Bridging The Gap - Grant Awards Celebration

Representatives from 25 community and voluntary groups that have benefited from a total of £139,280 Bridging the Gap funding over the past year were invited to a special Grant Awards Celebration at Eastry Village Hall on Wednesday (15 April).

The Community Development team at Dover District Council organised the event for groups that have received Bridging the Gap grant funding. This is a Coalfield Regeneration Trust funding initiative administered in partnership with DDC working with the local community. Funding was given for a wide variety of different projects for the coalfields community, from cultural and educational (music festivals, arts projects), to sports (football, cricket, rowing, bowls), health and environment (citizenship projects, support groups), refurbishment (village halls, community church halls and Miners Welfare clubs), children and young people's activities.

Applicants have received practical advice and assistance at every step of the funding process, with one-to-one advice sessions, together with group presentations and workshops. This has led to individuals and groups gaining confidence in the bid-making process and approaching larger funders for more ambitious projects.

Cllr Mrs Julie Rook, DDC Cabinet Member for Community, Citizenship, Youth and Sport said: "The evening was a real success. This was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the many achievements of volunteers in our community who have benefited from the Coalfield Regeneration Trust's Bridging the Gap funding, and the hard work of our Community Development team."

For more information, contact Kirsty Holroyd, Regeneration Officer (Small Projects) at Dover District Council on 01304 872066.