Up to £40k of funding available to improve family life in Stoke-on-Trent

Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Family Matters programme is launching a new micro-grant opportunity to help improve family life in the city.

A total of £40,000 worth of funding is available over a twelve-month period to support  local organisations and individuals who bring their communities together and provide an important and critical service to families in their local community.

The micro-grants will allow the Family Matters programme to better meet the needs expressed through ongoing conversations with families and voluntary, community and faith sector organisations.

The city council has created these micro-grants following ongoing discussions with families and voluntary, community and faith sector organisations. The funding is intended to provide opportunities, advice and tools to improve family life and give children the best start in life.

Micro-grants are small funding pots, usually up to £5001, awarded to individuals and groups for initiatives intended to support community-oriented goals. Grants are available for those who have ideas or are actively engaging with their local communities across Stoke-on-Trent to support and enable better outcomes for families.

Councillor Sarah Hill, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “Supporting family life is one of our key aims and we want to ensure there’s a city-wide response to this. Working with partners and empowering communities is a key part of our strategy to support family life in the city so it’s great to see these micro-grants supporting those aims.

“The four Locally Trusted Organisations have done a fantastic job so far at engaging with local communities and working with them to offer advice and opportunities to families. But we need more organisations and individuals to continue the hard work I know they’re already doing to support family life.

“I’d urge anyone who is already actively engaging with their local communities to apply for some of this pot of money. No organisation is too small, you could be one person who just needs a bit of extra funding to make a huge difference.”

The grants will be aimed at addressing children and family inequalities in the city and will administered by the four Locally Trusted Organisations:

• South East - Alice Charity
• South West – Family Focus
• Central – YMCA North Staffs
• North – Just Family CIC

Heather Sheldon, Chief Executive Officer of Alice Charity said: “This exciting and unique initiative is a commitment to putting local communities in the driving seat for change and Alice are extremely proud to be taking a central role in this

“Over the next 12 months, working closely within communities where innovation is allowed to flourish together, we will see that children, young people and families can, and will, make a huge positive impact on the local community to create a more positive future for us all. Together we create change”

Natalie Ornelas, Chief Executive Officer of Family Focus said: "There’s an age-old saying, ‘It takes a village to raise a child,’ and we frequently overlook the tireless community groups that form that village, providing essential support during critical moments. Family Focus is thrilled to be part of this new initiative through the Family Matters program. This initiative not only allows us to financially support these groups but also fosters collaboration and the creation of a safe community where the children of Stoke-on-Trent can flourish."

Daniel Flynn, Chief Executive of the YMCA said: "YMCA in partnership with Stoke on Trent City Council is delighted to announce the availability of micro-grants for local organisations across Stoke-on-Trent and the surrounding area. These grants aim to enhance support for families within the city, empowering local organisations to expand existing services or introduce new initiatives tailored to the evolving needs of families."

Just Family CIC said: “Just Family CIC’s vision is for every family to live happy, healthy lives with positive relationships and a chance to reach their potential. Just Family CIC are really excited to be a part of this - working in the heart of the local community, connecting and working in partnership with other local organisations to support and enable local families.”

Organisations and individuals who wish to apply need to complete an application form and send to the relevant organisation by email. The first application window will close on 30 November 2024.

For more information on how to apply and to get an application form go to www.stoke.gov.uk/microgrants