Community Fund round one
Sixteen projects have been successful in their application to round one of the Community Fund (previously called the Village Planning Fund). A total of £826,750 will be awarded to community projects across the borough.
Project: Toy Box Scheme - Successful
Group: Pictologue
Amount requested: £15,000
Pictologue’s toy library service is for children and young people who have communication needs and disabilities, to improve play and interaction between siblings, peers and friends. Funding is requested to increase toy library services within the local community. New delivery services such as click and collect, home and school deliveries and an online rental management system will be set-up. A dedicated team of volunteers will be trained and toy box groups set-up within the community led by specialist therapists demonstrating inclusive play.
Project: Extension of Richmond Gymnastics Association - Successful
Group: Richmond Gymnastics Association
Amount requested: £100,000
RGA is requesting funding for capital expenditure to extend the Townmead Road premises to provide better quality training space, expand its existing facilities and to increase capacity. The current facilities are operating at full capacity and the club currently has circa 3,000 children on its waiting list. The extension will consist of new changing rooms, a new larger façade facing onto Townmead Road and a revised internal layout of the gym.
Project: North Road Surgery Relocation- Successful
Group: North Road Surgery, Kew
Amount requested: £30,000
The NHS and CCG have approved the relocation of Kew’s existing doctor’s surgery into a new purpose built medical facility within the new Emerald Gardens development. In order for the relocation to proceed, funding is required for the provision of ‘loose furniture’ such as desks, waiting room chairs, draws and cabinets.
Project: Digitising KNA: Connecting the future - Successful
Group: Kew Neighbourhood Association
Amount requested: £9,660
Funding is requested to commission a new interactive website, professional training package and re-branding of KNA focusing on engaging new volunteers, advertising new services and attracting new clients. A tailored training package will be developed that specifically meets the needs of KNA's volunteers and clients. The aim is to show residents what KNA can do for those that rely on the service and also showcase what being a volunteer is all about. KNA’s volunteers support over 180 people with mobility difficulties living in Kew through driving, shopping, gardening and providing companionship.
Project: Disability Access and Improvements - Successful
Group: Vineyard Community Centre
Amount requested: £99,000
Funding is requested for capital improvements to provide disability access, both internally and externally, to the Vineyard Life church and the Vineyard Community Centre. A disability toilet will be provided that is accessible at street level. The non-compliant stairs to the charity shop, church entrance and offices will be replaced, along with resurfacing of the entrance passage. A wheelchair lift will be installed which will allow access to existing function spaces. Removal of existing barriers to the external forecourt will improve buggy parking, plus the addition of night time lighting.
Project: Richmond Town Centre Improvements - Successful
Group: Richmond BID
Amount requested: £350,000
The main aim of the Richmond BID is to enhance the look and function of Richmond Town by introducing key gateway enhancements, improving the urban realm and reducing street clutter. Greater priority will be given to pedestrians and cyclists by; addressing pedestrian pinch points, upgrading crossings and developing provision for cycle parking. The function of the bus station will be improved along with signage and way-finding and improved consolidation of deliveries and servicing.
Project: Kew Community Noticeboard - Successful
Group: Kew Society
Amount requested: £3,322
Funding is requested for a 3 sided community notice board that will increase the capacity for community groups to advertise events and activities. The notice board will be managed by Kew Society with the aim of promoting activities and events that are going on in Kew and local clubs and groups.
Project: The Barnes Men's Shed - Successful
Group: Barnes Community Association, Castelnau Community Project and FiSH Neighbourhood Care
Amount requested: £10,000
Funding is requested for the purchase of a large shed. The Barnes Men's Shed project aims to diminish social isolation by providing men (and women) with activities, space and an opportunity to come together and form social networks whilst re-engaging with or learning new skills. A range of wood and metal working projects will be available such as building bird boxes to be placed around The Barnes Trail.
Project: Rebuild of Petersham and Ham Sea Scouts building - Successful
Group: Petersham and Ham Sea Scouts
Amount requested: £50,000
The aim of the project is to provide a brand new modern and efficient sea scout building to allow for increased capacity for young people and community groups to use the facility for sporting activities. The rebuild would extend the boating activities by offering separate shower/facilities for boys and girls and a longer season of boating. The improved building will also allow for disabled access which will widen the use by young people with additional needs, especially from nearby Strathmore School pupils.
Project: St Andrew’s Church Hall Refurbishment - Successful
Group: St Andrew’s Church
Amount requested: £45,000
Funding is required for a refurbishment of the church hall in order to provide a useful facility for the next 15 to 20 years. One of the key aims of the church is to promote the hall as a community facility and there are presently 11 non-church user groups using the hall, as well as regular bookings for parties, receptions and AGM’s. All church events and activities are open to all in the community.
Project: Feasibility study for cycle route between Richmond and Kingston - Successful
Group: Ham and Petersham Neighbourhood Forum
Amount requested: £25,000
This project is for the feasibility study for a Kingston to Richmond cycle route through Ham and Petersham which would enable people with a range of ages and abilities to be able to cycle safely and comfortably to local schools, shops and neighbouring town centres. It would be accessible all year round and unaffected by flooding enabling cycling as a regular, safe and reliable form of transport. It will also be a walking route.
Project: Landmark Welcome Project - Successful
Group: Landmark Arts Centre
Amount requested: £12,870
The aim of this project is to transform the woodland entrance to the Arts Centre. This project will include the creation of a new segregated pedestrian access, the clearance of self-seeded saplings and undergrowth and planting a variety of new plant species. The project will also create a pathway through the woodland area with seating, information board and space for outdoor arts activities. It will also increase cycle parking.
Project: A Place To Go - Funded through Civic Pride
Group: Hampton Hill United Reform Church
Amount requested: £5,000
The Church is in the process of developing their building to form a ‘Place to go’, a community centre for Hampton Hill. This bid seeks a £5,000 contribution towards the latest elements; a staircase to an upper floor and a refitted kitchen. The ‘Place to go’ Project has already led to new study rooms and meeting places, and the new phase will extend existing facilities to meet the expanding demand from the Church and local user groups.
Project: Radnor Gardens Café protective awning - Successful
Group: Friends of Radnor Gardens
Amount requested: £20,000
The erection of a pergola awning on the existing Radnor Gardens Café to provide all year round weather protection. The café is placed next to the playground and bowling green, but at present is limited to summer opening only due the lack of shelter. The café provides a community hub and the awning would be beneficial to both young and old to further enjoy the café facility.
Project: Refurbish the IT suite in the Twickenham Wellbeing Centre - Successful
Group: Age UK Richmond
Amount requested: £6,000
The funding would be required for the purchase of 3 laptops and 3 tablets, removal and replacement of furniture, redecoration and replacement of carpet. When the IT suite has been completed it will offer a plethora of IT activities to the whole community that will include: regular drop-in sessions & 1:1 sessions, using Skype, internet browsing to find out what’s going on locally and making the most of the internet.
Project: Twickenham Green Pavilion Refurbishment - Successful
Group: Twickenham Green Cricket Club
Amount requested: £20,400
To undertake a full refurbishment and redecoration of the external parts of the Pavilion located on Twickenham Green. The Pavilion has four active user groups, Twickenham Cricket Club, Thamesians Rugby Club, Friends of Twickenham Green and Together as One - a drop in group for those experiencing social isolation, particularly as a result of mental health issues.
Project: Improvements to outdoor sports area - Successful
Group: Twickenham Brunswick Club for Young People
Amount requested: £30,000
The project is to resurface and renovate the outdoor playing area and replace protective boards and chain link boundaries to maintain security. Once resurfaced, it will then be able to be used for a range of outdoor games and activities and will offer significant additional flexibility for all attendees throughout the weekday, evenings and weekends. It will also be available to the local community for general hire.
Project: Landscaping and Access to SS Philip and James Community Hall - Unsuccessful
Group: SS Philip and James Church
Amount requested: £25,228
The funding would be used to provide disabled access from the Church Hall to the grounds and to landscape the grounds to provide educational, environmental and sensory plantings as well as adding additional parking. The development is aimed at reaching out to the wider community. Improved grounds would attract new visitors and enhance their experience.
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