10 years of grant donations

Westfield: the first 10 years 10 years of grant donations

It was in early 2012, in the first year of its existence, that Westfield Parish Council decided to set up a formal grants programme.

Having given out grants on request under its more limited powers in 2011/12, the Council was awarded the General Power of Competence in 2012, which allowed it greater powers and so began a programme of grant funding which has seen many new ventures, boosted existing projects and supported the work of many organisations working in or for the benefit of Westfield residents. Community Grant Awards 2013

It is a programme that has seen at least £136,000 given to over 40 organisations. With grants ranging from £87 up to £3500, the Parish Council has supported the work of established charities such as SWALLOW and Dial a Ride, organisations such as the Scouts and Brownies, start up projects such as the Westfield Carers’ Café and individual volunteers such as Terracycle champion, Catherine. One project we have been delighted to see develop as a result of grant funding is the Westfield Carers’ Café. Set up with grant funding in 2016/17 and starting out with a few visitors in the new Mardons Club, the café grew in popularity and they returned for grant funding each year to increase and offer extra services for the popular group. During the months of lockdown, the links made through the café were vital for Carers’ Centre to

maxem

eyewear

Husband and Wife team, Vicky and Matt Andrews have over 20 years experience in the optical industry and have opened a dispensing only shop that offers an independent personal service with competitive prices. Dispensing only means that you just need to bring in an up to date prescription to order spectacles. All the spectacle and sunglass frames range from £30 - £70 and coated lenses start from £30 per pair. They are also happy to reglaze any cherished frames, pince-nez or even monocles at no extra charge. Matt has run his own business called Maxem Glazing, providing a service directly to opticians all around the country. Vicky is a fully qualified Dispensing Optician who is on hand for any help and advice that is needed for frame and lens selection. “Westfield Trading Estate was a perfect location for our business. With rent not as high, we can pass this saving onto our customers and offering a parking space just outside the door makes the trip worthwhile.”

maxemeyewear.co.uk

Unit 1, 33 Second Avenue, Westfield Industrial Estate, BA3 4BH Tel: 01761 235802 info@maxemeyewear.co.uk Find us @maxemeyewear

Affordable prices with an independent service. Same day service available. Repair service. Covid measures in place.

Affordable prices with

an independent service. Same day service available. Repair service. Covid measures in place.Please bring in your current prescription.

continue to reach out to the carers with whom they’d made links and this year’s grant helped fund online breaks and activities, activity packs and workers’ time to spend time on the phone with carers who were no longer able to come out to the café. In 2019 the efforts of Catherine in collecting items for reuse by Terracycle came to the attention of the Council. Catherine collects and stores items such as crisp packets, pet food pouches and bread bags which she can send to Terracycle once she has a certain weight of each item. The Council was delighted to promote this scheme to residents as an additional way to recycle and save unnecessary landfill. Catherine suggested that large wheelie bins would be useful for storing the materials until she had enough to send off and the Parish Council grants scheme was able to help by purchasing the bins on her behalf. Catherine was later awarded Inspirational Citizen of 2019-20 for her recycling work. The Grants' pot will open again in July so please spread the word to any group or organisation working in or for the residents of Westfield. For now, we will leave you with a few words of feedback from recipients: “We are hugely grateful for all the support that Westfield Parish Council has given to SWALLOW Charity over a number of years. SWALLOW supports teenagers and adults with learning disabilities and relies on the generosity of individuals and organisations to be able to carry out its work. "Westfield PC have paid for improvements to our meeting rooms, including insulating the ceiling and a new kitchen area. Most recently they have

WISH trip to Babbacombe 2015

G. Mitchard & Sons Family Butcher • eSt. 1913 WeStFielD EVENTS We wish our customers We are pleased to supply our customers with locally farmed meat, poultry, milk and cheeses, home-prepared bacon and cooked meats, our prize-winning pies and sausages, a healthy happy summer and hope to supply all with our excellent choice of BBQ needs PROOF 22nd 23rd and 29th - 31st May: Train Rides -steam hauled by Joyce with a resident Diesel shunter at the rear 29th - 31st May: Family Activities Day 2nd June and 28th July and every Wednesday in August: Wickham Wednesdays with Wickham Trolley rides plus our famous faggots! 20th June: Fathers Day Steam TeasShop opening hours:

Tuesday to Saturday, 7am to 3pm. 2nd - 4th July:

Phone orders taken Mon-Fri 7am-5pm Mixed Traffic Gala with an additional (for collection during above shop opening hours) visiting steam engine or visit our Facebook page Westfield Radstock BA3 3XS www.sdjr.co.uk Tel: 01761 411 221 Tel: 01761 412109 Silver Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2EY

contributed to a new boiler for our centre, the old one was constantly breaking down and now we are toasty warm! Thank you from everyone at SWALLOW!” “P.E.O.P.L.E has been fortunate enough to receive funding from Westfield Parish Council over the years. Receiving grants from the communities in which we work is always important to us and means a great deal. Working with oppressed and marginalised groups often leads to misconception and concerns, Westfield Parish Council have always been able to see beyond a label and recognise the work that we undertake not only supports those with complex and multiple needs, oppressions and social disadvantage, but also provides opportunities for the excluded and contributes towards safer and inclusive communities. We hope that in the years to come we can continue with our positive relationship and achieve the outcomes that fulfil our charitable objectives.” “Swan has received a grant from Westfield Parish Council for a number of years now and it is encouraging to know that our transport service for the elderly, disabled and low income in the community is valued especially when a few of our volunteer drivers live in Westfield.”

“The Westfield Parish grants programme has made it possible for us to bring together local unpaid carers through our Carer Café –reducing the feeling of isolation and helping to develop peer support networks and friendships.”

Pictured below: St Peter's Church 2016 Teddy Bear Nursery 2017 PEOPLE 2017 Community Vehicle 2015

Parish Council grant awards 2015

Westfield Methodist 2016