SCHOOL GARDEN AND FOOD GROWING PROJECTS IN HEREFORDSHIRE
FUNDING GUIDE - JULY 2005

Projects to develop school gardens, particularly where growing fresh fruit and vegetables is included, can fit in well with initiatives such as Growing Schools, Food in Schools and Eco-Schools.

However, such projects can involve considerable expense on tools, equipment, plants and seeds. This guide suggests possible sources of funding up to £1000 for schools in Herefordshire. Further details can be obtained from the appropriate contacts or websites given.

Some funders will not fund schools directly, and applications will need to be directed through a Parent Teacher Association or similar.

Help with applications and with developing projects is available from Grenville Sheringham, Community Gardener, on 07792 880369 or gsheringham@herefordshire.gov.uk

THE SYLVIA SHORT EDUCATIONAL CHARITY
Makes grants to organisations (incl. schools, charities etc)
To promote education by the making of grants for fieldwork and extra mural studies to people who are under the age of 19, in need of financial assistance and attending school in Herefordshire or Worcestershire.

Contact: Mrs D B Penson
Sylvia Short Educational Charity
Herefordshire Council
PO Box 185
Hereford HR4 9ZR

Tel: 01432 260 959

Notes: Small grants usually up to £500.

ACTION EARTH

Objectives: To empower people at local level to make improvements that will improve the quality of their life.

• To involve local people as volunteers on locally based environmental projects.
• To increase the number of volunteers taking part in environmental work.
• To help groups and organisations to attract new volunteers.
• To provide volunteers with practical skills and a range of volunteer opportunities that will be fun and educational.

What do they do?

• Provide small grants to local volunteering projects to help them purchase the tools, equipment and materials needed.
• Help local groups to promote and publicise their work and recruit new volunteers.
• Provide local people with information and the opportunity they need to take part (often for the first time) in a local volunteering activity.
• Support and encourage local projects that provide opportunities for volunteers to learn new skills.

Contact: Action Earth
CSV Environment
St Peter's College
College Rd
Saltley
Birmingham B8 3TE

Tel: 0121 328 7455
Email: naseem@csvenvironment.org.uk

BARCLAYS NEW FUTURES
Barclays New Futures encourages young people to act positively on issues affecting their local communities. Awards go to schools demonstrating both vision and drive, and to projects that enable pupils to learn new skills for life, work and citizenship through making a contribution to the community.

Who is eligible to enter Barclays New Futures?
Any maintained or independent secondary/high school, special school, middle deemed secondary school or sixth form college in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man or the Channel Islands can apply for a Barclays New Futures Award. Primary schools may also apply but they are only eligible for the £10,000 partnership award and one of their two partner schools must be a secondary school.

What are the opportunities for primary schools to take part ?
Primary schools may apply as the lead school in a £10,000 Partnership School Award bid. One of their two partner schools must be a secondary school.

Application forms are available for the next round of awards from 13 October. If your school has not received an entry pack or you would like further copies - contact Barclays New Futures on 020 7792 4949.

Can a school apply for an award to support an existing project?
Absolutely. Projects can be already taking place in school or they can be a completely new idea. If the project is already running, think about adding a new dimension to it - expanding its reach, involving more students or community members.

What can the award money be used for?
Money from the award may be allocated to items such as staffing costs (to support educational development within the project), running costs and equipment directly relevant to your project. Barclays New Futures awards may not be used to pay for school trips, support for individuals or capital costs.

AWARDS FOR ALL

The National Lottery's small grants fund. Funding for projects which enable people to take part in art, sport, heritage or community activities, and for projects that promote education, the environment and health in the local community.

Open to not-for-profit groups and certain statutory bodies (including schools).

Continuous assessment of applications.

Grants of between £500 and £5,000.

Contact:
Ground Floor
St Nicholas Court
25-27 Castle Gate
Nottingham NG1 7AR

Tel: 0845 600 2040
Fax: 0115 934 9355
Email: julia.palmer@awardsforall.org.uk
Website: http://www.awardsforall.org.uk

Comments
Easy application process, fairly quick response and very little paperwork involved.

OTHER POSSIBLE SOURCES

The following funders may be worth trying, but further research will be needed to check eligibility criteria etc.: