Community Fund Supports Community Projects

TAMESIDE Community Safety Partnership’s grant fund has supported a wide and varied range of organisations since it was founded in 2020, issuing many thousands of pounds to community groups.

And there is still time to enter this year with grants of up to £2,000 on offer. The deadline for applications is Friday April 25.

Among the groups that were successful in 2024 are Andrew Street Pond Association (ASPA) from Mossley who were one of eight groups to share £12,680 distributed in Tameside’s east neighbourhood.

They have converted a large natural pond and open green space into a community-use area designed to attract wildlife and so increase biodiversity.

To do that, ASPA have cleared weeds, created rockeries using recycled wood and stone and donated pots, installed bird boxes and a bug hotel, planted wildflowers and fruit trees and even put in a waterfall feature and a small wooden bridge.

All ages have taken part. There are family nature events and the children have built a hibernaculum – a bad weather shelter for small animals. Also, there are plans to invite children from local schools to give them an introduction to nature.

The latest project is beekeeping. Ten volunteers are looking after the hives and it’s hoped ASPA will be able to sell jars of Mossley honey next year, raising more money for the group.

In Hattersley, part of Tameside Council’s south neighbourhood, Ark of Hope – a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering the disadvantaged and underprivileged based at St Barnabas’s Church – received a grant to organise sewing classes.

These help members learn skills that might lead to employment or just to enjoy a hobby that gives them the chance to meet people and make friends.

Cllr Stephen Homer, Tameside Council’s executive member for towns, transport and connectivity, said: “The community fund is a perfect case of the public helping the public. Community meetings in each of our four neighbourhoods make the decision on which groups should receive grants.

“Andrew Street Pond Association and Ark of Hope are fine examples of the way the fund supports residents from across Tameside in creating a better and safer borough, and how the grants that are awarded are put to very good use.”

This year, grants of up to £2,000 are again on offer to non-profit constituted community organisations, charities and community-interest companies (CICs) that work to reduce harmful behaviour, improve environmental resilience and challenges, or empower communities.

Groups must apply by Friday April 25. Those whose applications are accepted will be asked to attend one of four neighbourhood events where the audience decides which schemes should receive funding. Projects must be completed by 31 March, 2026.

For further information and to apply visit www.actiontogether.org.uk/tameside-communities-fund-2025-tmbc Or email sue.moorcroft@tameside.gov.uk or sharron.power@tameside.gov.uk (community safety partnership officers).