More than 80 groups share £320k council funding

MORE than 80 local organisations have secured a share of over £320,000 from Inverclyde Council to support their grassroots work.

The local authority has announced the latest beneficiaries from its Community Grants Fund, including the local World Walking group, which was founded by Greenock man Duncan Galbraith inspired by the Inverclyde Globetrotters exercise club.

Just over £323k will be shared among a total of 83 groups to support a wide range of sporting, musical, cultural, religious and voluntary activities across Inverclyde.

Funding was approved by councillors on the council’s grants sub-committee.

Bowling clubs, youth sports teams, dance schools, arts groups, community centres and scouts and girl guides are among those benefiting.

Organisations will use the money towards a variety of things like running costs, maintenance work, building upgrades and investment in new equipment.

Councillor Graeme Brooks, chair of the Inverclyde Council grants sub-committee, said: “I’m proud that once again, despite the financial pressures facing local government, that we have been able to provide vital support to so many, varied local organisations to help them continue the work they do in our communities.

“As always, demand outweighs supply and we had over three-quarters of a million pounds worth of funding requests with a budget of just over three-hundred and twenty thousand pounds available so it’s always a difficult task for myself and my colleagues on the grants sub-committee to make these funding decisions and I’d like to thank them for their support.

“I hope these awards will give our community groups much-needed financial assistance during these difficult times and allow them to continue and also develop the important work they do for our residents.

“World Walking is a fine example of what can be achieved with some financial support and dedication from people like Duncan who has inspired hundreds, if not thousands, of people to get out and about to explore their local surroundings and also learn about other parts of the world in such an interactive way while enjoying all the benefits that come with walking.”

World Walking is a free online resource developed simply to motivate people to walk more and has received a grant of £1,750 to help with server hosting costs.

Inverclyde Council Grants sub-committee October 2022 World Walking group. Councillor Brooks, right, is pictured with Duncan Galbraith.

Inspired by the exploits of the Inverclyde Globetrotters, a local heart health exercise group, World Walking was launched in October 2013 and can be used by anyone, anytime, anywhere.

The website and mobile app allows people to use the steps they walk each day to complete virtual journeys, from city walks to trekking across a continent, and is packed with facts and photos that also allows users to look and learn as they explore.

To date, over 190,000 people around the world, including many in Inverclyde, have signed up to use World Walking, clocking up more than 113 billion steps – 48 million miles – and completing over 66,000 virtual walks to some of the most amazing places on Earth.

Founder Duncan, who also runs the group, said: “Quite simply, the wonderful support we’ve received from Inverclyde Council has enabled our small, volunteer-led charity to keep going.

“Walking is so beneficial for physical and mental wellbeing and it makes me happy to see so many people using the World Walking website and app to help inspire their journey and reach their targets, as well as connecting with so many other like-minded people around the world.”

Money has been made available from the local authority’s new Community Grants Fund, which combines the former Grants to Voluntary Organisations (GTVO), Under-19s Sports and Community Hall Waivers funding pots.

For more information and to find out how to apply, visit www.inverclyde.gov.uk/communitygrants.

COMMUNITY GRANTS FUND

ROUND 1 2022/23

	Category	Applicant	Details	Requested	Awarded
1	Arts	Crow Cottage Arts	Support towards equipment required to help facilitate a stained glass art course, first step on the journey to establish a new education facility focusing on glass education	£10,025.60	£3,000.00
2	Arts	Greenock Burns Club	Support towards enhancing exhibition and archive museum at Greenock Customhouse; improving community presentations and restoration and renewal of public signage about Highland Mary Campbell	£4,500.00	£2,000.00 Conditional
3	Arts	Greenock Philharmonic Society	Support towards Christmas and Spring Concerts - orchestra and soloists costs	£1,650.00	£1,000.00
4	Arts	Inverclyde Voices	Support to promote a 'come and join us to sing' weekend	£2,800.00	£1,000.00 Conditional
5	Arts	Inverclyde Youth Theatre (Kayos)	Support towards rehearsal space; storage; insurance; venue hire; freelance costs for Sound Designer	9,051.08	£3,000.00 Conditional
6	Arts	Kilmacolm Dramatic Society	Support towards installation of new speaker system and audio induction loop system to improve acoustics	£6,756.00	£3,000.00
7	Arts	Lower Clyde Pipes & Drums	Support towards uniforms; equipment; hall rental; insurance and annual fees	£4,430.00	£3,000.00
8	Arts	RIG Arts	Support towards community greenspace project	£9,992.00	£3,000.00 Conditional
9	Bowling Club	Ardgowan Club Bowling Section	Support towards increased heating costs; grass cutter machine and internal/external decoration	£17,300.00	£4,000.00 Conditional
10	Bowling Club	Fort Matilda Bowling Club	Support towards greens maintenance and extension giving expansion to ladies locker room	£24,200.00	£4,000.00 Conditional
11	Bowling Club	Gourock Bowling Club	Support towards running costs; greens upgrade; bar upgrade; new bar equipment and lounge windows	£40,000.00	£4,000.00 Conditional
12	Bowling Club	Grosvenor Bowling Club	Support towards running costs	£5,000.00	£4,000.00
13	Bowling Club	Inverkip Bowling Club	Support towards greens upkeep and running costs	£3,300.00	£3,300.00
14	Bowling Club	Lady Alice Bowling Club	Support towards bowls for juniors and public, greens maintenance, running costs, new lawnmower and self-propelled lawn mower	£10,000.00	£4,000.00 Conditional
15	Bowling Club	Parklea Bowling Club	Support towards running costs and greens maintenance	£2,500.00	£2,500.00
16	Bowling Club	Rankin Park Bowling Club	Support towards running costs	£4,000.00	£4,000.00 Conditional
17	Bowling Club	Victoria Bowling Club	Support towards running costs; greens maintenance and disabled toilet access/ installation	£7,500.00	£4,000.00 Conditional
18	Bowling Club	Wellington Park Bowling Club	Support towards greens maintenance and equipment/uniform for Open Bowls Challenge	£4,897.00	£4,000.00 Conditional
19	Care	Friends4ever	Support towards hall hire and summer programme for 2023	£9,000.00	£5,000.00
20	Care	GRASP Group	Support for hall hire; Microsoft licence; ingredients for weekly soup and chat and leisure passes	£3,970.00	£3,000.00
21	Care	Inverclyde Council of Social Service (IVCSS)	Support towards running costs including vehicle insurance, repair and maintenance	£10,000.00	£10,000.00 Conditional
22	Care	Inverclyde Enable	Support towards hall hire	£2,500.00	£2,500.00
23	Care	Inverclyde Family Contact Centre	Support towards overhead costs and PPE equipment	£10,000.00	£5,000.00 Conditional
24	Care	Man On! Inverclyde	Support towards operational costs; marketing; volunteer recruitment and training	£10,000.00	£5,000.00 Conditional
25	Care	Moving on Inverclyde	Support towards structured health and wellbeing sessions	£6,300.00	£3,000.00 Conditional
26	Care	Port Glasgow Voluntary Transport	Support towards annual running costs	£73,246.00	£10,000.00 Conditional
27	Community	Access Technology Scotland CIC	Support towards 'Building a Digital Community' - collaborative project working with local groups	£7,680.00	£2,000.00
28	Community	Auchmountain Glen Project	Support towards hall rental and resources	£2,500.00	£2,000.00 Conditional
29	Community	Branchton Community Centre	Support for new PC's for Computer Suite	£6,000.00	£1,000.00 Conditional
30	Community	Caddlehill Allotment	Support towards clubhouse decoration; new storage sheds and propagator	£3,587.00	£2,000.00 Conditional
31	Community	Colourful Kilmacolm	Support for plants and bulbs for displays and hire of hall for AGM	£700.00	£700.00 Conditional
32	Community	Cowdenknowes Residents Association	Support towards hall hire; admin costs and IT equipment	£1,495.00	£1,495.00 Conditional
33	Community	Greenock Morton Supporters Club	Support towards new roof on club	£10,000.00	£7,000.00 Conditional
34	Community	Greenock South West Community Council	Support towards Christmas lunch and Gala day	£7,250.00	£3,000.00
35	Community	Greenock Torpedo Factory Club	Support towards new fire alarm system	£15,933.00	£5,000.00 Conditional
36	Community	Grieve Road Community Centre	Support towards equipment; resources; and hall rental	£10,000.00	£7,000.00
37	Community	Inverclyde Christian Initiative	Support for utility costs; uniforms; resources; promotional materials and travel costs	£3,400.00	£2,000.00 Conditional
38	Community	Inverclyde Naval Club	Support towards new kitchen and boiler; Armistice Day and Christmas events and dominoes/darts competitions	£8,500.00	£2,000.00
39	Community	Inverkip Community Initiative	Support towards Kip Fest 2023	£10,000.00	£5,000.00 Conditional
40	Community	Kilmacolm Eco Space	Support towards developing a Community Eco Space to include orchards, family beds, raised planters and ‘no dig’ beds	£9,293.00	£3,000.00 Conditional
41	Community	Lyle Gateway	Support towards canopies for community garden and resources for various projects	£5,000.00	£5,000.00 Conditional
42	Community	Parklea Association Branching Out	Support towards delivering 'Community Inclusion' programme – activities and sessions for individuals with learning development and additional support needs	£22,450.00	£5,000.00 Conditional
43	Community	Port Glasgow New Parish Church	Support towards running costs and resources for new community groups	£3,500.00	£2,000.00
44	Community	Prospecthill Christian Fellowship/Street Connect	Support towards exercise classes and family support for Street Connect	£7,753.00	£2,327.00 Conditional
45	Community	Tail O' the Bank Credit Union Ltd	Support towards staffing hours to promote Credit Union and its benefits	£19,584.00	0
46	Community	Wellington Allotments Garden Association	Support for removal of large sycamore trees	£1,600.00	£1,000.00 Conditional
47	Community	Wemyss Bay Community Association	Support towards utility costs	£5,000.00	£4,000.00
48	National/ Regional Organisation	Glasgow & Clyde Rape Crisis	Support for local base; transport and promotional materials	£10,000.00	£4,000.00
49	National/ Regional Organisation	Home Start Inverclyde	Support towards running costs of Greenock base	£9,995.54	£4,000.00
50	National/ Regional Organisation	Victim Support Inverclyde	Support towards overhead costs for local office	£4,500.00	£4,000.00 Conditional
51	Older People	Greenock IBM Retirees	Support for hall hire; events and outings	£2,500.00	£1,000.00
52	Older People	WOOPI Singers	Support towards hall rental; insurance; outing and transport costs	£500.00	£500.00
53	Sport	AR26 Charity	Community programme offering free football to all. Weeknight football and camps for 6-14 years	£10,000.00	£6,000.00 Conditional
54	Sport	Ardgowan Tennis Club	Support towards automated entry and disabled access to the courts	£10,000.00	£5,800.00 Conditional
55	Sport	Ardgowan Thistle Football Club	Support towards pitch hire	£10,000.00	£6,000.00 Conditional
56	Sport	Birkmyre Rugby Club	Support towards running costs; Veo Camera and pitch hire	£15,932.00	£5,000.00 Conditional
57	Sport	BOUNCE Basketball Inverclyde	Support towards hall hire	£2,992.00	£1,600.00 Conditional
58	Sport	Broomhill Boys Club	Support towards training equipment; pitch hire; community project and transport	£8,747.14	£5,000.00 Conditional
59	Sport	Clyde Netball	Support towards training clothing/balls/ strips and games hall hire	£14,475.00	£5,000.00 Conditional
60	Sport	Gourock Golf Club	Sets of golf clubs to support ongoing initiatives which will enhance club membership	£4,100.00	£1,000.00 Conditional
61	Sport	Greenock & District Welfare Football League	Support towards pitch hire for league games and also for project in partnership with Man On Inverclyde	£8,406.00	£5,000.00
62	Sport	Greenock Cricket Club	Support towards coaching for schools and young girls via 'Female Empowerment' and promotion of club to Afghanistan refugees	£2,524.80	£2,524.80 Conditional
63	Sport	Greenock Glenpark Harriers	Support towards cleaning; Club vests/ hoodies and track hire	£9,475.00	£5,000.00 Conditional
64	Sport	Greenock Juniors FC	Support towards pitch hire	£10,000.00	£5,000.00 Conditional
65	Sport	Greenock Wanderers	Support towards storage containers and pitch hire	£13,000.00	£5,000.00 Conditional
66	Sport	Inverclyde Amateur Football Club	Support towards pitch hire	£9,937.50	£5,000.00
67	Sport	Inverclyde Amateur Swimming Club	Support towards pool hire costs	£9,964.78	£9,964.78 Conditional
68	Sport	Inverclyde American Football Community Club	Support towards transport; uniforms; playing equipment and pitch hire	£12,980.00	£3,795.00 Conditional
69	Sport	Inverclyde Athletics Club	Support towards stadium costs for training, development camps and competitions	£10,000.00	£10,000.00 Conditional
70	Sport	Inverclyde Cricket Club	Support towards insurance; equipment' net system; travel and training/park hire	£3,061.00	£2,000.00 Conditional
71	Sport	Newark Angling Club	Funding to allow for subsidised travel for elderly & juniors; trophies and fishing accessories	£1,500.00	£800.00
72	Sport	Port Glasgow Boys Club	Support towards training clothing and equipment; training for coaches and hire of facilities for training and matches	£36,950.00	£10,000.00 Conditional
73	Sport	Port Glasgow Junior Football Club	Support towards hire of pitches for training and match days	£13,260.00	£5,000.00 Conditional
74	Sport	Port Glasgow Juniors Community Sports Club	Support towards hire of facilities for all teams	£10,000.00	£10,000.00 Conditional
75	Sport	Royal West of Scotland Boat Club	Support towards insulation boards for fitting to main and racing sheds improving energy efficiency	£6,000.00	£3,000.00
76	Sport	Team United	Support towards development of activities for young people in Inverclyde with autism	£8,970.00	£2,160.00 Conditional
77	Uniformed Organisation	1st Gourock Scout Group	Support towards shelters; kayaks and safety equipment	£2,200.00	£1,000.00 Conditional
78	Uniformed Organisation	32nd Greenock & District Scouts	Support towards running costs for Bank St premises	£4,000.00	£3,000.00
79	Uniformed Organisation	Girl Guiding Greenock Division	Support towards annual membership fees; raising the profile of guiding and hire of facilities for Units meeting	£10,000.00	£5,000.00
80	Uniformed Organisation	Greenock & District Scout Council	Support towards running costs for Everton and HQ buildings	£10,000.00	£5,000.00
81	Uniformed Organisation	Greenock & District Sea Cadet Corps	Support towards annual running costs	£5,000.00	£5,000.00 Conditional
82	Uniformed Organisation	Inverclyde & District Battalion The Boys Brigade	Support towards annual running costs	£5,000.00	£5,000.00 Conditional
83	Voluntary	World Walking	Support towards server hosting costs	£1,750.00	£1,750.00
84	Youth	Inverclyde Youth for Christ	Support towards core running costs	£1,943.00	£1,500.00 Conditional