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BLOGS

BLOGS (Brinnington Local Organised Group Society) was formed after Covid to reduce isolation and improve life for Brinnington residents. Entirely volunteer-run, the group hosts regular community activities like knit and natter, bingo, walks, and warm spaces. The team have also supported local food banks and recently created a communal garden in a tower block, showing the group’s growing impact and pride in making a real difference locally.

What will the Kao SEED Fund support?

The Kao SEED Fund will support the creation of the Peace and Peas Garden—a calm, green space beside the Lighthouse Church for all Brinnington residents to enjoy. With raised beds, green wall fencing for growing vegetables like cucumbers and beans, and peaceful seating areas, the garden will offer a place to relax, grow food, and build community. Volunteers from BLOGS, churchgoers, local schoolchildren, and elderly residents will help develop and care for the garden, with plans for open days and gardening workshops to encourage wider involvement and learning.

Who is the project helping support?

The Peace and Peas Garden will support a wide mix of Brinnington residents, including elderly people, schoolchildren, churchgoers, and care home residents. Over 50 locals have already offered to help, and a survey showed strong demand for a peaceful outdoor space with seating. The garden will provide a place to relax, grow food, and connect with others, while surplus produce will support community lunches, making it both a social and practical resource for the area.

This funding will allow us to buy a printing machine to print our own reusable tote bags for people coming to our food banks and social supermarket to use. The tote bags will also be brilliant for promoting our services too, as well as being more environmentally friendly than plastic bags. We’re so grateful to the Kao SEED Fund for helping us with the funding pot. 

Kelly Gaskill, from Re:Dish

Impact of the project

The Peace and Peas Garden will bring people of all ages and abilities together to create and care for a shared green space. It will offer a peaceful place to relax, promote healthy eating with free fruit and veg, and foster community pride. On fun days, produce like chutneys and jams may be sold to support the project. Impact will be measured through visitor numbers, community feedback, and the amount of food grown and shared.

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If your application is successful, Harlow Council will transfer the grant by BACS.  Bank details (account name, number and sort code) will need to be supplied with a summary of accounts. 

Funding conditions:  If your application is successful, your project must be delivered by 31 December 2026. You will have to return any grant funds if the project is not delivered or the organisation receiving the funding stops operating.

A contract agreement will need to be signed between your organisation and Harlow District Council before any funding is granted.

Monitoring and Evaluation: Grant recipients will be required to provide an end of project report to establish whether the project has met its aims and objectives, as well as to assess the overall impact on participants. Funding for the project is provided on the basis that the Project Evaluation form is returned within the agreed project timescale (no later than 31 January 2027).

Risks and Liabilities: In giving grants the ‘Harlow Council’ will require the supported project organisation or groups to accept all risks and liabilities associated with the activity being supported. This will be a condition of the grant.  Copies of relevant documents may need to be provided if the application has been approved.

Data protection statement – how we will use your information

The Council is committed to handling your personal information in line with the data processing principles.  The Data Protection Legislation and the General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 (GDPR) sets the legal framework for how we collect, handle and process personal data and for your rights as a ‘data subject.’

General Data Protection Regulation:  Personal data provided by you will be processed in accordance with this protocol. For more details, please see https://www.harlow.gov.uk/privacy-notice

Thank you for taking the time to read these guidance notes. If you have any questions, please get in touch with [email protected].

FAQs

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  1. Who can apply?
    The fund is open to not-for-profit community groups and grassroots initiatives based in Stockport.
     
  2. What types of projects are eligible?
    We encourage projects focused on environmental sustainability, community cohesion, and local economic development.
     
  3. How much funding is available?
    Grants range from £500 to £2,500 for pilot projects or to enhance existing initiatives.
     
  4. Is this the sole funding for this project?
    If not, please expand on the additional match funding that you currently have or are in the process of applying for.
     
  5. Are there any restrictions on grants under £500?
    Yes, please note that grants under £500 may be subject to different guidelines or restrictions, which will be communicated upon application.
     
  6. When will we know if our project was selected?
    Notifications will be sent by March 31, 2025.
     
  7. How can I apply for a grant?
    Applications can be submitted through our online portal, where you will find detailed guidelines and forms.
     
  8. What happens if my application is unsuccessful?
    If your application is not successful, we encourage you to seek feedback and consider reapplying in future funding rounds.
     
  9. When is the application deadline?
    Please check our website for the latest application deadlines and any upcoming funding rounds.