July 2009 - Nexus Funding Continues

It has now been confirmed that there will be funding available to groups / organizations seeking to improve access to services in Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire up until March 2010. We are hoping to hold the first panel meeting of the extended programme at the beginning of August 09 (dates to be confirmed).

Nexus aims to fund small-scale project activity which responds to an identified rural community need for increased access to a service, for communities in the Rural Regeneration Zone that perhaps those in more urban areas would take for granted. In particular, the fund is looking to enhance or create the following types of services:

• Health advice

• Leisure

• Information communication technology

• Training and development

• Counselling / support services


As primarily this fund is to support revenue expenditure, priority will be given to projects that:

• Adapt buildings or purchase equipment to provide new services

• Establish or enhance outreach services to improve accessibility for rural communities

Nexus is open to statutory agencies, independent commercial retailers, voluntary and community groups and service providers. Grants from between £250 and £5,000 (capital or revenue) can be accessed to ensure people living in rural wards can access services that are more readily available in urban areas.

All correspondence, queries and requests for support in completing the application form should be directed to Community First who will be providing support to applicants in all 3 counties. Wherever possible Community First will set up surgeries where advice and guidance can be given to applicants regarding their project proposals, eligibility and the application form.

The guidance notes and application form are currently under review to make the application process as smooth and straight forward as possible.

Applications are required to be completed electronically where ever possible and are sent via email as this helps speed up the process and allows communication to take place more quickly and formally. However, this isn’t always possible and is certainly not a determining factor in who gets a grant.

To obtain an electronic copy of the application pack and to express your interest formally, please contact Sophie Mead, Grants Administration Officer, Community First on 01684 312734


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