A Sefton Coronation Fund is due to provide £15,000 for local community groups to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III with street parties across the borough.
The scheme will be operated by Sefton CVS and Sefton Council, with numerous events due to take place in Southport, Bootle, Crosby, Formby and across Sefton between 6th May and 8th May 2023.
Sefton Council is due to offer £7,500 to the project.
Sefton CVS has already secured funding from Sefton4Good and Living Well Sefton of £4,000. The organisation is making an approach to the Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund to see whether it will also match fund the project and increase the amount to be distributed as it did for the Platinum Jubilee for Queen Elizanbth II last summer.
In his report, Sefton Council Assistant Director of People (Communities) Simon Burnett said:
“Following on from the successful coordination of a grants programme for the Sefton Platinum Jubilee, Sefton CVS is looking to establish a Sefton Coronation Fund in partnership with Sefton Council to create a grants programme enabling local community groups to participate and deliver social and community activities in recognition of the accession to the throne of HM The King Charles III.
“This is an opportunity for community groups in the borough of Sefton to engage in a unique national celebration in local neighbourhoods and communities and to bring residents together to celebrate and promote community cohesion and civic pride during this special year.
“The grants programme will fund the delivery of community projects and events, either throughout the year and, specifically, to undertake activities and events on the Coronation Central Weekend 6-8 May 2023.”
The focus of the fund will be:
- Delivery of social activities and community events in celebration of the coronation that bring communities together e.g. street parties, community lunches, afternoon teas, as part of the Coronation Big Lunches being promoted nationally.
- Initiatives to promote the Big Help Out on Monday 8th May and activities encouraging local volunteering in neighbourhoods.
- Projects and activities that recognise local and national community heritage and civic pride.
- Activities that promote diversity and inclusion engendering community cohesion.
- Arts, music, environmental projects, with the emphasis on festival and celebration.
- Intergenerational activities e.g. youth groups linking up with isolated older people.
Grants will range from £100-£1,000.
With a total estimated grant pot of £15,000, Sefton CVS estimates that at least 30 projects could be funded across the borough.
Sefton CVS will also look to encourage sustainable and legacy actions from the projects that are stimulated.
Using the grant application processes that Sefton CVS already has in place, if successful, it aims to launch the fund in March; close applications end of March and the Sefton4GoodGrants Panel, chaired by the Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, consider applications in the first week of April with applicants notified in the second week of April.
Applicants will be asked to participate in a social media campaign promoting the Sefton coronation celebrations and share their stories with CVS and Sefton Council.
Applicants must be groups operating and based in Sefton and either a registered charity, or a constituted community organisation.
Simon Burnett said:
“Many residents are experiencing extreme loneliness and isolation, with severe impacts on their mental wellbeing and mobility; financial hardship; bereavement, due to legacy of Covid and currently the Cost of Living crisis.
“Local VCF sector groups are delivering social and community activity projects both in their centres, community gardens, local public green space, streets, with the emphasis on building connections and relationships between neighbours and friends, of all generations and providing vital support to residents facing financial hardship.
“Through Sefton CVS forums and networks and direct engagement with groups looking to fund activities, communities are looking to events such as the coronation to restore and rebuild communities, make new connections and have an opportunity to socialise and reduce loneliness by coming together again.”
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