A FURTHER 17 community, sports and voluntary groups have benefitted from Inverclyde Council’s community grants fund.
A total of £23,000 was left for round two of funding with priority given to groups which hadn’t applied before.
Councillor Graeme Brooks, who chairs the council’s grants sub-committee, said: “Once again, I am delighted elected members on the grants sub-committee have been able to help so many community groups across Inverclyde and I thank all members for their diligence and hard work on this.
“This second round brings us to a total of 119 separate groups across Inverclyde which have received a funding boost. These community groups are vital and operate in many different areas across Inverclyde, helping a wide variety of people.”
Jennifer Freeman from Port Glasgow Otters, a swimming club for young people and adults with physical, learning or sensory processing needs, said their £1,900 grant would help them offer a range of opportunities.
She said: “As a club that operates thanks to kind donations, this funding grant allows us to reach half of our yearly fundraising target to keep the club operational.
“We’ve already identified further training opportunities for our teachers and coaches to ensure we’re creating an environment where every swimmer can reach success.
“As part of this we’re endeavouring to create a circular economy with our adult members to provide them with training and pathways to employment.
“This wouldn’t be something we could have considered without the funding opportunities from Inverclyde Council.”
Another local group, Kilmacolm and Port Glasgow Agricultural Society, received £1,300 to enhance the education area within the show.
Show secretary Mandi Baxter said: “We have chosen the education area as it is the busiest part of the show, has the biggest impact on visitors and has had fantastic feedback.
“We were approached by several community groups/schools after the show to see if we could take the area to them as they thought it was brilliantly run, fascinating and a great educational experience.”
In round one, the grants sub-committee approved awards totalling £283,000 with 102 groups benefitting.
Applications for the next round of funding will open in May.
| Category | Applicant | Details | Requested | Awarded | |
| 1 | Arts | Greenock Philharmonic Society | Support towards venue hire costs for rehearsal and concert | £2,400.00 | £750.00 |
| 2 | Arts | Thistle Theatre Company | Support towards rent for storage space, hire of premises for rehearsal/ performances and show costs | £3,680.00 | £1,125.00 |
| 3 | Bowling Club | Kilmacolm Bowling Club | Support towards running costs and building repairs | £5,000.00 | £750.00 |
| 4 | Bowling Club | Parklea Bowling Club | Support towards greens upkeep and machinery maintenance | £3,000.00 | £1,500.00 |
| 5 | Care | Compassionate Inverclyde | Support towards office costs, back home boxes and accommodation hire for quarterly meetings | £10,000.00 | £1,125.00 |
| 6 | Community | Inverclyde Naval Club | Support towards new boiler; Armistice Day and Christmas events and dominoes/darts competitions | £10,000.00 | £1,500.00 |
| 7 | Community | Inverclyde Woodturning Club | Support for purchase of new lathe | £869.99 | £652.49 |
| 8 | Community | Inverkip Community Initiative | Support towards Kip Fest 2024 | £5,000.00 | £3,000.00 |
| 9 | Community | Kilmacolm & Port Glasgow Agricultural Society Ltd | Support towards costs for enhancing the education area within the show | £1,762.71 | £1,322.03 |
| 10 | Community | Kilmacolm Playgroup & Toddlers | Support towards rental costs for church hall and renewing equipment | £2,787.95 | £562.50 |
| 11 | Community | The Country Club | Support towards Christmas lunch and excursions | £1,400.00 | £525.00 |
| 12 | Sport | Birkmyre Rugby Club | Support towards running costs and pitch hire | £6,360.00 | £3,000.00 |
| 13 | Sport | Inverclyde Masters Swimming Club | Support towards pool hire, gala costs and starter blocks | £10,000.00 | £1,725.00 |
| 14 | Sport | Inverclyde Ramblers | Support towards coach hire for walks that are further afield | £750.00 | £562.50 |
| 15 | Sport | Port Glasgow Otters | Support towards pool hire costs and other club costs including insurance, coach training and team kit | £8,076.92 | £1954.94 |
| 16 | Uniformed Organisation | 1st Gourock Scout Group | Support towards running costs for Coppermine Community Centre | £7,500.00 | £2,250.00 |
| 17 | Uniformed Organisation | Greenock & District Scouts (Gang Show) | Support towards Gang Show costs | £5,000.00 | £1,125.00 |
