In the six months between April and September this year we have awarded grants to a range of different organisations for a variety of activities and needs. These have included: –
£10,000 to Wilts & Berks Canal Trust to rebuild the old carpenter’s workshop in Pewsham, Chippenham.
The reinstated workshop will be a close representation of the original, providing a wonderful resource for the local community including opportunities to access educational courses, training, volunteering, and providing a meeting space. Educational courses will include, for example, delivering classes in traditional carpentry, using a mix of modern and model tools for those aged 16 and over and providing classes to school children on nature and the environment.
£5,000 to Chippenham Folk Festival towards the free community entertainment at the 2022 festival.
The grant went towards the cost of a stage, covering, public address system and artists to put on community events aimed at the public, to provide them with entertainment, awareness of folk-based activities and the chance to get involved. It also acted as a showcase for local artists/organisations.
£1,615 to Alzheimer’s Support for a new Dementia Arts Group in Chippenham
The grant enabled Alzheimer’s Support to start a new regular group where people living with dementia and a family carer can take part in a wide variety of art projects guided by a professional artist. The new group gives local people living with dementia, and their families, a fantastic opportunity to undertake artistic activities designed to benefit both the body and mind in a friendly, safe, and supportive environment. Find out more about the group here.
£500 to Chippenham Film Club to support the start-up costs of this new Chippenham community club
The Chippenham Film Club seeks to bring people together to enjoy the shared experience of cinema and the chance to collectively watch films not normally seen on the big screen in Chippenham. Our grant funding enabled the new club to set up a website to provide information about the club and film events. We also provided a new logo and visuals including a poster to advertise the club. Find out more here.
£10,390 to Relate Wiltshire and Somerset to provide Time to Talk, a counselling service, in six primary schools in Chippenham
Time to Talk offers short- term counselling for children who are troubled by emotional difficulties such as family breakdown, conflict, peer relationships, anxiety, anger or bereavement.
£800 to Read Easy Melksham towards coaching adults in Chippenham to learn to read
The grant enabled Read Easy Melksham to provide specialised reading and literacy materials and to train volunteer coaches to provide weekly reading sessions in Chippenham. Read Easy has recently had a greater demand from adults in the Chippenham area wishing to learn reading skills to improve their education, opportunities and to lead more enjoyable lives. Find out more here.
£500 to The Hub of Creative Arts Therapists to develop and perform an interactive dance performance for adults attending the Chippenham Day Centre.
The Hub of Creative Arts Therapists has extensive experience of working with older people and composed a tailor-made piece of interactive dance and movement with many colourful props to encourage audience participation. A simple story structure with familiar themes and songs which created the opportunity for the audience to join in and connect with a part of themselves that may have been forgotten.
£2,419.84 to the Youth Adventure Trust to support vulnerable young people from Chippenham on their Youth Adventure Programme Coastal Camp
The Coastal Camp took place over the May/June half-term holidays with two camps of around 40 young people each. While on the camp, they slept in bell tents and tried out different activities, which included kayaking, canoeing, coasteering, raft building and stand-up paddle-boarding. The benefits to the young people include an increase in confidence and self-belief, resilience, interpersonal and communication skills. Find out more here.
£2,500 Funding to St Peter’s Church to support the weekly distribution of food parcels
To support the delivery of food parcels to Chippenham households by volunteers. 20 volunteers give 40 shifts weekly to collect store surplus, buy nutrition and food supplements, prepare bags, and then deliver the same day to doorsteps.
£600 to Sheldon Methodist Church towards summer activities and trips for disadvantaged young people from Chippenham with HEALS of Malmesbury
The summer activities included arts, sports, conservation events, day trips with picnics and barbecues.
£5389 to Abbeyfield School towards counselling sessions and pastoral support students in conjunction with The Rise Trust and Relate Wiltshire and Somerset
The award is going towards funding professional counselling and mentoring support services for pupils in the school.
£1500 to Chippenham Hospital Radio for their PPL license, News Service and insurance costs
The funding was spent on three of the largest financial outgoings the radio station has each year. As a broadcaster they are required to have a PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) licence which allows them to play all the music. The money also went towards a news service provided by Sky/Independent Radio News. Chippenham Hospital provide many hours of entertainment and speech content, including the news to hospital patients, staff, and visitors and to the wider community through their listen online service. Find out more here.
£5000 to Redland Primary towards the provision of Eco and Environmental learning days this academic year
The funding will provide on school site experience days, involve pupils in activities to make the school more economically and environmentally sustainable and buy resources to encourage more wildlife onto the site. The children will experience hands on encounters with birds and animals, grow and pick their own produce, sort and recycle their own waste and observe wildlife at close quarters.
£4958.96 to Yesterdays Story CIC for the creation of workshops and performances of “Queen Mary & I”.
Funding was given to not-for-profit company, Yesterday’s Story, for their creation of a community arts project around Queen Mary I. The project will include free school/community workshops and a walk about act. Residents of Chippenham will be able to learn about Queen Mary I, her links with Chippenham’s history and how it has impacted on the town today.
£5000 to Waste Not Want Not towards their Fresh Start scheme for Chippenham residents
The Fresh Start scheme, run by WNWN, is for anybody who is having to rebuild their lives due to extreme circumstances. Fresh Start helps to make an empty property into a home for people in crisis, so when they open the door, they aren’t greeted by an empty space but have the basics on which to start rebuilding their lives. Our funding will be used to help provide furniture and household goods for Chippenham residents in need. Find out more the Fresh Start scheme here.
£2000 to Sheldon Road Methodist Church towards free community meals
Many families and individuals are struggling to make ends meet. The funding goes going towards providing a free 2 course lunch to members of the local community on Saturdays between the 1st October and the 17th December 2022. Open to everyone and run by volunteers. Find out more here.
Grants to Individuals
We have given over £15,000 in funding and support to individuals living in Chippenham during this period. These have included providing funding for the following: –
furniture, mobility scooters, white goods (washing machine, cooker, fridge/freezer), living costs, educational equipment, energy costs, food vouchers, and the payment of Debt Relief Order fees.
Apply for a grant
You can find out more about applying for a grant as an organisation or individual here.