Frome Vale Grass Roots Grants
Funding for community building in Frome Vale
Bristol Charities and Bristol City Council Community Development Team are delighted to be awarding £5,000 to fund locally led projects that help energize and strengthen the local community in Frome Vale.
There are two different grants available:
£200
£200 – This grant is designed to support local people to try out a small community building idea they might have. This could be anything that brings people together and fosters connection.
Up to £1000
Up to £1000 – This grant is similar to the smaller one but is aimed at supporting larger ideas or expanding on an activity which has already been tried out.
Criteria
Successful ideas for both grants will need to show that they help with community building and wellbeing.
cOMMUNITY bUILDING
Community building creates or improves connections among neighbours or local people who have things in common (e.g. parenting, an interest, being a carer) . Community building activities help to create sense of community, which can lead to increased trust, shared responsibility, and working together on common goals.
All sorts of things can help build community. Ideas could include:
Street Parties ✦ Shared Meals ✦ Mixed Cultural Events ✦ Community Celebrations ✦ Community Picnics ✦ Clothes Swaps ✦ Starting A Club Or Group ✦ Conversation Clubs ✦ Coffee Mornings ✦ Walking Groups ✦ Community Gardens ✦ Community Food Growing ✦ Tree Planting ✦ Skill Sharing ✦ Mutual Support Groups ✦ Litter Picking
Wellbeing
Grassroots Grants should have a positive impact on the wellbeing of people in the Frome Vale community.
One way to think about wellbeing is through the Five Ways to Wellbeing — simple things that help people feel better in their day-to-day lives:
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Connecting – Bringing people together, whether it’s neighbours chatting, groups meeting, or families spending time together.
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Giving – Helping others, sharing time or skills, or simply doing something kind.
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Being Active – Getting people moving, from walking to gardening or dancing.
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Learning – Trying something new, sharing skills, or discovering interests.
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Taking Notice – Helping people slow down and notice what’s around them — nature, each other, or small everyday moments.
You don’t need to cover all of these — just think about how your idea might support one or two in a way that makes sense for Frome Vale.
For the larger grant, you will also need to consider the following Guiding Principles when developing your idea:
iNCLUSION
Inclusion is about deliberately and actively reaching out to include people and communities who are often left out or excluded.
Care of the environment
To consider the impact of your idea on the local environment and people. This could include looking at how you would manage waste, source resources and use energy in the most eco-friendly way.
Resilience
Resilience is the sustained ability of an individual or community to use available resources (energy, communication, transportation, food, etc.) to respond to, withstand, and recover from adverse situations. Boosting resilience means strengthening communities and enhancing their health in a way that will reduce the negative impacts of challenges both present and future.
Who is eligible?
Individuals with a community-focussed project (must be residents of Frome Vale)
Un-constituted or constituted resident-led groups
Businesses or third sector organisations are NOT eligible.
Projects must primarily benefit residents of Frome Vale Ward.
Grants will be awarded by a committee, which comprises of local residents and community workers.
Support we can give you
We can provide support to help you along the way as you to make your idea a reality.
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Administration: we can support you with the entire grant process from filling in the forms to helping you record the finances.
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Communication: we can support any project with posters, flyers, social media, our website and local media
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Capacity: do you need volunteers for your project? We can support you to get the help you need
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Future funding: we may be able to help you to secure future funding to keep your project running longer-term
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Event space: we have space at Vassall Centre which could be the perfect location for your project or event!
I've got an idea, what's next?
Apply Online
You can apply using the online forms and information provided in the resources linked below. Please use the £200 online form for the smaller grant, and the up to £1000 online form for the larger grant.
The grants will be given on a rolling basis until all funding has been allocated. People can apply for a maximum of £1000 towards their idea. You can apply online or can request a physical copy of the application form by emailing jess.garbett@bristolcharities.org.uk.
Meet Us or Apply in Person
If you'd like help developing an idea, you've got more questions, or you'd like to apply in a more informal way, Jess Garbett, the Community Engagement Manager for Bristol Charities, would love to meet you for a cuppa and to go through the application form in person! Please contact jess.garbett@bristolcharities.org.uk to arrange this.
Dan Lewin, Community Development Practitioner at Bristol City Council can also support you with your application, and throughout the whole process. His email is dan.lewin@bristol.gov.uk