Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council has awarded over £500,000 to local groups and volunteers, since its Community Grants Scheme began three years ago.

Established in 2016, shortly after the Town Council was formed, the scheme has allocated £523,300 to 86 local projects and initiatives, benefiting thousands of residents across the Royal Town.

In 2016, St James Hill Church was one of the first to receive a community grant, which was used to create a professional kitchen and community café. Since then, thousands of pounds have been given to multiple projects focusing on sport, environment, young people, social inclusion, arts and culture, community planning and health and wellbeing.

Walmley Ash Allotment is the latest group to be granted £4,078, which will be used to create a raised bedding area for greater accessibility and the purchase of an all-weather gazebo, to support with school visits and community events.

The biggest grant to date was in 2017 to The Sutton Coldfield Primary Headteachers Consortium for £28,600, to fund a number of creative drama, dance and music workshops delivered across all primary schools, to celebrate diversity and raise self-esteem amongst pupils.

Cllr Simon Ward, leader of Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, said: “It is a real privilege for us as a Town Council to be able to fund such brilliant and beneficial projects across our Royal Town. The most rewarding bit for us is being able to see how that money is used and the difference it makes to our community as a whole.

“While money from the precept enables these projects to flourish, it’s the people behind them and all of their hard work which makes the difference - without them, our Royal Town wouldn’t be the great place that it is to live and work.”

There are two Community Grant Schemes available to apply for, which are reviewed and approved by members of the Town Council’s Amenities, Leisure and Community Services Committee. The Devolved Grant Scheme is for projects ranging from £350 – £10,000 and the Central Grant Scheme is for those projects who need funding in excess of £10,000.

Headteacher Andrew Steggall, who was delighted and inspired by the funded workshops held at Moor Hall Primary School, said: “The grant that was offered through consortia has had a significant impact on our school.

“The funding allowed us to bring in to school internationally acclaimed classical saxophonist Amy Dickson.

“Amy not only performed her music to the children at school, she taught them a mental health and wellbeing programme called ‘Take a Breath’. This has provided our children with a strategy for dealing with stressful moments. Her works have provided us with an inspiration for the development of our wider arts curriculum.”

The closing date for the next round of community grant applications is Friday 25 October. For more information please visit the Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council website.

Pictured are two year 6 children from Moor Hall Primary School who were involved in the workshops, funded by Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council’s Community Grants programme