Small Grants Scheme
The Small Grants Scheme is a funding programme for community projects that support our mission to uncover, showcase and celebrate the heritage of London’s largest industrial area.
Launched in January 2019, as part of the Great Place Scheme (funded by Arts Council England and Heritage Lottery Fund), the initiative offers local stakeholders the opportunity to bid for sums of between £500 and £5,000 to deliver their projects - through this we aim to embed arts, culture and heritage into the regeneration planned for Old Oak and Park Royal, as well as mobilise and support volunteering across the area.
Supporting grass-roots initiatives
The Small Grants Scheme was designed to support grass-roots initiatives and less-established community organisations. Within the Small Grants Scheme throughout 2019 - 2021, we awarded over 50 community groups two types of grants, totalling around £100,000:
Arts and Heritage Grants
Launched in January 2019, these grants were designed to support community arts, culture and heritage projects taking place in Old Oak and Park Royal, led by those living and working in the area.
Community Volunteering Grants
Through our work with GLA’s London Community Response team during Covid-19, we identified a need among community organisations, resident associations and mutual aid groups for support and expertise in areas such as: applying for grant funding, volunteer training, governance, safeguarding, equipment and expenses such as fuel for food deliveries.
In early 2022, we opened another round of funding to continue the legacy of the Great Place Scheme and awarded approximately £145,000 to 21 local organisations.
The 22/23 programme supported a breadth of organisations and beneficiaries:
1. Creative book writing/production, maths tuition, kayaking and summer clubs and activities (Abundance Arts).
2. A-Z of artists and culture in the Old Oak and Park Royal area, building on a community zine in 2021 (A Look Into).
3. Theatre projects working with young people to deliver FGM performances at local schools (Arc Theatre).
4. Artist studios hosting an Open Weekend for local residents and families (ArtWest).
5. Waste collection and sculpting project (Blast Studio).
6. Production of East Acton Times – a local newspaper created by the community for the community (Bubble & Squeak).
7. Creative industries networking programme to improve young people’s personal support network and wellbeing (Fashion Rebirth).
8. Creative radio broadcast and networking programme for underrepresented communities in the music industry (Girls I Rate).
9. Food bank, gardening club and day trips (John Keble Primary School).
10. Music making programme for mental health working with Central Middlesex Hospital (Key Changes).
11. Series of music events in Park Royal for local workers, business owners and residents post lockdown (Kommun Sound).
12. London Borough of Brent is developing a programme of activity which aims to shine a spotlight on creative practitioners based in Park Royal and foster strong relationships between them and creative practitioners based elsewhere in the borough. This programme is intended to take place in summer 2023. (LB Brent).
13. Drama programme for children in Old Oak working with schools exploring the negative impact from COVID (Lyric Hammersmith).
14. Intergenerational arts project with creative artwork/banner production and graffiti knit (Old Oak Primary School).
15. Cultural Centre workshops, residencies, events and artists' film screenings (Queensrolla House).
16. Series of skill development workshops connecting Park Royal with the community to generate interest in design and making (Rafael El Baz).
17. After school, holiday and online workshops in 3D printing, football, roller skating, radio production, mentoring, photography and podcasting to increase youth education & career opportunities, safety and health and fitness (Revo Seccus).
18. Cultural development & dance programme (Society Dance Academy).
19. Charity specialising in working with the local Somalian community, offering online training/awareness courses to those with English not as their first language (Somali Advice Forum of Information).
20. Annual Film Festival supporting the conservation area’s filming history and heritage (The Island Triangle Residents Association).
21. Intergenerational ‘Wildlife on the Scrubs’, eco walks and workshops programme (Urbanwise London).
Getting involved
Applications for funding are currently closed.
Interested parties will be notified once funding becomes available for 2023/24 and advised on what the small grants could be used for. Please email [email protected] to register your interest
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