As a proud Fusilier Town, we recognise the strong links with our armed forces communities across the Borough and the important role the forces play within the heritage of Bury, as demonstrated through our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.
We also know that there are specific challenges face by Veterans and Cadets in our local communities, including:
- the impact of the current closure of the Drill Hall in Bury
- the legacy of Covid on people’s wellbeing and connections
- ongoing financial and broader social pressures as a result of cost of living impacts
In order to support our local veterans and cadets within our communities, Bury Council has committed £20,000 to specifically support local schemes, based around the priorities that local groups and networks have expressed as being most important, to best meet the needs and improve outcomes for local people.
In particular, the support fund has been established by Bury Council to allow for the establishment or growth of local initiatives that support the following:
- Increasing opportunities for cadets, veterans or both to engage fully in local life in the neighbourhoods that they live
- Opportunities for cadets, veterans or both to connect with each other such as through peer networks
- Initiatives to address barriers to taking part in cadet or veterans related activities
- Mental health and wellbeing provision specifically addressing particular circumstances and the lived experience of veterans
- Schemes which will increase the financial resilience of cadet or veteran households both in terms of immediate hardship provision and longer term resilience, eg increased income from skills development, retraining or improving digital literacy and access to digital resources
- Initiatives which celebrate the role of cadets and veterans within the heritage of Bury, celebrating our past and present to inspire our future
The fund has at its heart the principles of the borough’s ‘Let’s Do It!’ approach, which sets out the ambition for everyone to:
- Play a full part in local communities and connect people to local offers where they live, work or spend time
- Be enterprising and innovative in our approach
- Working together in a way that recognises and celebrates the assets and strengths of our communities and our residents
Who can apply?
Applications are welcome from any community group, local network or voluntary organisations based in or working with veterans or cadet communities or both within the borough of Bury.
This fund is specifically to support cadets and veterans, and as such any group seeking to apply should be able to demonstrate their connection to a group or network if they are not themselves an Armed Forces group. For instance a community organisation providing tailored mental wellbeing support which was submitting a proposal in conjunction with a local veterans group would be eligible.
In keeping with the ‘Let’s Do It’ principles, joint bids bringing community organisations and networks together is strongly encouraged. Bury Voluntary and Community Faith Alliance can help in linking groups seeking to collaborate, as well as provide support on funding and development opportunities. For more information on the Bury VCFA please visit Bury VCFA or email funding@buryvcfa.org.uk.
How much can be applied for?
Each project can apply for a maximum of £2,500. In order to maximise the impact of this funding, please only claim for the level of funding required.
Organisations can submit more than one bid but the maximum value of funding to any one organisation will be capped at £2,500.
What cannot be funded?
- Individual applicants (applicants to this fund must be part of a local community group or voluntary organisation, though projects can themselves target support to individuals or individual households)
- Organisations trading for profit
- Academic research
- If the primary purpose of the request is to promote religious or political beliefs (however faith groups can apply)
- Retrospective grants (i.e., projects or activities that have already taken place or have already been paid for)
Deadline
Applications for funding are to be submitted using the online application form by 10am on Monday 7th August 2023.
For further support with your application please contact funding@buryvcfa.org.uk or call Bury Voluntary and Community Faith Alliance on 0161 518 5550.
Further information
A ‘meet the funder’ session will take place on Microsoft Teams at 6pm on Monday 17th July for any interested groups who have any questions about this fund or to meet others who may be seeking to apply and looking for groups to collaborate with.
Join the Microsoft Teams meeting (6pm on 17th July)
Please note the applications will be considered collectively after this date, it will not be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. A funding panel made up of representatives including the Bury Voluntary & Community Faith Alliance and Cabinet Member(s) of Bury Council, will determine successful applications
Any successful application will be expected to participate in an evaluation of what has been achieved through their project at the end of the funding period, alongside quarterly reporting on expenditure and activity.