Projects that promote Banbury people’s wellbeing and strengthen the town’s communities could be in line to benefit from a new £75,000 pot of grant funding.
Published: Tuesday, 8th August 2023
Cherwell District Council has launched the Brighter Futures Banbury Community Fund, offering up to £3,000 to groups or not-for-profit organisations delivering activities in three target areas of town. The grants are funded by Oxfordshire County Council’s public health budget.
Councillor Phil Chapman, Portfolio Holder for Healthy and Safe Communities, said: “I am really excited to be rolling out this new funding stream to Banbury’s communities. The decision to do so has been informed by an in-depth community insight project, undertaken by our partners at Community First Oxfordshire.
“The aim was to understand how we can better support the communities where statistically there is a higher prevalence of health inequalities. We are now building on the knowledge captured to identify projects which can, for example, encourage healthy habits or reduce social isolation.”
Community First Oxfordshire’s research includes interviews and focus groups with residents in three of the areas with the highest levels of deprivation in Oxfordshire, according to official government measures.
Their reports contain a number of recommendations for the sorts of projects which can best support the community, and these have informed the criteria for the grant programme.
They include the improvement of community spaces, and support for events which bring people together for shared meals or cooking classes.
Local groups can apply for funding for new or existing projects that improve health and wellbeing, and which promote the use and knowledge of local facilities or activities.
The fund is a continuation of Brighter Futures, a long-term programme which works to improve opportunities for people in Banbury’s most disadvantaged areas.
The new grants are therefore targeted to the Ruscote, Neithrop and Grimsbury wards of the town. The current window for grant applications is open until Friday 15 September.
Click below for guidance and an application form.