Decision details

The primary purpose of the Community Investment Programme is to support local Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector and Social Enterprises to enhance and or develop a range of flexible creative service activities in Doncaster.

The Council, through the Community Investment Programme, have an opportunity to reinforce its community leadership role in the investment of grant funding, to develop further the capacity and skills of the sector, and strengthen frontline community groups/organisations to deliver value for money services/activities, and provide a platform for the delivery of projects that strengthen and support communities.

To agree the funding allocation of £131,069.
The breakdown of spend to successful providers is as follows:-
Revenue:-

1). Open Minds Counselling - £6,698 - to fund a programme of behaviour change and stress management, to tackle loneliness and social isolation and take an early intervention prevention approach.


2). Artistic Spectrum - £15,600 - Creative activities for young people transitioning from childhood to adult services, in order to tackle loneliness and social isolation and promote social connectedness.


3). Austerfield Study Centre £19,992 -To run a weekly programme of food and outdoor activities, in order to address loneliness and social isolation and promote well-being.


4). Edlington Community Organisation - £11,000 to engage more people who may experience loneliness and social isolation.

5). Balby Community Arts (BCA) – £19,820 To carry out a programme of creative workshops that connect people into their community.


6). Higher Rhythm Ltd/Sine FM Community Radio Station £13,888 – The creation of 85 new bite-size/flexible volunteering opportunities. To address loneliness and social isolation.


7).Doncaster Alcohol Service – £13,031 -Sober Social – After Dark - An extension of Sober Social which will tackle loneliness and social isolation.

8). Aspiring2 CIC – £10,440 - Healthy Futures- Pop Up interactive roadshow – primarily address loneliness and social isolation and promote local community based support activities.


9). Green Heart Man - £11,100 – From The Ground Up – will deliver 10 fortnightly workshops over 20 weeks to 18-20 men to learn to share and grow. This project will primarily tackle loneliness and social isolation.

10). Holmescarr Ark and Crafts Ltd - £9,500 – Community Connector project to primarily address loneliness and social isolation.

OPTION 1. Do nothing.
This option was rejected as the Voluntary, Community, Faith Sector and Social Enterprise have a key role to play in relation to the Early Intervention Prevention agenda. Therefore it is in everyone’s best interest to provide resources to the sector in order to acknowledge their vital contribution, and support their long term sustainability.

OPTION 2. Launch the Community Investment Programme.
The CIP is about commissioning community-based and preventative services in the Borough. The focus is on three key themes:-

- Tackling loneliness and social isolation
- Maintaining Independence
- Early Intervention and Prevention

We know that many organisations/groups do not have the scale and capacity to compete or to deliver large scale public sector contracts, but, we know that a grant can make significant contributions to improving wellbeing outcomes.

We also know that locally based grassroots community groups/organisations have close trusted relationships with people who access their services and have local knowledge and intelligence of where there are gaps in support provision, and can define the needs and local solutions.

Therefore, we are seeking the continued strengthening of communities, so they themselves can meet the needs of vulnerable residents by improving their health and well-being.