Council launches £300,000 fund to help establish new community services and activities

Neath Port Talbot Council has launched a £300,000 fund to support community organisations to deliver early intervention and prevention services.

The Seed Fund is a one off grant payment to help establish a new service or activity that prevents or delays a person from needing arranged support from the Council’s Social Services Department. The fund can also be used to expand existing services or activities.

It could be a service or activity that helps with issues such as a person’s physical or mental disability, substance misuse, child development, or social isolation.

The grant is intended to go towards covering the start-up costs with the organisation needing to demonstrate that it will be self-sustaining after the grant has been awarded. It can be used for services and activities aimed at adults or children and young people.

There is no limit on the amount organisations can apply for.

Any public sector or not-for-profit community, voluntary or third sector organisation (including service user led groups, co-operatives and social enterprises) can apply for the grant.

Councillor Peter Richards, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services and Health, said: “We fully recognise the importance organisations in the community have in helping to alleviate the pressure on health and social care services.

“The Seed Fund has been launched to strengthen what is available in the community to ensure people can get support at an early stage and to prevent problems occurring in the first place.”

To apply for the fund or for further information, email seedfund@npt.gov.uk . All applications must be submitted by 5pm on Monday 30th August 2021.

The grant is funded by Welsh Government’s Transformational Fund and administered by Neath Port Talbot Council.