Town Council Grants Make Difference

Corby Town Council has been learning first-hand how funds from its community grants scheme have made a difference to groups in the town.

A series of catch-ups were held in February with groups that had been given approval for grants by town councillors.

£400 went towards a café at Oakley Vale Community Centre on Butland Road, where residents have been enjoying hot drinks and games in a warm and sociable space.

£2,000 went to the Big About Singing choir for promotional resources and a greater online presence – which has in turn boosted their numbers following a drop during the pandemic. The 55-strong choir have performed at community events and provide wellbeing support to each other.

£1,000 was awarded to Rooftop Arts Centre towards the staging of “Steel Nerve” – an exhibition of high-quality urban art which over the three months it was open received 1,200 visitors.

Citizens Advice Corby and Kettering, who have a location in the Corby Cube; were awarded £2,000 to recruit and train volunteers – generating some 500 additional appointments over a year for clients who needed their services.

And £1,000 went to Corby Conspiracy – the Morris Dancing side used the funds to spread the word about the health and wellbeing benefits of joining their group which appears at numerous community events.

These groups were just some of those to benefit from the scheme with more than £23,000 awarded to various groups in the financial year 2022-23.

Cllr Simon Rielly, Chair of Corby Town Council’s Finance Committee, said:

“In recent weeks it’s been great to see how these grants have made a difference to several projects both by and for Corby people. We’ve seen firsthand ventures that improve lives by bringing people together, providing new opportunities and supporting the community. Corby Town Council’s community grants scheme is available all year round for not-for profit groups and projects to apply to. Our application form is on our website – we could be helping you make a difference.”

Not-for-profit groups and projects within the boundaries of Corby Town Council and that meet the needed criteria can apply for a grant of up to £2,000 – see our Grants page