- Turning local ideas into action through crowdfunding and council grants
- Almost £85,000 has been awarded to nine successful projects so far
- Funded by the government’s Community Recovery Fund
New community projects have gone live on the ‘We Are Tamworth’ Spacehive platform, which helps people turn ideas into action through a combination of local donations and funding from Tamworth Borough Council.
Projects which receive support from the community can be boosted by additional funds the council has set aside from the £600,000 awarded to the town from the government’s Community Recovery Fund.
This combined approach makes sure council funding is directed to those projects which have widespread support from local people.
The new live projects are:
Glascote Community Farm and Forest revamp – fundraising goal £1,467
Led by Girlguiding Staffordshire, in partnership with Glascote Academy, this project is seeking £1,467 to revitalise the much-loved community farm and forest to create a safer, more stimulating environment for children and adults.
The funding would pay for materials to create a new sensory zone in a raised bed, an improved camp fire circle, and a planting area.
Glascote Academy’s Community Farm and Forest provides a unique outdoor learning environment where children can connect with nature through hands-on experiences caring for animals and exploring the forest.
It also welcomes a range of community groups, including adults with additional needs and local church groups, offering close encounters with animals and peaceful exploration of a woodland environment.
As a self-funding project, it relies heavily on fundraising and community support.
Inclusive theatre for all children – fundraising goal £8,355
Be Limitless, a new Community Interest Company from Wings Theatre School, has the goal of providing free, inclusive theatre classes to empower children with additional needs and disabilities to develop talents across dance, drama, musical theatre and singing.
The classes aim to bring children from all walks of life together to share experiences while enhancing social skills, building confidence and providing performance opportunities.
The funding would help pay for room hire, a rehearsal residential, lighting and tech, performance licences, show costumes and chaperone licences. Be Limitless plans to work with youngsters to create and deliver a fully inclusive show as well as taking part in community festivals.
A third project to help more than 100 Tamworth volunteers continue their conservation work at five of the town’s nature reserves is also expected to go live imminently from Staffordshire Wildlife Trust.
Once projects demonstrate sufficient community backing, from at least 20 supporters (with a minimum donation of £2 each), they will be eligible for additional pledges from the council through the We Are Tamworth programme. Council funds are transferred once projects hit their stated fundraising targets.
Stephen Gabriel, Chief Executive of Tamworth Borough Council, said: “This is a brilliant example of the council and community working together to improve the town. Local people are best placed to know what their neighbourhoods need and crowdfunding is a good way to set up projects built and supported by the community, for those who will benefit the most.
“Several amazing initiatives are already up and running thanks to tens of thousands of pounds donated by generous local benefactors, alongside grants from the council.
“I’d encourage businesses and individuals looking to support a worthwhile cause in their local community to visit the Spacehive Tamworth website to find out more.”
We Are Tamworth
Delivered by Tamworth Borough Council in partnership with Spacehive, We Are Tamworth was set up to support community-led initiatives that bring people together and have a positive impact on the town.
It was created after the council was awarded £600,000 from the Government’s Community Recovery Fund to strengthen communities, trust and pride. The council has allocated £165,000 of this to support local initiatives through Spacehive.
Since launching last year, nine projects have been fully funded through We Are Tamworth, raising a combined total of £84,491. This was made up of £31,235 in pledges from Tamworth Borough Council and £53,156 from 380 local supporters, keen to help the vital third sector organisations that benefit their community.
Successful projects include free football sessions for young people, radio broadcasting training, relationship education workshops for young women, arts and wellbeing projects supporting neurodiverse residents, a community choir, a new arts festival for the town and more support for hygiene poverty.
The fund reopens to new applications at the start of July. Interested charities and community groups will be invited to join an online workshop with Spacehive on July 7 at 12pm, to learn more about who might be eligible and how to get their project live on the crowdfunding platform.
To find out more about the We Are Tamworth programme visit www.spacehive.com/movement/tamworth/about
