Grants awarded to support local groups

Local groups and organisations have been given a funding boost by grants awarded by Westbury Town Council.

Over £36,000 was awarded to local organisations at a full council meeting on Monday 1st September to help them continue their work and provide support in the community.

“It’s one of the best things we do as a council, to give grants around the town,” said Councillor Mike Sutton. “It’s a worthwhile amount of money to spend on good causes.”

Of the large grants awarded, £3,724 was given to Westbury Heritage Society to cover rent and equipment costs, £6,000 to Crosspoint to support the running of its welcome centre, and £7,500 to Westbury Festival to continue delivering festival events.

Other grants included £400 for Dogs for Health to support its volunteers and the school dog programme, £1,317 for Families Out Loud to support five additional residents and £900 for Westbury Youth Club to fund a free activity day with Wiltshire Outdoor Learning.

Stepping Stones has been awarded £1,228.39 to buy specialist equipment for children with additional needs. Wessex MS Therapy Centre will receive £4,000 to provide weekly physiotherapy sessions, and Hope for Tomorrow has been given £600 to maintain the “Kayleigh” mobile cancer care unit.

Carer Support Wiltshire and Group Five have each been awarded £1,000, with Carer Support funding its peer café group for unpaid carers and Group Five helping with running costs. Cygnets Preschool has also been awarded £1,000 for sensory equipment and a laptop to support its SENCO.

Wiltshire Sight has been awarded £800 to support blind and partially sighted residents. Friends of Westbury Station, Westbury and District Cricket Club, and Blue Circle Bowls Club each received £500 for equipment and maintenance projects.

Leigh Park Community Centre has been awarded £1,379.74 towards a new heating system. Westbury PCC has received £3,000 to help fund the Friday Fun Youth Club, run in partnership with 4Youth (South West). The Westbury and District French Twinning Association has been awarded £350 towards running expenses.