VOLUNTARY and community groups in and around Redditch are being invited to bid for the latest round of grants of up to £500 from Redditch Borough Council.

‘Stronger Communities’ grants support local community-focused projects and the first of three rounds of applications for the year 2014-15 opened on Monday, January 27.

Redditch Nightstop’s mentoring and befriending project, the Inkberrow Design Centre Sewing Café, the Alzheimer’s Society project to make Redditch dementia-friendly, climbing equipment for the 1st Church Hill Scout group and enabling a weekly support meeting for Support and Education for ADHD Redditch Society (SEARS) were among the 11 projects funded in the previous round of Stronger Communities grants.

Council leader, Councillor Bill Hartnett, whose portfolio includes the voluntary and community sector, said: “We remain committed to supporting and encouraging community involvement across the spectrum, with over 30 small community groups helped last year.

“If you are a voluntary or community group and are thinking about doing some kind of one-off community-focused project, I encourage you to get in touch with our team. They can provide help and guidance on applying for a Stronger Communities grant.”

Stronger Communities grants are made available in three rounds each year as one part of the borough council’s wider annual grants programme.

Applications to the current round of Stronger Communities funding can be made from now until the closing date of Friday, February 28. To apply, look for ‘Grants Programme 2014/15’ under the central ‘Apply for it’ heading at redditchbc.gov.uk.

Groups do not need to be formally constituted to apply. For more information, contact the grants team on 01527 64252 ext 3015 or email grants.team@redditchbc.gov.uk.