Grants scheme launched to support Home Office placed asylum seekers in West Northants

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The Home Office has a statutory duty to provide accommodation for those seeking asylum. In 2022 three locations within the area of West Northamptonshire Council were selected by the Home Office for this purpose. The Home Office has made funding available to the Council to provide some additional support for those seeking asylum. This is in addition to that provided by the Home Office, which is for immediate housing and welfare needs, provided under Home Office contract with approved private sector providers who manage the accommodation and any immediate welfare support.

Grants of up to £10,000 are available for Voluntary and Community Sector organisations who have identified projects, either new or existing, that will provide:

  • additional support projects and services to these asylum seekers.
  • projects and services that will productively and consensually occupy these asylum seekers whilst they are awaiting a decision from the Home Office.
  • projects and services that will reduce social isolation because of not being granted permission to work and being housed in rural areas.

Registered charities, voluntary or community groups, constitutionalised clubs, and not-for profit organisations can submit an expression of interest form to West Northants Council (WNC) outlining their project to be considered for the funding.

Find more information and view the full criteria for applications on the WNC website and in the Council’s Community Funding Grants Framework.

If you would like to speak to the Community Funding Grants Team about your project or your eligibility to apply for this grant then email: communitygrants@westnorthants.gov.uk including your contact telephone number.

The deadline for application form submission is 31/10/2023.

New grants scheme launched to create volunteering opportunities in West Northamptonshire

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West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has launched a new grants scheme which aims to create additional volunteering opportunities following funding from Central Government via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). Grants from £100 to £1,500 are available for Voluntary and Community Sector projects to address a local community need and support the Council’s vision to make West Northamptonshire a great place to live, work, visit and thrive.

 

The funding is available for new or existing projects or services in West Northamptonshire which create additional volunteering opportunities. This can be for one-off events or an extended number of times such as weekly, monthly, or as and when required. Registered charities, voluntary or community groups, constitutionalised clubs, or not-for profit organisations which operate within the geographical area of West Northamptonshire Council and meet the needs of local residents are invited to submit an expression of interest form.

 

Cllr David Smith, WNC’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Engagement, and Regulatory Services, said:

 

The Voluntary and Community Sector are often the unsung heroes who provide vital services to our communities, and we’re delighted to be able to offer the opportunity to apply for this fund. These grants will enable organisations to recruit new volunteers and continue their valuable work. So, if you fit the criteria, fill out an expression of interest form or make contact our Grants Team to find out more.

 

Further information and the full criteria for applications can be found on the WNC website and in the Council’s Community Funding Grants Framework. If you would like to speak to the Community Funding Grants Team about your project or your eligibility to apply for this grant please Email: communitygrants@westnorthants.gov.uk including your contact telephone number.

VCSE groups are invited to submit an interest in concessionary property.

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Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations are invited to submit expressions of interest for Council owned property available for VCS use at concessionary rates.

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) owns a portfolio of approximately 1,000 properties that are managed and maintained by WNC’s Assets & Environment team. Most of this portfolio are operational buildings such as Council office buildings, schools, care homes and libraries, which provide facilities enabling the Council to deliver and provide essential services to the residents of West Northamptonshire. Others are let commercially to provide space for businesses and income to support Council services.

However, also included within this portfolio are properties which may be suitable for VCS organisations including registered charities, voluntary and community groups, not-for-profit organisations, social enterprise, and faith groups. These are available at concessionary rates, for either short or longer-term use, depending on the situation.

The Council publishes the list of ‘Available Property’ on its website, normally on a quarterly basis. Expressions of interest may be submitted and are considered normally at the end of each quarter. All expressions of interest are judged on compliance with the policy and on community benefit. If more than one VCS organisation makes a compliant request to use a property, the one offering the best credible community benefits will be preferred.

Other property available to let or buy from the Council is also listed on the website, but unless reclassified would be let or sold on commercial terms only.

VCS groups can view the full property list, policy document, and submit an expression of interest form on the Estates Management webpage. Before submitting an expression of interest, VCS groups are strongly advised to carefully read the policy and ensure they address all the points within it.

Supporting the Residents of HMP 5 Wells to fundraise

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Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire has been working at HMP 5 wells for over 12 months now, supporting the residents to engage in health and wellbeing activities which provide them with a stimulus to think about life after detention, back within their local community and how they can take a full and active part in that. Our Project Worker has been building relationships with residents, and over the past year has run a series of events and showcases which residents have fully engaged in. Some of those residents now wish to fundraise for a truly worthy cause. The story behind the fundraising is highlighted here: Fundraiser for Kimberley Wileman by Hannah Dugdale : Rally for Hallie (gofundme.com)

It’s a truly sad story which hopefully will have a bright and happy ending – so if you want to help why not donate.

 

Consultation on the closing of a Town Centre crime hotspot

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The views of residents, community organisations and businesses are being sought following a proposal to temporarily close a Northampton Town Centre walkway which has become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour and crime.

Emporium Way is located off Northampton Market square and provides shortcuts to Sheep Street and the nearby Mayor hold and Newlands carparks.

However, in recent months the walkway has attracted illicit activities including loitering, urination, muggings, fighting and drug dealing.

To tackle these behaviours, West Northamptonshire Council (or WNC) is proposing to make a Public Spaces Protection Order to close the public highway temporarily, using its powers under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

This order is subject to consultation which opens on the 23rd of August 2023 and will last for a 6-week period. Anyone who wishes to share their thoughts can do so using the Councils Consultation Hub at:

Public Spaces Protection Order consultation for Emporium Way Northampton – West Northamptonshire Council – Citizen Space

Grants scheme launched to mitigate youth violence and knife crime in West Northants

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West Northamptonshire Council (WNC), in partnership with the Northamptonshire Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (OPFCC) has launched a new grants scheme to mitigate youth violence and knife crime in West Northants.

Grants of up to £10,000 are available for Voluntary and Community Sector organisations who have identified projects, either new or existing, that aim to alleviate youth violence and knife crime in local communities.

These projects can be prevention or intervention projects, including projects that promote community safety, deter potential offenders, or provide support and resources to at-risk individuals or groups to prevent their involvement in violence and crime.

Registered charities, voluntary or community groups, constitutionalised clubs that engage with young people, and not-for-profit organisations can submit an expression of interest form to WNC outlining their project to be considered for the funding.

Cllr David Smith, WNC’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Engagement, and Regulatory Services, said:

We want to make West Northamptonshire a safer place for everyone and working in partnership with other organisations and community groups is crucial to achieving this.

This funding will enable these organisations to continue their valuable work with young people while enabling local people to become actively involved in developing solutions to protect and improve our communities.

Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Stephen Mold, said:

Tackling youth violence and knife crime at the earliest stage is something that can only be achieved by all the agencies working together, and local community groups.

Communities are often best placed to make a difference and understand how best to prevent crime and support young people in their area, and I am certain that investing in these groups will be a powerful tool in tackling violence.

Find more information and view the full criteria for applications on the WNC website and in the Council’s Community Funding Grants Framework.

If you would like to speak to the Community Funding Grants Team about your project or your eligibility to apply for this grant, email: communitygrants@westnorthants.gov.uk including your contact telephone number, as a telephone conversation can sometimes clarify a question more efficiently.

NHS Volunteer Responder Programme

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The NHS Volunteer Responder Programme started life during the COVID Pandemic, where thousands of community volunteers responded to an NHS call to support vulnerable people. The programme was co-ordinated by the NHS and the RVS, largely through the Good Sam digital platform. The NHS are now looking to expand this programme into Social Care. Information on this Programme can be found here.

The Presentation shows the Responder Programme Journey and highlights its successes and insights.

The VIN CEO states:

Whilst I think everybody welcomes and values the importance of volunteers within our communities, I do feel there is a genuine worry or fear that volunteers within Social Care could be seen as a direct replacement for paid professional staff in times future, which would be totally unacceptable to many. Providing a balance is kept between paid staff and the added value that volunteers can bring, I welcome this programme and will be watching its roll out carefully.

 

Kings Heath New Community Centre-Opportunity

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Within Kings Heath, WNC is currently redeveloping a unit to be used as a community centre for the local community. At this time, we would like to invite interested parties to send in a scoping business case, stating their interest in the building and how you would use the space for the benefit for the community.

The  KH Scoping Document, highlights the background of the area, plus the full details of what is required within the business case proposal. 

Please note. At this time, we are only looking for proposals, not only stating you interest in the building, but how you would use it. At a later date, when the building works are near completion, we will approach the interested parties to progress to the next stage of applying to take over the unit. More details will follow at this time.

Deadline for submission is Friday the 22nd September at midday. For any question and for further details please email both Jamie Wells at Forums.NBC@westnorthants.gov.uk

Integrated Care Northamptonshire – Engagement Insight Library

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Working in partnership with our county’s emerging Community and Health and Wellbeing Forums, we have co-produced the Integrated Care Northamptonshire Engagement Insight Library  – a central hub for engagement insights from across ICN partners and our communities.

Working in partnership with our county’s emerging Community and Health and

Wellbeing Forums, we have co-produced the Integrated Care Northamptonshire

Engagement Insight Library  – a central hub for engagement insights from across ICN

The Engagement Insight Library is a single point of contact and has become an essential resource with the following key aims, developed through co-production:

  • Support collaboration between organisations around gathering insight, enabling links to be made between individuals/organisations who are working on the same area, or are wanting the answers to the same questions. Making the best possible use of Support collaboration between organisations around gathering insight, enabling links to be made between individuals/organisations who are working on the same area, or are wanting the answers to the same questions. Making the best possible use of available resource.
  • Move away from seeing residents as patients or service users towards seeing them as members of local communities with valuable experience and insight to share.
  • Support the use of a variety of methods for gathering insight, moving away from an over-reliance on surveys to methods that nurture and use existing relationships.
  • Collect and organise insight being gathered across the system to make it easily accessible and searchable.

We now have a single place where engagement activity reports from across Northamptonshire can be stored, making them more accessible to partner organisations and our communities.

Sign up to the Library

Submit an engagement report

A new Town Centre Manager for Brackley and Towcester

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A new town centre manager has been appointed to improve the appeal of Brackley and Towcester Town Centres to visitors and businesses.

Samantha Hosking took up her post a month ago and will be the key point of contact working for West Northamptonshire Council in partnership with Brackley Town Council and Towcester Town Council.

Her new role, which is funded as part of a Section 106 financial contribution made by local developers as part of their planning permission, will include establishing relationships with local businesses, the community, and voluntary organisations.

Samantha, who lives locally, will coordinate and lead on a programme of improvements and innovations to revitalise the much-loved towns whilst promoting the areas for investment and business growth and helping the local economy thrive.

She said:

I can’t wait to make a start and meet with residents and businesses. I am very passionate about improving my local area and supporting business sustainability and growth. I want to bring a buzz back to our high streets. These market towns are full of hidden gems with lots of small, independent businesses and I’m confident that by working with the great people who live and work here, we can continue to make these towns thriving places for everyone to enjoy.

Councillor Daniel Lister, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Town Centre Regeneration and Growth said:

We in West Northamptonshire Council have strong ambitions to broaden the attractiveness of the town centres in terms of their wider leisure and commercial appeal and will look to encourage visitors from far and wide by showcasing the fantastic offer available in both town centres. I would like to extend my congratulations on this well-deserved appointment, and I look forward to working closely with Samantha and both Town Councils, whom all share our ambition and drive to deliver economic prosperity.