Feeling
Connected
£100 MICRO GRANTS
We provide Micro Grants of up to £100 for volunteer-led community ideas that reduce loneliness and isolation across Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire.
LET'S GET TOGETHER!
Our grants are for informal, grass-roots initiatives - organised and run by individual residents or teams of friends or neighbours.
These kinds of initiatives usually can't get funding from anywhere else, unless they become a formalised group or organisation.
We want people to be able to keep things simple - so they can focus on bringing their ideas to life.
Our aim is to encourage and enable as many people as possible to make a difference where they live.
What is an Informal Initiative?
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Something that brings people together in a community or neighbourhood and that helps people feel more connected and less lonely
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Examples include:
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Shared activities
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Neighbourhood gatherings
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Community projects
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Social groups
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Support groups
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Organised and run by an individual resident or small team of friends/neighbours
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Initiative doesn't have it's own separate bank account
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It is NOT part of a formalised voluntary group or organisation (e.g. not a Constituted group, Community Interest Company, Social Enterprise, Registered Charity etc)
We do have some simple criteria - but you don't need any of the formal stuff like committee meetings or bank accounts.
How it works
Check you're eligible and then follow these easy steps ...
1. Complete the super simple online form
2. We'll contact you to chat about your idea and any support you need.
3. We'll tell you if your application is approved.
4. Start organising and invite people to join in
5. Save your receipts to receive your grant payment
6. Enjoy your get-together!
Check if you're eligible
Your idea:
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Brings people together
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Helps to reduce loneliness and isolation
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Creates opportunities for social connection and belonging
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Has not received any Feeling Connected funding before
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Benefits a community or neighbourhood within Chesterfield Borough or North-East Derbyshire District Council areas.
We particularly welcome applications from within (or close to) the following areas:
Chesterfield: Holme Hall, Staveley, Grangewood, St Augustines
North East Derbyshire: North Wingfield, Danesmoor, Eckington, Killamarsh
It must also be:
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New - either expected to start within three months of your application or has already started within the last six months
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Volunteer-led - you, and your team of helpers if you have any, aren't paid for what you do
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Informal - organised and run by an individual resident or team of friends/ neighbours - i.e. is not part of a formalised organisation or constituted voluntary group
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Not for Profit
HELP PEOPLE
IN YOUR
COMMUNITY
FEEL CONNECTED
We were amazed at how easy it was to apply for the funding. We thought everything would be complicated. I was offered help with the application form but I didn’t need it – it really was easy peasy!"
Angie, Organiser - Neighbours Friends and Family Group, Danesmoor
We approached a speaker as part of the Feeling Connected Family - our aim was to improve on what we are able to offer as a group. Thank you for supporting us with this grant, it made a huge difference to the group and increased attendance by 50%
Organiser - Chesterfield Fibromyalgia Support Group
It’s fantastic! If you have an idea and want to start something, it will be fully supported, and it’s nice to have that backing, especially just starting.
Julie, Organiser - Arkwright Craft Group, Arkwright Town
