The Local Solutions Community Empowerment Fund provides grants up to £2,000 to support local individuals and voluntary groups that will make a positive on our communities.
Local Solutions, a charity celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, delivers services to support individuals, families and communities across the Liverpool City Region and North Wales.
50 years of Local Solutions is a good occasion to not only celebrate and to look back proudly, but also to remember the history of the charity. Back in 1974, the late David Shone founded Merseyside Council of Voluntary Service (MCVS). Over the years MCVS was involved in running many projects and services including the National Youth Training Scheme, Disability Resource Unit, Keep Warm, Merseyside Accommodation Project, City Linx, Homeground, Liverpool Watersports and Shopmobility.
The year 2000 brought many changes including the transitioning of MCVS to what we now know as Local Solutions. Since then, we have seen services grow and prosper such as; Homeground, supporting homeless young people with skills and accommodation. Liverpool Watersports Centre, offering a diverse range of affordable and fun watersport activities at Liverpool Queens Dock and Shopmobility, supporting people with mobility restrictions through the loan of mobility equipment.
As the years have gone by Local Solutions is now supporting even more communities and individuals across the City Region.
Local Solutions is driven by the desire to help people to achieve their own goals, empower them to make their own choices and fulfil their own potential. The variety of services offered is vast, supporting as many people who need their help including; domiciliary care service Homeground, Bullybusters, Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVA), Supported Lodgings, Carers Centre, AIMS, Mytime.
The announcement of the Community Empowerment Fund is part of a commitment Local Solutions is making to empower change and maximise the potential of communities across the region through a £50k social impact investment.
The voluntary and community sector provides invaluable support to local people to help them overcome challenges, reduce inequalities, and improve quality of life. The Local Solutions’ Community Empowerment Fund will continue to increase opportunities for Liverpool City Region individuals and voluntary groups to deliver services that make a difference to people’s lives.
The grants will support smaller projects, ideas and initiatives that come through, or inspire, voluntary social action, rather than to fund larger established charities and community groups.
Tom Harrison, CEO at Local Solutions said: “This year marks our 50th anniversary and during the last five decades, Local Solutions work has evolved and expanded, but one thing that has never changed is our commitment to support individuals and communities to achieve their goals and fulfil their potential.
“Support for the community and voluntary sector across the Liverpool City Region is a key part of our commitment to empower change.
“We hope this fund will provide individuals and groups with opportunities to make a difference in their own communities.”
The Community Empowerment Fund has now been launched and is open for applications.
Application forms can be downloaded at www.localsolutions.org.uk/community-empowerment-fund
Applications are open to individuals and groups living within the Liverpool City Region to support projects and activities that encourage empowerment and inclusivity.
We do not fund groups, clubs, societies, communities and charities with an annual income of over £20,000. Activities that are illegal – debts, gambling, political etc or applications for projects we have previously funded.
For more information please visit www.localsolutions.org.uk/community-empowerment-fund or email CEF@localsolutions.org.uk
