Deserving groups get the chance to bid for share of £60,000 grant pot

A £60,000 fund to support community groups in and around Norwich has been announced today.

Mile Cross playscheme has recieved a grant from Comic Relief.PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2017)

And the Evening News has again teamed up with Comic Relief, and the Norfolk Community Foundation, to give deserving groups a chance to get involved and bid for a share of the pot.

Community Cash grants of between £500 and £1,000 have helped with everything from purchasing new equipment to facilitating fun days out in the last few years,

Distributed by Comic Relief - with help from this newspaper - they have been the lifeblood of many groups which would struggle without this help.

Now, as the Red Nose Day fundraising frenzy sweeps the nation and donations for Comic Relief pour in, applications for local groups to benefit in 2017 have opened.

Helping ensure they safety of people in the city centre at night, staff and volunteers from Safe Haven City Response that has received funding from Comic Relief. Photo : Steve Adams (Image: Steve Adams)

Groups which benefitted last time round included Safe Haven, based on Prince of Wales Road, which helps clubland revellers when they could be a little worse for wear.

And the Black Dog Music Project, which aims to improve mental health through music.

Gilly Green, Comic Relief head of UK grants said, 'The Comic Relief Community Cash initiative is extremely important and enables us to help more than a thousand smaller projects all across the UK.

'The grants can be used for a wide variety of needs, from equipment for disability sports clubs, to activities bringing communities together, to specialist training for volunteers providing essential support.

Kathryn Habershon, director of 4Cs Counselling Service, with the laptop they bought with Comic Relief money. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

'We encourage any community group or project who are in need of some extra funding to apply for the grant through their local community foundation.'

Graham Tuttle, from Norfolk Community Foundation, said: 'These small grants really do transform the fortunes of the local organisations they benefit. There are so many groups in Norfolk which are a vital resource for the community and do a massive amount on very little money.

'These new Comic Relief Community Cash grants will provide a welcome boost.'

Over the past few weeks, this newspaper has featured projects which have gained funding in the past:

St Augustines Afternoon Club which benefits from funds from Comic Relief for a couple of outings a year. Organiser Shirley Banester, front right, with member Lynda Lewis, front left, who has written some poems thanking the club. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

• Charity grant means low-cost 4Cs counselling group can expand their service

• Money raised for Comic Relief is having an impact on Norwich's nightlife

• 'A divorce would be easier to go through, and probably cheaper!' - Charity's 30 years of helping parents of children with special educational needs

• Charity grant helped group to continue to raise a song and a smile

The Sing Your Heart Out volunteer-run group who have benefitted from Comic Relief, in full voice. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

• A little money goes a long way for Norwich social group

• 'It's all about getting people out of those four walls' at Norwich music project

• 'It was the first time anyone actually listened to what I had to say' - women praise Norfolk charity which helped them cope with pregnancy loss

• Mile Cross children's group helped by charity grant

EN Community Cash logo 2017. Credit: Archant Graphics Unit/Comic Relief (Image: Archant Graphics Unit/Comic Relief)

• Mental health art group can continue exhibitions thanks to charity grant

• For full details on who would be eligible, examples of the type of activities the money can fund, and instructions how to apply click here. The deadline is 5pm, May 5.

Black Dog Music Project

One group which benefitted from Community Cash funding last year was the Black Dog Music Project, in Norwich.

The group has rocked its way to more members than ever, using music to help improve mental health.

For one member, 31-year-old Gareth Hopkins, it was not just about the music. He said: 'It's a really good project, they do help people and it gives you a sense of purpose - if I wasn't here I'd probably just be in my room.'

Another service user, John Jolley, said he had started coming along for his own wellbeing, but ended up as a volunteer.

Chairman Colin Bain, 77, said Community Cash had allowed them to set up a website, raising much-needed awareness.

He added: 'A lot of the music I can't stand. But my payment is seeing the smiles on their faces.'

As well as learning to play and jamming, members also get the chance to perform live.

Time Norfolk

A £1,000 Community Cash grant meant charity Time Norfolk could continue to support people coping with pregnancy loss across the county.

It meant women like Valerie Waterfield, 38, could access help after she suffered four miscarriages over the space of 10 years.

'They saved my life,' Mrs Waterfield said. 'I tried to take my own life because I felt there was no other way out.'

Mrs Waterfield now volunteers for the charity, which provides free, confidential support to those who have experienced pregnancy loss through miscarriage, termination or still birth.

Ruth Kettle, fundraising and events co-ordinator, said: 'We can say that paid for around 25 face-to-face counselling sessions. On average, people take around eight to 10 sessions so that paid for two or three clients to complete their journey.

'Having money from Comic Relief coming in is a massive thing for us.'