The Active Living Programme provides small grants of up to £2,000 to grass roots community groups and local charities that promote and help older people in their community to stay physically and mentally active in later life – but there’s not long left: the deadline to apply is Monday 21 October.

The grants have been made available by the Public Health team at Somerset County Council and the application process is administered by Somerset Community Foundation (SCF).

Kirsty Campbell, Programme Manager at SCF, explains: “Groups and organisations interested in applying should be active in their community, providing and promoting opportunities for older people in Somerset to be more physically active, less isolated and lonely, more independent and better informed of health and wellbeing information and advice.  We especially welcome applications for new and innovative project proposals which could achieve these outcomes, but hurry – there’s not long left to apply!”

Eighteen groups have been awarded grants totalling over £23,000 in the last few months, including local friendship clubs and community centres that provide activities for older people in all areas of the county.  These  are:

• The Friday Club, Curry Rivel
• Beckington and District Day Centre
• Crispin Community Social Group, Street
• Round Window Club, Curry Mallet
• East Brent Mini Day Centre, Highbridge
• Good Fellowship Club, Yeovil
• Henhayes Centre, Crewkerne
• Nether Stowey Wednesday Club
• Newton Road Active Living Friendship Group, Taunton
• North Taunton Partnership
• PACE, Frome
• Sedgemoor Community Partnership, Highbridge
• Stawley Rural Community Active Living Centre, Wellington
• Sunny Gardens, Frome
• Wedmore Tuesday Club
• West Buckland Friendship Club
• WHERE, Wellington
• Wiveliscombe Mini Day Centre

To find out more about the Active Living Programme and how to apply please visit https://www.somersetcf.org.uk/active or call Kirsty Campbell, Programmes Manager at Somerset Community Foundation on 01749 344949.

If you run a local community project and would like to find out more about grant funding in general, please call Somerset Community Foundation on: 01749 344949 or visit: www.somersetcf.org.uk

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Photo Caption: The Henhayes Centre in Crewkerne recently benefitted from a grant from the Active Living Programme

Notes to Editors:

• For more information on this news release please contact Sue Wheeler, Communications Executive on wheeler@somersetcf.org.uk
• For more information about Somerset Community Foundation and current funding available for local charities, please visit http://www.somersetcf.org.uk or call 01749 344949.
• Twitter: @Somerset_CF
• Facebook: facebook.com/SomersetCommunityFoundation
• Somerset Community Foundation has been providing a simpler and more effective way for donors to make a lasting difference in Somerset since 2002. By working together with individuals, families and businesses we increase the impact of local philanthropy, creating more vibrant and inclusive communities in our county. We currently manage over 80 funds for individuals, companies, trusts and public bodies and in 2017/18 we supported over 250 local charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises in our county.