Since the Tories came to power in 2010, there have been fewer avenues for small and medium sized community groups and charities to apply for funding. 6 years of Tory led austerity has left many community groups and Charites starved of investment and lacking capital to expand and maintain their ongoing work.
With this in mind, the Labour representatives for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney hosted a Funding Surgery in Merthyr Town Football Club on Friday 1st July where local charities were be able to meet and see what the funding organisations could offer them.
Funders included RBS, NatWest, The big lottery fund, Groundwork Wales as well as many others. The event will give community groups a chance to speak to funders individually as to discuss individual funding applications and concerns.
Labour MP Gerald Jones MP wants to encourage community groups to seek different avenues of funding.
“It’s very important that small community groups can get access to funding. Since the Tories came to power in 2010 it has been so difficult for charities and community groups to get funding from central government so we’re keen to try and provide local groups with different avenues for funding.
“I know there have been funding surgeries in the past in the constituency which have been very successful, so I wanted to pick up where they’ve left off, but we’ve also invited a few new funders this year so that groups had more options when looking for funding”.
Local Assembly member Dawn Bowden AM emphasised that a wide range of community groups attended
“The funders cover a large range of community groups and charities from religious groups to rugby clubs. Whatever community group or charity your involved with we want to help you get access to the funds you need to make your organisation successful.
“Whether you want to secure your organisations financial sustainability or money for a community project, we can help set you up with some of the funders even with diverse needs and projects.
If you run a local community group or charity and would like to know more about applying for funding, please contact the office on 01685 383 739 or by emailing Gerald.Jones.MP@Parliament.uk