is Scotland’s leading independent grant-making body investing in voluntary and community based organisations throughout Scotland.   The funding and support VAF provides enables community based organisations to undertake projects that challenge inequalities and overcome barriers to being involved in community life.  

Voluntary Action Fund operates a number of funding programmes furthering the legacy of grass-roots grant making and robust practice it has established over the last 28 years aimed at promoting the inclusion of those most excluded within their communities.  

They include: 

The Community Chest a small grant programme providing grants of up to £1,000 and free training to help small community groups in Scotland with an annual income under £25,000 sustain and develop their activities. The Community Chest grant programme is managed by VAF and is funded direct from the Scottish Government. The programme will disburse £400,000 over the two years 2009-10 and 2010-11. 

The Volunteering Scotland Grant Scheme is a Scottish Government initiative developing high quality volunteering opportunities with the community and voluntary sector. VAF has recently awarded grants to 62 organisations to assist the development of high quality volunteering opportunities and volunteer support. Twenty three of the awards are for small grants of less than £5,000, while the remaining 39 are for more substantial projects over one, two or three years. 

The Equality Grants Programme funded through the Scottish Government Equality Unit, works to support organisations which combat inequality, foster integration, promote dialogue and understanding between communities. VAF provides dedicated 'investment support' including grant management, monitoring and development support for projects funded through the following:  Race, Religion and Refugee Integration; Disability; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT); and Gender streams:

Race Equality Module 

The "Introduction to Professional Practice in Race Equality " course is a 12 week course run at the University of the West of Scotland in partnership with WSREC. Two sessions are run each academic year. For futher information please contact the WSREC office or to request an Application pack contact the University of the West of Scotland Lifelong Learning on 0141 848 3193.

Board of Directors

Wednesday 16th December 2009 at 6pm

Wednesday 10th February 2010 at 6pm

Monday 19th April 2010 at 6pm