Brighton Pride hands out grants to community groups

The Social Impact Fund is in its second year, and through its grants it aims to give a little helping hand to making a difference in communities across the city, from Whitehawk in the east to Portslade in the west.

Its mission statement is to bring a rainbow of happiness to communities in Brighton and Hove - in much the same way Pride does for more than 300,000 people who attend events in August.

Tim Ridgway, who sits on the Pride Social Impact Fund board, said: “We are grateful to all those who applied for the fund this year, as well as the panel for giving up their time to award the sums.

“There was a huge amount of diversity in the bids and the panel has tried very hard to make sure that every community and area of the city benefits in some way.

“We know that- in these difficult uncertain times, this money will make all the difference to some of the amazing groups and organisations doing great things in our beautiful city.”

Bids were considered by a panel made up of representatives from the local media, including the Brighton and Hove Independent.

Among the groups to benefit were the Tarner Community Project, which has received £1,000 towards providing a drop-in centre for a group of young people not in employment, education or training.

A further £1,000 will go towards supporting the LGBT History Big Top event, due to take place in New Steine throughout February.

One of the groups to benefit is city-based creative writing charity Little Green Pig, which was awarded £500 towards a project aimed creating a unique travel guide to Brighton and Hove.

Emily Hogan, of Little Green Pig, said: “It is fantastic that money raised by the public is going back into something which celebrates our city and the children that live here, and we are most grateful for the support.”

Other grants saw a sum of £495 awarded to the Friends of Farm Green to bring a mobile farm to Bevendean during the June half term, while the residents of Ardingly Court will get a new lawnmower and garden shredder thanks to a grant of £300.

Bob Hammond, of Ardingly Court Residents’ Association, said: “Pride has been having a positive impact on Brighton for many years, and it’s great to see them also having a positive impact on local communities.

“The residents of Ardingly are all extremely grateful to have received funds, which will go towards gardening equipment and tools, so that residents can keep active whilst doing the gardening they love. They can also once again have Pride in the garden they create.”

Further awards were made to Dottie’s Cafe, which provides employment to deaf people in East Brighton Park; Friends of Regency Square, to establish an exhibition in the subway linking their area to the sea; and the Mile Oak Recreation Action group, which is trying to refurbish an open space in the heart of a Portslade community.

Tiffany Soanes, chairman of the Mile Oak Rec Action Group, said: “We are really looking forward to using the money to help us create a community garden for all of the local residents to enjoy for years to come.

“Creating an inviting and attractive green space that is free for local residents to enjoy at any time of the year is a valuable addition to any community and will help to regenerate this previously ‘forgotten park’.

“We are also hoping to get local residents involved with the creation and maintenance of this garden as part of our healthy neighbourhood initiative.”

The Pride Social Impact Fund (SIF) is in its second year and is separate to the Rainbow Fund, which also raises money from Pride but supports LGBT causes.

The SIF aims to support those groups or organisations which need a helping hand in making a difference in their community.

They do not have to be LGBT related; they don’t even have to directly-linked to Pride (although applicants directly impacted will be favoured).

However big or small, the only criteria is that it will brighten up people’s lives by the time Pride comes round again next year.

Funding comes from contributions made by businesses within the St James’s Street Party area.

Paul Kemp, of Brighton Pride, said: “Pride fundraising aims to both the Rainbow fund and the new Social impact fund are central to the delivery of Pride each year.

“Pride must thank the panel of local media editors who independently assess the community grant applications, it’s great to see such a diverse group of organisations applying for grants.

“We hope that the grants have a positive outcome for groups and projects that might not otherwise have support or receive funding elsewhere.”

He added: “Pride is only able to deliver this fundraising with the help of local businesses who contribute to the fund and take part in the Pride village party.

“We’d like to encourage more local businesses across the city who benefit from the bumper weekend of business Pride brings into the city, to get involved with our fundraising efforts for all our communities.”

Successful bids

- Brighton and Hove Speakers’ Corner, £250 to support five events;

- Ardingly Court Residents Association, £300 for new lawn mower and a garden shredder;

- The OWL HOUSE, £250 towards co-housing project for Older Wiser Lesbians;

- Tarner Community Project, £1,000 towards drop in session for young people not in education, employment or training;

- David Harper of 4Streets in Hove, £250 towards community street parties, street events and open-air cinema;

- Dottie’s community cafe in East Brighton Park, £300 towards running cafe which employs deaf people;

- Friends of Preston Park, £500 towards Easter Egg quiz and hunt and £500 towards Halloween event;

- Little Green Pig creative writing charity, £500 towards a videographer;

- Stay Up Late, £1,000 to allow the group to develop Gig Buddies project and LGBT outreach work;

- Friends of Regency Square, £250 towards purchase of an information board and tunnel exhibition near the i360;

- LGBT Community Safety Forum, £1,000 towards LGBT History Big Top Event;

- Marta Scott Dance Company, £500 towards helping disadvantaged or abused women develop confidence through dancing;

- Friends of Farm Green, £495 for mobile farm to come to Bevendean park during half term;

- Mile Oak Rec Action Group (M.O.R.A.G), £815 towards improving the park for all the community and allow access to children’s playground.