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Aims/priorities: The Robin Estill Fund has been established to promote the general wellbeing and therapeutic benefits of the arts in relation to supporting people with mental health, autism, and or learning disability needs who live in Tameside. The fund is managed and administered by Action Together.
Applications will be welcomed from Tameside Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) groups who provide support to Tameside people with mental health difficulties, a learning disability and/or autism which have identified the potential of creative opportunities in music, drama, photography, poetry and literature to support people to make social connections and learn new skills. The fund will also welcome applications from Tameside arts-based VCSE groups who work to improve access and involvement in the arts of those with mental health difficulties, learning disabilities and/or autism For the purposes of the fund, the arts refers to all creative arts and crafts (including, but not limited to: creative writing, visual arts, performing arts and all crafts). Proposals involving all levels of artistic activity will be welcomed from beginner sessions with a teacher through to art therapy or working with professional artists on significant artistic projects.
Each application for funding will be assessed on its own merits but preference will be given to those applications that demonstrate many of the following features:
- Involves people with lived experience in co-producing the proposal and in delivery.
- Promotes the inclusion of Tameside people with mental health, autism, and/or learning disability needs in the arts.
- Enables people to access mainstream arts activities as well as ‘specialist’ ones.
- Encourages talent in those it supports to reach their full potential.
- Supports sustainability and self-funding activities beyond the lifespan of the grant.
- Brings diverse people together to build more resilient communities and remove cultural barriers.
- Is open to people living anywhere in Tameside.
- Demonstrates evidence of impact in line with the three big outcomes of the Tameside and Glossop Living Life Well Mental Health Transformation Programme. These are: People are connected and able to participate equally in Society, People are able to recover and live life well, and People have control over their lives.
Who can apply? Charities and or VCFSE organisations which support individuals who live in, or groups who operate within the Tameside footprint.
Grant amount: Grants of up to £1000, £10,000 and £25,000 will be awarded to VCFSE agencies for projects/programmes that are directed towards young people (14+) and adults (with no upper age limit).
Application process: Application forms can be downloaded here. Completed applications must be submitted to investments@actiontogether.org.uk. Please note that applicants may be invited to a virtual/face to face meeting to discuss their proposal with the decision making panel.
Deadline: 15 July 2021 (12 noon)
Contact information: Tel 0161 339 2345, Email roma.hashim@actiontogether.org.uk