People urged to apply for Cultural Connections volunteering grants

Cultural Connections, launched by Great Yarmouth Borough Council and East Suffolk Council, has opened up applications for local Accessibility Grants of up to £2,000.

The money can go towards anything that makes volunteering more accessible, such as funding for transport or bus journeys, a paid translator, paid childcare for hours for people who want to volunteer, accessibility equipment and much more.

And organisations and charities which have ideas for ways in which volunteering can be more accessible, as well as individuals who need extra support around volunteering, are urged to contact the Cultural Connections team to discuss the grants.

The project also has funding available to support the delivery of community events which enhance local arts, culture or heritage. Large or small, these events can also receive grants of up to £500.

Dean Wilson, Great Yarmouth Borough Council's community capacity manager, said: ''The benefits of volunteering can be huge. It can have an extremely beneficial impact on people's lives and in the wider community.

''Volunteering creates a sense of belonging that is empowering, educational and can even contribute toward future employment. We would urge people to consider applying for the grants we have available at Cultural Connections and also look at the wider options for volunteering the project offers.''

The Great Yarmouth Borough Council and East Suffolk Council Cultural Connections Volunteering initiative was launched in 2023 and is funded by Spirit 2012. It aims to reduce barriers and increase engagement into volunteering by linking volunteers to a variety of local opportunities related to arts, culture and heritage.

It focuses on individuals' strengths and needs when matching people to volunteering roles. Its team offers support throughout people's volunteering journey.

Since the scheme was launched, more than 200 people have registered onto the Cultural Connections Volunteering project. Organisations have been supported to fill more than 40 volunteering opportunities.

Find out more about Cultural Connections at culturalconnectionsvolunteering.org.uk/welcome or call the team on 07469 408205 or 07471 026777 or via email at hello@culturalconnectionsvolunteering.org.uk.