Great Yarmouth Borough Council offers funding to help celebrate local culture

The funding is being provided via the Cultural Connections Volunteering project, a new, inclusive volunteering project running across Great Yarmouth and East Suffolk, focused on creating a volunteer network that offers fun, rewarding and interesting volunteering opportunities for everyone.

The Cultural Connections Volunteering project is funded by Spirit 2012's* Volunteering Cities fund. In addition, Great Yarmouth and East Suffolk Councils have each provided £30,000 of match funding to deliver the Activation Grant Fund.

With a focus on celebrating local culture and community engagement, the fund is offering grants of £500 to help bring creative ideas to life. This initiative is designed to encourage local residents, community groups and organisations to unleash their creative potential and support cultural community events from the grassroots up.

Putting the community and locals at the heart of the events, residents are encouraged to come together initiate and support events that people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds will be able to enjoy.

Events could include the highlighting of traditions, arts or cuisine of the Great Yarmouth community, art exhibitions or installations that promote local talent and creativity or performances, such as dance, music or theatre productions.

Recently, Cultural Connections Volunteering was delighted to have supported and to have contributed funding to the first-ever Gorleston Pride event at the Pavillion Theatre and Bandstand. The event brought together the LGBTQ+ community and supporters and showcased the beautiful Edwardian Pavilion Theatre.

Councillor Emma Flaxman-Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Communities at Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: "Culture is a powerful force for bringing people together and enriching our community.

"The Activation Grant is more than just financial support; it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact on our community and celebrate what makes Great Yarmouth a unique and vibrant place to call home."

The Activation Grant is available to informal groups of residents, as well as established groups and organisations. To apply for a £500 grant for a cultural community event, whether that's a street party, an arts or crafts event or an event that unifies diverse cultures, contact hello@culturalconnectionsvolunteering.org.uk or Steve Lunniss on 07471 026777.