Community First

What is Community First neighbourhood matched fund?

Community First neighbourhood matched fund is an initiative that provides local communities with the means to address their own priorities: It is a matched fund programme, which means that every £1 provided in funding must be matched by a similar amount of in-kind donations (this means donations of cash, services, free products or volunteer time).

Communities themselves will decide upon projects for funding in their area. Bolton at Home has been selected as a panel partner for the programme and you can apply for funding through the staff at your local access point.

To be eligible for funding, projects must meet local priorities that could include ways to improve the environment, bring communities closer together or improve people’s health, wellbeing and welfare.

Bolton at Home has been selected as a panel partner for the programme.  All proposals will be considered by Community First forum groups, which have been set up in each of the wards, with recommended projects going to a Community Development Federation for approval.

Who has been given the funding?

The four following neighbourhoods have been selected to receive Community First funding:

• Farnworth
• Great Lever
• Kearsley
• Tonge with the Haulgh

What can the funding be used for?

Approved grants will be for the benefit of the neighbourhood and will meet the aims and outcomes of Community First, which are below.

The aims:

• Support local projects that improve the quality of life for local people.
• Promote a sense of ownership not only of problems, but of local opportunities and resources too.
• Start more neighbourhood groups and revitalise existing groups.
• Introduce a new approach to funding projects - leveraging time, money and other resources - helping neighbourhoods play a leading role in regenerating their area.

The outcomes:

• Communities being able to help themselves and others.
• Neighbourhood groups that are better able to express their needs and influence decisions made about that community.
• Neighbourhood groups that are better able to take control of resources needed to make a difference, enhancing confidence; capability and partnership.

 How to apply for funding from your local group 

Community First: Tonge and Haulgh

To submit an application for the Tonge and Haulgh area please contact:

Barbara Burton
Project Support Officer
Tonge UCAN centre
Tonge Moor Road
Bolton
BL2 2LE
Tel: 01204 332852
Email: barbara.burton@boltonathome.org.uk

Who is on Tonge with the Haulgh Community First Panel?

See a list of panel members here

What are the local priorites for funding in your ward?
1. Bringing communities together – Community Cohesion
2. Improving the physical environment
3. Improve the health, wellbeing and welfare of all our community

Community First Contact Details: twh.bolton@hotmail.co.uk

Date of Tonge with the Haulgh Community First Panel meetings: 

Year 1 30th May 2012, Year 2 7th November 2012.  Future panel dates to be agreed. 

Panel Away day organised for Wed 23rd January 2013 to develop the Tonge with the Haulgh Community First Plan.

What projects have already been funded?
Successful projects from Year One 

Successful projects from Year Two

Application form Tonge and the Haulgh