Money in Action

The Building Communities Fund bursaries are to enable organisations to work up their application for a main Capital Grant. Demand for these is high and it is likely that the Bursary Fund will be fully committed by the end of November. Here are some of the bursary awards made so far.

Ferry Project, Wisbech / March

The Ferry Project are planning to build three warehouse units for expanding their furniture and recycling businesses and for letting out as starter business units. The proposal demonstrates financial viability; building on the work they already do for homeless people; generation of jobs for their own client group; creation of business units which the local authority says are urgently needed.

City Life, Cambridge

City Life are furthering the development of their plans for a Community Innovation Centre for social and micro businesses and support agencies. This is an innovative incubation centre for the Third Sector which also adds to City Life’s track record of financial innovation.

Ingrave Community Centre, Essex

A Community Centre and Sure Start centre to ensure financial sustainability. This proposal is successful as the combination of long term tenants ensures financial viability and it is well budgeted and of high build quality in an area of considerable need.

Compass, Peterborough

Compass applied to purchase a new warehouse to incorporate their many recycling facilities and an office for a credit union. Compass have a track record of success in their field; it is an excellent chance to expand their operation, to create more jobs and to end any grant dependency.

Luminus Group, Oxmoor Business Centre, Huntingdon

Luminous applied to create incubator and start up units which incorporate residential accommodation. This is a financially viable mix of business and residential buildings in a struggling area of the town; Luminous also have a track record of successful building.

Bedfordshire CVS Sector 3, Bedford

A voluntary and social enterprise centre including office accommodation, shared back office and start up facilities formed Bedfordshire CVS Sector 3’s proposal. These plans for a cost efficient and enterprising third sector centre enable agencies to grow, improve business support and incorporate start up facilities.

Felixstowe Community Radio

Felixstowe Community Radio’s planned Media Centre including training and broadcast facilities is an innovative proposal for a community media centre across the whole media spectrum.

Disability Essex

Disability Essex are aiming to achieve a bespoke administrative and training centre This will be a flagship disability centre with the provision of significant extra services as well as jobs.

Ipswich CVS

The proposal here was for a Voluntary Sector Village scheme with partners including Ipswich Council and Suffolk ACRE. This will achieve a cost efficient and enterprising third sector centre, which will enable agencies to grow, improve business support and incorporate start up facilities. It also adds vibrancy and dynamism to the regeneration of the town.

Colchester Business Enterprise Agency

This proposal builds on the work of an existing agency and purchasing units. It offers the prospect of sustainable enterprise agencies on call to in house business units as well as the wider business community.

Youth Clubs Queens Park, Billericay

Youth Clubs Queens Park applied to create a Youth Centre with offices and rooms for the Primary Care Trust and a Children’s Centre. This will be a profitable centre in a deprived area and client group.

Keystone Development Trust, Thetford

Keystone Development Trust’s proposal was centred on accommodation, employment and support facilities for migrant workers. It is an innovative scheme building on the current work of a Development Trust with a good track record, which also addresses structural economic issues.

YMCA Norfolk

YMCA Norfolk propose a Positive Health Centre which will include multiple sports and health facilities. This is an opportunity to build a community owned sports centre on land already identified. YMCA have a good track record of managing sustainable projects.

Anglia Farmers, Norfolk

Anglia Farmers are an agricultural co-operative looking to build up services to community sector and other business sectors. This is a successful agricultural and community controlled co-op needing urgently to expand its community services. They have a highly businesslike approach to serving the region.