Andy Munns
People are being encouraged to apply for grants of up to £10k to help increase the number of opportunities and activities across Wiltshire for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and or Disabilities (SEND).
Wiltshire Council has invited groups, organisations and individuals to apply for funding which can be used to help fund resources and materials such as a club or activity programme or help create new opportunities.
The deadline for submissions is 22 January 2023.
Previous grants awarded last year contributed towards new playground equipment and two new stay and play groups.
The small grants scheme was established after parental feedback and aim to create more opportunities for children and young people with SEND in their local communities, providing greater access to clubs, activities and other groups. The approach is aligned with the council’s business plan to ensure children and young people have the best start in life and to provide opportunities for all young people to engage in wider society and the council.
Cllr Jane Davies, Cabinet Member for SEND, said: “Anyone can apply for these grants. The main requirement is to increase the availability of opportunities and activities for children and young people with SEND in your area.
“We have some great examples of clubs and activities where having this additional funding has meant schemes can buy additional play equipment for their SEND programmes.
“For example, in Barford St Martin’s, they were able to purchase additional SEN equipment so children with SEND can play alongside their peers safely.
“Parents’ and carers’ thoughts and ideas are a key thread running through our current SEND strategy, and their feedback led to us setting up this pot of funding.
We now want more groups and programmes to benefit from this funding so please get in touch with your ideas of how it can be best used for SEN children and young people in your area.”
For more information about the scheme, including how to apply, please visit Small Grants Scheme – Local Offer or contact CandF.Commissioning@wiltshire.gov.uk
