Ageless Thanet: News from our community fund

Christine Suart (Thanet Macular Support Group), Amanda Hill (Ageless Thanet) and Rita Gauder (Thanet Macular Support Group)

The first round of funding has been awarded to various community groups from the Ageless Thanet Community Fund. One of the funded applicants is a support group for people living with Macular Degeneration, called Thanet Macular Support Group, which has now received over 50 new audio books from the Ageless Thanet Community Fund.

If you’re a part of a group, or a person who has a great idea or activity, you may eligible to apply for up to £1000 to fund your idea or activity. This funding can pay for room hire, tools or equipment, a tutor or activity facilitator, and more. The main criteria you must fulfil to apply for this funding, is that what you are applying for must benefit people over 50 in Thanet, and aim to reduce social isolation and loneliness.

Rita, who is a committee member of Thanet Macular Support Group, said: We are thrilled that our Community Fund application has been successful, the audio books that we have been provided with will really make a difference to the members of our support group. The process of applying for the Community Fund was really easy, and I’d really recommend anyone who has got an idea to apply for it.”

The Thanet Macular Support Group, which is made up of people over 50, meet from 10:30am-12pm on the second Tuesday of every month at The Royal Pavilion in Ramsgate, on the  third Tuesday of every month at Trinity Community Resource Centre in Margate, and on the fourth Tuesday of the month at the Baptist Church Hall in Birchington. They also organise various group activities such as lunches and theatre trips.

If you have Macular Degeneration, or any visual impairment, and would like to find out how the group can support you, please contact Rita on 01843 591663. The group are also looking for people to join their committed group of volunteers, and would love for you to get in touch if you would like to get involved in any way.

If you would like to apply for the Community Fund, submit your application to Ageless Thanet, along with quotes or links for the items required (for example, equipment and room hire). Your submission will be reviewed and approved by our Ageless Thanet Community Fund Commissioning Panel, which is made up of volunteers from across Thanet. You are able to submit your application for the next round of funding up until 17th July. If you would like to learn more about how to complete the application, or to discuss the fund you can see Heather at one of their ‘Community Fund Drop in Sessions.’

Amanda Hill, who is the Active Citizenship Supervisor for Ageless Thanet, and oversees the Community Fund applications said:“Ageless Thanet is thrilled to have been able to award these pots of funding to groups who share our aspirations of making Thanet a great place to grow older. We welcome applications from everyone, even if you haven’t got experience of bid writing, I would really encourage you to get in touch with my colleague Heather at one of her drop in sessions, as with her wealth of knowledge on bid writing, she will be able to give you advice on how to apply, and answer any questions you might have.”

The next Community Fund drops in sessions are on:

Tuesday 3rd July, 10:30am-2:30pm, Proper Coffee, Margate

Wednesday 18th July, 10:30am-2:30pm, Cliffs, Cliftonville

Tuesday 31st July 10:30am-2:30pm, Ageless Thanet Feelgood Factory, Margate

Alternatively, if you’re not able to get to one of the sessions, but would like some more information, please call Amanda, Heather, or Pam on 01843 210005 for a friendly chat, or email Amanda at [email protected]

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