We believe that local communities have great ideas on how to improve people’s health and well-being and in so doing make their community a better place to live. To turn ideas into reality, a small amount of cash is often all that is needed. Staff, patients and volunteers at Bridgewater want to put something back into the communities in which they live and work. We do our own fund raising activities to create a Trust Fund that can help provide essential resources to help turn your project idea into reality.
Who can apply?
The Fund is open to community groups, voluntary and other not for profit organisations with charitable objectives based in one of the following areas: Ashton, Leigh and Wigan, Halton and St Helens, Warrington, Bolton, Tameside, Trafford, Glossop, Stockport and Western Cheshire.
For the first round of the programme grants of up to £250 are available. Groups need to have a management committee and a constitution or set of rules. More informal or new groups can apply but all applicants must have their own bank account or be able to use the account of another organisation (funds cannot be paid to individuals). As the fund grows Bridge Builder will increase the maximum amount available.
What do we fund?
The Fund will support applications from a wide range of voluntary and community organisations. The Fund will give preference to those smaller organisations who may find it harder to access funds from elsewhere due to a lack of resources or experience.
Applications must be for projects which will have a positive impact on the health and well-being of the people who take part, or the wider community. Your project does not need to be a sporting activity, but can be for any type of activity that would improve people’s mental or physical health.
For this first round we want to award grants to projects that will be able to demonstrate an immediate impact. We want to be able to publicise the work of your organisation and show the benefits of small amounts of funding, which will help us attract further donations.
Examples of projects we will consider include:
What we won’t fund
The Fund is unable to support the following:
What type of grants do we give?
The Fund will support costs which are directly related to delivering the specific project you are applying for. This includes:
Please note that the Fund does not make contributions towards larger projects where the grant awarded does not cover the majority of costs.
Equal opportunities
It is important to us that we consider everyone’s needs when we look at applications, especially the needs of those who often miss out. Some of these groups include people from black and minority ethnic groups, women, lesbians and gay men and disabled people. You will need to explain how you make sure your activity is open and fair to everybody. Examples of this could be having your own equal opportunities policy or statement which you make people aware of, or ensuring activities take place in venues which are accessible to those with disabilities.
Documents which need to be included with your application:
1. A copy of the group’s rules or constitution
