South East
(Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, East and West Sussex, Surrey)
This regional information includes regional offices of funding bodies, government and agencies. They all have a role which involves the Voluntary and Community Sector. Some offer direct funding. Some act as a coordinating body for provision of regional and local services. Some merely offer help and advice to those providing services. Not all of these will offer funding at any particular time.
There are regional pages for each England region. Where possible regional information is given on each of these pages. Where regional information is complex links are given to websites which can provide information and contacts relevant to your area.
Help and advice in your region
Local Infrastructure Organisation (LIO)
LIOs (Council for Voluntary Service, Voluntary Action, Community Action) give help and support to the Voluntary and Community Sector in local areas of the UK. Most areas are covered by their services. The level of service each LIO offers varies but they will be able to either help you themselves with local funding advice or direct you to services in your area that can help you.
To contact your local LIO go to the NAVCA website http://www.navca.org.uk/liodir/ to find their details. Your local LIO or Council will be able tell you how you can find out about grants from local trusts, your local council and other local sources.
Sources of funding
Below are details of regional funding including Regional Government agencies, Lottery and other National Funder's Regional Offices as well as funders based in the Region.
Rural Community Councils
Rural Community Councils (RCCs) are county based charities working to improve the quality of life of local communities and particularly disadvantaged people in rural England. The Countryside Agency funds each RCC to provide direct support and advice to rural communities and organisations.
The Countryside Agency provides funding to each RCC through an annual service level agreement. With this support, RCCs can offer rural communities:
- sources of local funding and advice on how to put together funding bids, including how to bid for Countryside Agency grant programmes such as Vital Villages, Doorstep Greens and the Local Heritage Initiative
- support and advice for village hall committees
- their expertise and practical support to develop community capacity
- help to strengthen parish councils
- share good practice about what other local community successes and activities
Rural Community Councils in the region are:
Community Council for Berkshire
Epping House
55 Russell Street
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 7XG
Tel:0118 9612000
Fax:0118 9612600
Website: www.communityberkshire.co.ukBuckinghamshire Community Action
Unit B, The Firs
Bierton
Aylesbury
Bucks
HP22 5DX
Tel:01296 421036
Fax:01296 330721
Website: www.bucks-comm-action.org.ukCommunity Action Hampshire
Beaconsfield House
Andover Road
Winchester
Hampshire
SO22 6AT
Tel:01962 854971
Fax:01962 841160
Website: http://action.hants.org.ukIsle of Wight Rural Community Council
3 Langley Court
Pyle Street
Newport
Isle of Wight
PO30 1LA
Tel:01983 524058
Fax:01983 526905Kent Rural Community Council
15 Manor Road
Folkestone
Kent
CT20 2AH
Tel:01303 85086
Website: www.ruralkent.org.ukOxfordshire Rural Community Council
Jericho Farm
Worton
Witney
Oxon
OX29 4SZ
Tel:01865 883488
Fax:01865 883191
Website: www.oxonrcc.org.ukAction in Rural Sussex
Sussex House
212 High Street
Lewes
Sussex
BN7 2NH
Tel:01273 473422
Fax:01273 483109
Website: www.ruralsussex.org.ukSurrey Community Action
Astolat
Coniers Way
New Inn Lane
Burpham
Guildford
GU4 7HL
Tel: 01483 566072 Fax 01483 440508
Email: info@surreyca.org.uk
Website: www.surreyca.org.uk
Website: www.countryside.gov.uk/VitalVillages/social_capital/rcc_contacts.asp
Community Foundations
Community Foundations are charitable trusts that support local community causes. Their role is to manage donor funds and build endowment as well as make grants to charities and community groups, linking local donors with local needs. Created by and for local people they help donors express their long-term interest in an area and its needs. Community foundations have been active in the UK since the 1980s and a rapidly growing network of approximately 60 foundations is now established across the country. About 90% of the UK population has access to a community foundation.
To find your local Community Foundation go to the Community Foundations Network Website: www.communityfoundations.org.uk
Community Foundation Network
Arena House
66-68 Pentonville Road
London
N1 9HS
Tel: 020 7713 9326
Fax: 020 7713 9327
Email: network@communityfoundations.org.uk
Government
Local Government
Your Local Authority (Council) will have funds for the Voluntary and Community Sector. This funding is often in small pots within different departments. They may not have a complete picture of what is available and it is best to ask for help within a particular department. Key departments that often have responsibility for funds are Culture & Leisure, Education, Environment, Health & Social Care, Housing, Regeneration.
You can find the Local Authority for you area at Website: www.direct.gov.uk/Dl1/Directories/LocalCouncils/fs/en You will find contact address, phone numbers and links to their Website.
Similarly there are often small pots of funds for the Voluntary and Community Sector held by Town Councils and Parish Councils.
Town Councils
You can also find your town council at Website: www.direct.gov.uk/Dl1/Directories/LocalCouncils/fs/en You will find contact address and phone numbers and links to their Website.
Parish Councils
Parish councils are listed by Tagish at Website: www.tagish.co.uk/tagish/links/parish.htm
Some Parish Councils have Websites. They may be listed at: www.parish-council.com/fulllist.asp or search using Google Website: www.google.co.uk
Local Authorities often have funding advisors or community workers to help you who will know more about the funding available. You can also get help to find local government funding from your LIO (see above).
Local Government is buying in more of its services from the Voluntary and Community Sector under contract.
The Local Compact
The Compact is the agreement between government and the voluntary and community sector in England to improve their relationship for mutual advantage.
By building better relationships the Compact can help government and the voluntary and community sector work better together for the communities they serve.
Local Compacts are being drawn up for dealings between local and regional government and the voluntary sector. These can be downloaded from the regional pages of the Compact Website:
http://www.thecompact.org.uk/information/100024/regions/
Change Up
From the outset the regional ChangeUp programme has been managed through the nine Government Offices in England. These have devolved the management of aspects of the programme to various local VCS agencies. From April 2006 management of the programme will be through the new Capacity Builders Agency, led by sector expertise.
See Website: http://www.changeup.org.uk/regions/index.asp and contact your regional Government Office for further information (see below).
Government Office for the South East
The Government Office represents Central Government in the region; it also feeds back the region's views to Whitehall.
They aim to work with regional partners and local people to increase the prosperity of the region, promote sustainable development and tackle social exclusion.
They will be able to put you into contact with those agencies which deal with local European funding schemes such as Global Grants and Co-Financing and Government funding such as Community Champions, Community Learning Chests and Neighbourhood Renewal Community Chests. (See also www.governmentfunding.org.uk )
Government Office for the South East
Bridge House
1 Walnut Tree Close
Guildford
GU1 4GA
Public Enquiry Line Tel: 01483 882255
Email from website.
Part of their work is to co-ordinate funding from the European Community. Contact them European Funding Team at address above
Tel: 01483 884840
Email: european.gose@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.go-se.gov.uk/
Their website provides links to many other agencies serving the South East.
Global Grants
Global Grants is money that comes from both local and district partnerships and European Social Funds. Global Grants will help people in the target groups to increase their confidence, motivation and skills and have a better chance of getting work.
To find out more about Global Grants in your region contact your regional Government Office.
South East England Development Agency (SEEDA)
SEEDA is the Government funded agency set up in 1999 responsible for the economic and social development of the South East of England - the driving force of the UK 's economy.
SEEDA Headquarters
Cross Lanes
Guildford
GU1 1YA
Tel: 01483 484200
Fax: 01483 484247
Email: seeda@seeda.co.ukSEEDA Chatham Maritime
The Observatory
Brunel
Chatham Maritime
Kent
ME4 4NT
Tel: 01634 899900
Fax: 01634 899901
Email: seeda@seeda.co.uk
Website: www.seeda.co.uk
Social, Health, Education, Training and Employment
Connexions
Connexions is the government's support service for all young people aged 13 to 19 in England.
Connexions brings together all the services and support young people need during their teenage years offering differentiated and integrated support to young people through Personal Advisers (PAs). For some young people this may be just for careers advice, for others it may involve more in-depth support to help identify barriers to learning and find solutions brokering access to more specialist support, eg drug abuse, sexual health and homelessness. PAs work in a range of settings including schools, colleges, one-stop shops community centres and on an out-reach basis.
Connexions is delivered through a range of local partnership arrangements based either on Local Authority boundaries or Learning and Skills Council (LSC) boundaries. Funding is through a grant from the Secretary of State for Education and Skills.
You can find details of your local partnership at
Website: http://www.connexions-direct.com/index.cfm?go=localServices
SureStart
Sure Start is a Government programme which aims to achieve better outcomes for children, parents and communities by:
- increasing the availability of childcare for all children
- improving health and emotional development for young children
- supporting parents as parents and in their aspirations towards employment
They will achieve our aims by:
- helping services development in disadvantaged areas alongside financial help for parents to afford childcare
- rolling out the principles driving the Sure Start approach to all services for children and parents.
Regional and local services are dealt with by regional Government Offices and Local Education Authorities.
Sure Start Unit
Department for Education and Skills and Department for Work and Pensions
Level 2
Caxton House
Tothill Street
London
SW1H 9NA
Public Enquiry Unit Tel: 0870 0002288
Email: info.surestart@dfes.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.surestart.gov.uk/surestartservices/
Children's Fund
The Children's Fund was launched in November 2000 as part of the Government's commitment to tackle disadvantage among children and young people. The programme aims to identify at an early stage children and young people at risk of social exclusion, and make sure they receive the help and support they need to achieve their potential.
The Children's Fund provides a responsive approach to developing services that address the difficulties faced by some children and their families. It encourages voluntary organisations, community and faith groups to work in partnership with local statutory agencies, and children, young people and their families, to deliver high-quality preventative services to meet the needs of communities.
To find out about the Children's Fund partnership in your area contact your regional Government Office or Local Authority.
More information is on Website: www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/strategy/childrensfund/
Health and Safety Commission
The Health and Safety Commission is responsible for health and safety regulation in Great Britain. Regional Offices can be found at website: www.hse.gov.uk/contact/maps/index.htm
HSE Infoline Tel: 0845 345 0055
Website: www.hse.gov.uk
The Local Network Fund for Children and Young People (ending)
The Local Network Fund for Children and Young People was a DfES programme which supported small voluntary and community groups to improve outcomes and opportunities for vulnerable children and young people aged 0-19.
No new applications are now being accepted and all existing funded schemes must be completed and reported on by March 2008 when the scheme closes.
Local community groups who have questions can contact the National Call Centre Tel: 0845 113 0161 (RNID type talk number Tel: 18001 0845 113 0161). Calls are charged at the local rate. To find the body managing the Local Network Fund in your area contact the National Call Centre (above).
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC)
The LSC exists to make England better skilled and more competitive. They have a single goal: to improve the skills of England's young people and adults to make sure England has a workforce that is of world-class standards.
The LSC set out a strategy (the Working Together strategy) in 2004 that it intended to adopt with its partners in the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS). Click here to download the implementation plan for this strategy.
For more information look at their Website: www.lsc.gov.uk/
Click here to download document containing list of local contacts. Local news and information is at Website: http://www.lsc.gov.uk/selectlsc.asp?section=/Partners
Primary Care Trusts (PCTs)
The main function of a PCT is to provide health services locally by integrating primary, secondary and community health services and social services.
PCTs commission general and acute services, invest in primary and community care and work to improve the health of the local population in partnership with local borough councils and others.
Trusts hold contracts with Personal Medial Services, (PMS), providers to provide a wide range of primary and community services to the general public.
To find your local PCT look at website: http://pctdirectory.com/ and for more information use the National Health Service website: http://www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/Pages/PrimaryCareTrustListing.aspx
Local Education Authorities (LEAs)
Local Education Authorities oversee education services in Local Authority areas. There is a trend for for services to schools and colleges to become their own responsibility. Funding for these is more often being directed through schools and colleges themselves. If you wish to provide a service related to education you may have to negotiate that with each school or college.
Schools and colleges will be listed on your local authority Website (see above).
You can find details of your LEA at Website: www.dfes.gov.uk/localauthorities/index.cfm?action=authority
Environment and Heritage
English Heritage and other environment and heritage agencies can be found in the national Government and Statutory pages.
Arts
Arts Council of England - South East
Arts Council England is the national development agency for the arts in England, distributing public money from Government and the National Lottery.
Arts Council England South East
Sovereign House
Church Street
Brighton
BN1 1RA
Tel: 0845 300 6200
Fax: 0870 242 1257
Textphone: 01273 710659
For all funding and general enquiries, please call 0845 300 6200 (local rate)
Website: www.arts.org.uk/regions/homepage.php?rid=6
Sport
Sport England in the South East
Sport England in the South East is committed to creating opportunities for people in the South East region to start in sport, stay in sport and succeed in sport.
They are committed to the national vision: making England an active and successful sporting nation.
Sport England provides the strategic lead for sport in England, and is responsible for delivering the Government's sporting objectives.
Sport England in the South East
51a Church Street
Caversham
Reading
RG4 8AX
Tel: 08458 508508
Fax: 0118 947 5935
Website: www.sportengland.org/southeast_index.htm
Lottery
Sport England and Arts Council England details are above.
Other Regional Lottery contacts
Big Lottery Fund
The Big Lottery Fund has offices in the nine England Regions, staffed by a team who work with those who have a key interest in making sure our money goes to the people and areas that need it most. Their regional staff offer outreach services to potential grant applicants by organising funding advice events and holding before you apply sessions.
Contact the Big Advice Line for further details of events happening in your region Tel: 0845 4 102030 Each regional office has its own enquiries line.
Big Lottery Fund
3rd Floor
Dominion House
Woodbridge Road
Guildford
Surrey
GU1 4BN
Tel: 01483 462900
Fax: 01483 569764
Textphone: 01483 568764
Email: enquiries.se@biglotteryfund.org.uk
Website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Awards for All - South East
Awards for All is a grants programme set up up to help small groups. It is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Arts Councils, the Sport Councils, and the Big Lottery Fund. The main aim of the programme is to fund projects which involve people in their community; bringing them together to enjoy arts, sports, heritage and other community activities. Sometimes quite small sums of money can have a big impact. The range of grants is £300 to a maximum grant size is £10,000.
A range of not for profit organisations (including parish or town councils, schools or health bodies) can apply for Awards for All grants via a straightforward application process and most applicants will be advised within eight weeks if they have been successful.
In England Regional Big Lottery Fund offices are no longer responsible for Awards for All. Actual applications from the South of England are dealt with from their Birmingham office and applications from the North of England by their Newcastle office.
All enquiries are dealt with centrally and you will be given contact information re specific applications once your application has been made.
There are Regional criteria which will still apply. In the past these have been listed on regional pages on the Awards for All website. These criteria have now been settled for a longer period and are included in the guidance notes to be used with application forms both downloadable from their website. Do check the Regional and National Criteria before applying. Regional help is now available on the helpline, not from the regional offices.
For examples of funded work or to find out more about Awards for All grants, who is eligible to apply and how to submit your application, log onto Website: www.awardsforall.org.uk or Tel: 0845 600 2040.
Heritage Lottery Fund
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) enables communities to celebrate, look after and learn more about our diverse heritage. From museums and historic buildings to parks and nature reserves to celebrating traditions, customs and history.
7 Holbein Place
London
SW1W 8NR
Tel: 020 7591 6171
Email: southeastengland@hlf.org.uk
Website: www.hlf.org.uk/English/InYourArea/SouthEastEngland/
Lottery Funding
Lottery Funding is a joint website run by all Lottery funders in the UK. This site allows you to search information on current funding programmes across the UK. The funding search will help you to find the funding programmes that best match your project. It will search programmes offered by Lottery funders that are currently open to applications. The funding search will take you through a series of four questions about: the location of your project; about you as an applicant; about the project itself; and about the amount of money you are applying for.
Tel: 0845 275 0000
Website: www.lotteryfunding.org.uk
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