Sandwell Council and Sandwell Council of Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) have launched Round Two of their Sandwell Community Sports Grants programme.
Applications are open until Monday 26th February 2024 and grants are available to support projects that will achieve one or more of the following:
- Create new opportunities for Sandwell residents to take part in sport in a community setting
- Support people to transition from ‘healthy lifestyle’ activities into regular sporting activities
- Increase the number of volunteers involved in helping to deliver sports activities
- Create opportunities for volunteers to become qualified coaches
To be eligible projects will also need to be able to show how they can increase opportunities for participation in sport / physical activity amongst residents and that capacity and sustainability of sports in Sandwell are strengthened, for example, through increased volunteer involvement.
Priority will be given to projects that can demonstrate a plan for how their activities will be sustained in the long term.
Funding is available up to £5,000 (that can be spent over a one-year delivery period, with a minimum amount of £500).
Prospective applicants need to have an initial conversation with SCVO before submitting an application. Contact us to arrange a chat.
Previous successful applicants include projects involving Special Olympics, football, netball, basketball, cricket, fitness training as well as schemes to mentor and improve coaching and training.
Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism, Councillor Charn Singh Padda, said:
“We want our residents to have the best chances to lead happy, sociable and above all health lives and nothing can help achieve this as much as the varied community sports blubs across the borough.
“This is why are offering these grants to support those clubs to grow their membership, reach out to new groups and give everyone access to a sport that they can enjoy regardless of their background, age or ability.
“So, come on and Boost Your Club by applying for a grant before the deadline!”
Mark Davis, Chief Executive Officer of SCVO, said:
"This programme is a great opportunity to strengthen and sustain our many fantastic sports clubs and community groups in Sandwell. This investment will help to create new ways for people to enjoy sport – whether that’s doing so for the first time or more regularly – as well as enabling people to take part in their community through volunteering. We know that being more active through sports and volunteering can help us to feel better about ourselves, learn new skills, meet new people as well as bringing physical and mental health benefits. The first grant awards have been made, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact those funded activities will have in communities across the Borough".
Sandwell also runs a Gifted and Talented programme to support individual sportsmen and women with the potential to excel at a regional, national and international level within their chosen sport. Each application is judged on its own merit by a funding panel. Funding awards vary as appropriate to the individual circumstances.