From supporting young people to ideas that bring people together, how would you spend funding to improve your town?
Residents, community groups, schools and businesses are being invited to share ideas for making their towns better and apply for funding from a pot of £486,000 through Your Voice Your Town, supported by Ealing Council.
Community powered change
Your Voice Your Town is a way of working that supports people to take action on things they care about in their town. Town teams lead the work locally in each town and members include residents, businesses, community groups, faith leaders and councillors.
Since the introduction of Your Voice Your Town last year, 77 projects have been funded across the borough.
These included:
- a walking group in Northolt to help people make friends
- creating a nature reserve in Greenford
- community action and litter-picks around the borough to improve the environment and educate people on waste
- and support for Hanwell Carnival
Find out more about the projects on the Your Voice Your Town web page.
Apply now
Each town has different amounts of funding for their priorities, from £150 to £15,000.
All ideas are welcome. Applications must be received by 1pm on Thursday 3 December. Town Teams will then choose which projects will be given funding using a clear assessment process.
Greenford
Your Voice Your Town Greenford has a £55,000 fund available, with a focus on supporting young people aged 11-18 to stay safe and thrive, while also helping to create connections between younger and older people in Greenford.
Northolt
Your Voice Your Town Northolt’s Town Team has £55,000 to support young people aged 4-18 years old to learn, grow and thrive, and to create a better future. develop skills and boost their learning.
Perivale
Your Voice Your Town Perivale has £16,000 to support community-led projects that help local people secure employment through activities which help to build skills, business connections and offer new employment pathways.
Hanwell
Your Voice Your Town Hanwell has £40,000 for its Your Town Your Future Fund. This is available for projects that help people to achieve at least one of the following:
- making Hanwell greener and cleaner
- bringing people together, especially between different generations
- revitalising places and spaces in Hanwell
- helping local people share knowledge and skills
The team is especially keen to hear from young people in Hanwell and will be working with high schools to support students with ideas.
Acton
Your Voice Your Town Acton, has £80,000 in its Acton Affect Fund. The team is particularly looking for ideas that increase safety; provide support and activities for young people; enhance community cohesion and connections; and improve the local environment.
Olivia Law-Zygadlo from Acton’s town team is looking forward to bringing people together. She said: “I’ve met passionate people taking action in Acton, from litter groups, wildlife volunteers to young climate activists, but they often work in silos. What I’d love The Acton Effect to fund is something that bridges those groups. It could be a project where older residents with years of local knowledge and younger people with digital skills actually work together.”
Ealing
Your Voice Your Town Ealing has £120,000 for its Thriving High Streets and Neighbourhoods community fund. Ideas could support local businesses and help attract more people to the high streets; create fun activities for older people or bring people together.
Southall
Your Voice Your Town Southall, is inviting applications for projects to help children and young people aged between 4 and 18 years (and young people aged up to 25 who have Special Educational Needs), from all cultures and backgrounds improve their health, wellbeing and learning. Total funding of £175,000 is available.
Southall town team member, Monica said: “Last year, we focused on creating cleaner, more pleasant streets. This year, I’m especially excited that the fund will support our young people through education, nutrition, physical activity and mental wellbeing. Investing in the next generation means giving them the opportunities, experiences, knowledge and positive environments they need to thrive.”
A big achievement
Councillor Lauren Wall, the council’s cabinet member for thriving communities, said: “Your Voice Your Town is built on a simple idea: local people know their communities best. I’d like to thank and congratulate everyone involved for how much has been achieved in such a short time. The success of projects shows the strength, creativity and ambition that exists across our 7 towns. We want to build on that by helping even more local people bring their ideas to life and make a positive difference where they live.”
Applications must be received by 1pm on Thursday 3 December. Visit Your Voice Your Town’s website for more information and details on how to apply for funding.
