Fifteen local organisations providing support to young people and community projects have been awarded grants from Bath & North East Somerset Council's Community Contribution Fund.

The scheme enables residents to make voluntary donations to support local communities and reduce inequalities across Bath and North East Somerset.

In its inaugural year, more than £25k was donated to the fund with charities and voluntary and community groups invited to apply for funding last autumn. A cross party panel of elected members assessed the applications, with the following grants awarded:

• Billy Chip CIC - £2,000 to provide starter packs to local cafes and takeaways to expand their scheme which supports rough sleepers to buy food and hot drinks.
• Bravo Medics - £1,160 towards their critical care response supporting the ambulance service in BANES.
• Chew and Yeo Baptist Network - £1,500 for building improvements to The Link community hub.
• Farrington MTB Track - £500 to upgrade Farrington's existing BMX/MBT track.
• First Steps - £1,800 to support the provision of free meals and snacks to children from low-income families.
• Mentoring Plus - £1,350 to train volunteers to be mentors for young people.
• Nova Sports and Coaching - £2,000 towards the hire of venues and equipment and to fund volunteer costs to enable children and adults with learning and physical disabilities to access and play sport.
• Off the Record BANES - £2,000 to help raise awareness of their services for young people in Keynsham.
• Peasedown Community Trust - £2,000 for mental health support sessions and events.
• Percy Community Centre - £1,500 towards setting up a play group for low-income families with food provided.
• Southside Family Project - £1,925.00 to support an after-school 'Family Food Hub' group in Radstock.
• Swan Advice Network - £1,500 to help pay fuel costs for volunteer drivers providing transport for those on low incomes, unable to access buses or afford taxis.
• Trauma Recovery Centre - £2,000 for therapy sessions for children on low-incomes.
• We Hear You - £2,000 for counselling sessions for people affected by cancer or other life-threatening conditions.
• Young Bristol - £2,000 in support of their Youth Club on Wheels in Chew Valley.

Councillor Richard Samuel, cabinet member for Economic Development and Resources said: "I'd like to thank residents for their generosity. Your money has gone to some very worthy projects. As the cost of living rises, it's vital we continue to support the charities, voluntary and community groups working to reduce inequalities and improve the lives of the most disadvantaged in our communities."

The pilot has proved so successful it's being extended for a further year. An invitation to contribute to the fund accompanied the Council Tax bills sent to residents in March. Contributions are purely voluntary and separate to residents' Council Tax contributions. The minimum contribution is £5, however there is no maximum contribution and residents can donate more than once.

Every penny donated to the Community Contribution Fund supports local projects to improve people's lives, particularly those in our most disadvantaged communities

The intention is to open the fund to charities, voluntary and community groups for a second funding round in Autumn 2022, should sufficient funds be raised.

To find out more, or to make a contribution visit the Community Contribution Fund webpage.