Churches secure funds from Norwich council
 Norwich City Council and the churches of the city have been working together in new ways that have enabled at least two churches to receive, and be in line for, substantial grants to help with their work.
The main area of co-operation has taken place within the Council’s Community Unit.
St Luke’s Church on Aylsham Road has a lunch Club that has been meeting for 20 years. The kitchens where their food was prepared, and the room where they ate was becoming increasingly unfit for purpose.
The Council assisted the club to form itself in such a way as it was eligible for City Council grants, and subsequently it received an award for £5,000.
“We like to see clubs and organisations empowered,” said Ian Leather, the Community Liaison officer at the council. “In the case of St Luke’s lunch club we helped them form a constitution, which then made them eligible for a grant like any other club. We are delighted that they have been able to transform their accommodation.”
St Augustine’s is another case in point. They have been working with the council to ensure that The St Augustine’s Community Together Residents Association fulfilled the criteria that enabled them to operate as a bona fide community group.
The result has been a huge success, with the group attracting over 30 people at each of its quarterly meetings, as well as being in line for a £5,000 grant to run a Carnival for the local area next year.
“The council could not have been most helpful,” said Nicholas Vesey, vicar of St Augustine’s, and deputy chairman of the community group.
“As a result of their work we can operate on a level playing field with all the various grant-awarding agencies. We regularly have the police, council officials, and members at our meetings, and the area is definitely improving.”
If churches wish to explore the possibility of working with the council on any project, they should contact Ian Leather on 01603 212107.
Nicholas Vesey is also available for advice on 01603 416973.
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