Grants given out to community groups

Grants totalling more than £16,000 have been awarded to community projects in Kettering.

Each year Kettering Town Council runs grants programmes to support voluntary and community led projects and for environmental projects.

Amounts of between £500 and £3,000 were up for grabs for projects which could prove they helped improve community resilience.

Eligible projects included those which supported volunteering, community involvement, neighbourhood and community led activities; enabled voluntary youth action and the development of services for young people; prevented homelessness, improve social mobility, tackled inequality; and promoted social inclusion.

As well as this applicants were asked to think about the environmental impact of their project and describe how it might also encourage and support sustainable habits and opportunities, including widening the scope and opportunities for recycling, optimising sustainable methods of travel, and helping protect, restore and enhance local biodiversity.

Cllr Andy Byatt, chair of Kettering Town Council's Finance and Governance Committee, which allocated the grants, said: "We're proud to support such a diverse range of projects that will make a real difference in our community. It's inspiring to see the creativity and commitment of residents who are working to improve lives, protect our environment, and strengthen the social fabric of Kettering. We look forward to seeing the positive impact these projects will have across our town in the months ahead."

Councillors have decided to award the following grants...

North Northamptonshire Community First Responders £3,000

Equipment for new volunteers.

Kettering Brotherhood £2,000

Operational running costs.

Big Bubble Theatre Company £2,000

Drama workshops in schools, 15 in total, with title Only One Planet Earth.

St Michael's and all Angels Church £2,000

Green space at the church for community use.

Snapdragon and Bop £2,000

Developing community café at premises on Bath Road, including a gardening group and other services.

The Shack Food Project £2,000

Expanding food parcel project, particularly for homeless people.

Stride and Ride £2,000

Run four Active Travel Hub sessions during the next 6 months.

Hanwood Park Run Club £1,160

Training run leaders and coaches to be sustainable in the future.

Natural Ise £508

Hedgehog boxes, insect hotels and bug homes in the Ise Valley