Curo, the Bath-based housing association and house-builder, provided a total of £10,010 through twenty-two Communities Grants to support local projects and events over the past year.
A Curo grant supported residents to create a memorial garden at Phoenix House | Photo © Curo
The grants have helped to fund a range of projects, from children’s football teams and short breaks for children with disabilities to a Jubilee tea party and a memorial garden.
One of the projects that benefited from a Communities Grant was Stratton United, a youth football team based in Radstock.
The team was able to purchase essential items, such as new playing kits and rain jackets for players, with the £500 grant they received.
Volunteer coach Simon said: “We’re massively grateful to Curo’s Communities Grants and their support of local grassroots youth football.
“After a straightforward application process, we were awarded £500 towards the cost of new playing kits and rain jackets for players.
“This meant the team could look smart, without having to ask parents for money and risk children from disadvantaged backgrounds not feeling part of the team because of the cost of a kit.”
Another project that was supported with a grant was Action for Children, which provided activities such as swimming and bowling for 11 young Curo residents with disabilities during school holidays.
Nina Rice, Senior Corporate Partnership Manager at Action for Children, said: “These trips and activities give our children with disabilities new skills and experiences to help them thrive, encourage independence and fulfil their potential.”
The Invent It! Bath Young Inventor of the Year Award 2023 also benefited from funding.
The project aims to teach children about local inventors and help them design their own inventions.
Katie O’Brien, a Curo resident who helped create the project, said: “The project is all about bringing the community together to recognise the history of Bath’s inventors, while taking pride in our surroundings.
“We’re holding free community engagement events at the Museum of Bath at Work and 44AD art space for residents to participate in, helping to build connections with their community.”
Other projects that received funding from Curo included a memorial garden at Phoenix House in Bath, which is now a peaceful place for residents to relax, and a tea party in Odd Down to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee last June.
Resident Viv Fear, who applied for the grant, said: “The event was important in bringing elderly residents together to enjoy each other’s company after the lockdowns of the pandemic.”
