Grant really got us going

The Neighbourhood Partnership community grants fund can award small grants of up to £5,000 to constituted groups for local activity that supports the work of the Neighbourhood Partnerships and their local community plans.

Environmental education charity the Green Team has successfully received and utilised community grants for a number of years. Green Team manager Penny Redway talked about the process.

When did you first apply for a grant?

We have been applying for about six years – from when they were known as local development committee grants. When Neighbourhood Partnerships were introduced, they were changed to community grants and distributed by the partnership. One of the main differences is that I now know the names of the people who sit on the committee. They also scrutinise the projects more closely and look for more value for money.

What have you used the grants for?

We were awarded four grants this year of £400 to £600 to support our day projects. Volunteers put in the work but we need to pay for start-up costs and for equipment. One day was spent cutting back the vegetation on the cycle path between Easter Road and Seafield.

How did you find the application process?

It’s not too cumbersome, but you do have to weigh up how much time is spent on filling out the form then writing up the report on expenditure to work out whether it’s worth applying.

One of your local partnership development officers (PDOs): Sandra Middleton

How long have you been a PDO and what is your background?

I have been working as the partnership development officer for the Craigentinny and Duddingston Neighbourhood Partnership since January 2008. My background is mainly in housing and homelessness, including housing advice and house letting.

What does your role involve?

I work with my two colleagues, PDOs Graham Rowan and Faye Gray, to raise awareness and promote the work of the Neighbourhood Partnership and to ensure that the community’s views, concerns and feedback are heard by the Neighbourhood Partnership board. People living in the area should feel that they have an influence on how services are delivered locally.

I am also responsible for setting up and progressing local forums and sub-groups, as well as organising local events where residents and local workers can find out more about services in their area and give feedback.

What are the challenges and the best things about your job?

The main challenge is finding ways to keep people interested and informed about the partnership and the community plan and encouraging them to “have their say” by joining forums and sub-groups. One of the best things about the job is the opportunity to carry out lots of different community engagement events, where you can meet and talk to local people in an informal way to get their ideas and views.

How can the community become involved with the Neighbourhood Partnership?

Local people and workers can become involved at levels which are suitable or valuable to them, from attending one off events, workshops or conferences or by reading the information on our website at www.edinburghnp.org.uk or in our local library at Piershill. Or they can contact me directly on 0131 529 3032 or by e-mail at sandra.middleton@edinburgh.gov.uk

Read more about Sandra’s work as a PDO and how she helped the Green Team. Log on to www.edinburghnp.org.uk