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Many agencies and voluntary organisations will have heard of – or even benefited from – Somerset’s Global Grants, the grants that reach out to local level where communities are best placed to identify and address local needs. This is made possible through the Somerset Partnership and Inclusion Fund. The partners – Somerset County Council, Connexions and 5-a-Day – provide match-funding for the European Social Fund monies which support the programme. The Fund is managed by the European Service on behalf of Somerset County Council. It is good to be able to report back on some of the benefits spreading throughout communities around the county as a result of the awards made to local voluntary bodies by the Fund.
Many good news stories are being told as the project monitoring process gets under way. The ‘ripples’ are spread right around the County as we support successful Global Grants projects with resources such as worker time, websites, transport, publications and other valuable support - eg support to a self-help group for victims of domestic abuse; creation of an accessible website for disabled young people in transition from school to college or possible employment; help with the production of a basic toolkit for helping people with debts.
It is not possible to mention every project - but, focussing on just one local project, the feedback reflects the good work being funded by the partnership. Already this year Avalon Fair Shares, the Glastonbury Community Time Bank scheme supported by Global Grants, has seen 1,360 hours of skills and services exchanged between 150+ local residents to meet local needs. There is no space here to record the ongoing chain of interchanged skills ranging from accounting, basic skills, concert organisation, DIY - through to venue loans, workshops, and yoga! The real impact is the improved self-esteem and confidence of the many participants. A full Project Evaluation Report will be produced when the funding ends in March 2006.
The Partnership Panel continues to meet at the offices of the Community Council, under the expert chairing of David Smith, to consider further applications from the voluntary sector and community and not-for-profit groups, for work aimed at helping people overcome some of the barriers they face in moving towards opportunities in employment, education, training or volunteering. To date £203,000 has been awarded to some 40+ projects, whose leaders will work closely with the County Council throughout the lifespan of their local projects, at the initial contracting stage and later in reviewing and recording progress, through to end-project evaluation. We are pleased to be working closely in this active and productive interchange with our vital voluntary sector.
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