The Government introduced Community Learning Chests in April 2002 targeted within the identified 88 most deprived areas in England. They are small grants of between £50 and £5,000 to help both individuals and groups play an active role in neighbourhood renewal through learning. Unlike many organisations in the public and private sector, community and voluntary organisations often lack the money to access training, learning and advice.

The Chest will fund activities to develop the skills and knowledge of communities participating in neighbourhood renewal at a local level. Examples of eligible funding activities might include:

• exchange visit to/from a similar group in another town to share good practice;
  
• participation activities that aim to develop community leadership;
  
• advice from regional advisors and residents consultancies;
  
• subscriptions to journals on neighbourhood renewal or similar issues;
  
• training programme/learning opportunity for a group’s committee or members;
  
• purchasing reference books and current research around best practice;
  
• training to help people join community networks or strategic partnerships;
  
• travel costs to attending appropriate events for learning opportunities.

In Rotherham, the Community Learning Chest is administered by Voluntary Action Rotherham on behalf of the Community Development and Involvement Partnership within the Rotherham Partnership. Already many individuals, organisations and community groups have benefited from the funding.

Further information about the Community Learning Chest in Rotherham is available from Voluntary Action Rotherham. Contact Debbie Heath, Community Development and Involvement Partnership Manager:

Telephone: 01709 829821
E.mail: debbie.heath@varotherham.org.uk