Gateshead Council’s cabinet has approved the distribution of over £320,000 to community organisations as part of the Community Chest Programme. 

The cabinet signed off the distribution of the cash between 24 community groups in Gateshead. The Community Chest Programme forms part of the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, consisting of £2.6bn for local causes across the country. 

Voluntary or community groups were open to apply for up to £20,000 to deliver various projects, ranging from art workshops, special educational needs respite services, and outreach worker salaries, to feasibility studies for sports groups. 

The council considered 71 applications in all between the bid window from November 8 to December 18 last year.

According to council documents: “The funding is an opportunity to boost productivity and enhance employment opportunities, tackle inequalities, and deliver real change for Gateshead communities, places, people and communities.” 

The successful organisations and amounts include: 

The Soundroom Community Music Project: £10,000

Edberts House: £37,300

Springwell Community Hub: £10,000

Chopwell Regeneration CIO: £10,000

Teams and Bensham Community Care: £10,000

Bensham Grove Community Centre: £10,000

Love Dunston: £8,999

GEM Arts: £10,000

Recovery Connections: £9,265

Methodist Homes: £29,265

Peace of Mind £9,984

Tyne and Wear Against Unemployment: £9,900

Dunston Family Church: £20,000

Jewish Community Council of Gateshead: £10,000

NE Youth Ltd: £7,775

Tyneside Woman’s Health: £9,628

Blaydon Youth and Community Centre: £10,000

Blue Cabin CIO: £10,000

Ryton and Crawcrook Albion Youth Football Club: £19,020

The Comfrey Project CIO: £29,907

Handcrafted Project: £10,000

Low Fell Ukes: £9,720

Our North East: £9,265

Kibblesworth and Lamesley Community Sports Club: £9,730

42 applications from various organisations across Gateshead were also rejected for funding, many on the basis that the bids did not meet funding criteria.