Bristol Libraries has launched a new fund to help community groups develop innovative ideas for their local library.

The Library Innovation Fund was launched at the Citywide Friends’ Group Meeting last night, and will see just over £100,000 split between the city’s 27 libraries.

The fund will enable communities to lead on putting the ideas they have about their local library and the library building into action.

To celebrate British Science Week (6-15 March 2020), grants of up to £1,000 will be available for community groups that work directly with traditionally underrepresented people or communities who are not currently involved in science activities.

Funding has been made available from the British Science Association, which runs British Science Week, and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Underrepresented people or communities include:

NHS England has community grants of up to £2,500 available for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations with projects that celebrate patient and public involvement in healthcare. This can include service user involvement, carers and citizens.

Your project must show good practice around people's involvement, with the aim of improving health services overall. Partnerships can apply, but the lead group must be a VCSE organisation.

Voscur members have had a busy summer campaigning and collaborating, and autumn looks just as exciting.

The Continuation Fund from St. Monica Trust is open for applications from organisations in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, BANES or North Somerset that help people aged 55 and over.

Funding is for continuing projects, rather than new projects, that have already been running successfully for the past two years. The aim of the funding is to increase sustainability and help local causes that can make an impact, by supporting their ongoing work. 

In a sample of 296 charities’ accounts, the Charity Commission found that 46% failed to meet the benchmark of auditing standards.

Bristol City Council is holding information sessions for its arts and culture Originators Fund – the annual funding stream managed by the Arts & Events team.

The sessions will take place on 16th September 2019 at Mshed, Bristol and will launch Originators Funding for 2020-21.

The Community Business Bright Ideas Fund is now open for new community groups, registered charities and CICs in England that want to become a business or are already operating as a business. Small grants of up to £15,000 are provided by Power to Change; 150 community businesses have been awarded funding since 2016.

Examples of previously funded businesses include: