COMMUNITY groups in Oldham are being invited to bid for funding for local projects that aim to make a difference in their communities.
Grants of up to £500 per project are available through the Rapid ROCA (Respect our Community Awards) run by First Choice Homes Oldham and its partners.
To apply, representatives from local community groups are being invited to a drop-in event at the housing association’s offices on Union Street on Tuesday, February 26 between 10am and 7pm.
Vinny Roche, chief executive, said: “First Choice Homes Oldham is always looking for ways to improve lives in Oldham.
“By offering a fund of up to £16,500 we aim to help community groups provide valuable services and support to local people.
“Groups do not have to be linked to one of our housing developments to apply. As long as projects are Oldham based and provide benefits to local residents, they will be eligible.”
At the drop-in event, representatives will be asked to complete an application form outlining the costs of their project, why there is a need for it and what the benefits to the community are.
Ideally groups should have a bank account already but start-up projects that do not have one will not be turned away.
Projects supported in the past include Wood Square Residents’ Association, which was awarded £300 to help run its ‘Wooden Tops’ group, where local people meet daily for a chat, coffee and arts and crafts activities.
Greenfield Cricket Club was also awarded £500 to update their kitchen facilities which had included a 50-year-old oven.
Further information on the grants can be found online at www.fcho.co.uk/rapidroca
Rapid ROCA was established by First Choice Homes Oldham in 2007 and has supported over 250 applications and given out over £430,000.
This year’s £16,500 is available for community group but may not all be allocated at the February event. The awards are allocated to a wide variety of projects but funds are not available for statutory organisations or political groups.