Grant really got us going

The Neighbourhood Partnership community grants fund is a scheme that can award grants of up to £5,000 to constituted groups for local community activity that supports the work of the Neighbourhood Partnerships.

Applications for locally targeted, one-off projects are particularly encouraged. Brian Sandell, chair of Midmar Allotments, applied for and received a community grant for bird and bat boxes at the allotment.

What did you apply for?

We applied for £1,770 in October 2008. The grant was for nesting and hibernation boxes for bats and birds, hedgehogs, insects and bees. There is also a notice board for a wetland area at the bottom of the allotment, linked to an underground stream that leads to Blackford Pond.

How did you find out about the community grants fund?

I’m a member of Morningside community council and someone mentioned a grant that the Neighbourhood Partnership do, so I delved into it.

Did you find the application process straightforward?

You have to give a detailed breakdown of how you are going to apply the funds. The committee got together and we did our homework.

Did the process take long?

Once you submit the application to the partnership development officer, Donald Burgess, it goes through the various managers. It is then brought up at the next Neighbourhood Partnership meeting, where it is voted on.

Your local partnership development officer (PDO): Donald Burgess

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

I’ve been a PDO for almost two years, but I started at the Council in 2005 as a customer relations team leader for Better Homes, then a facilitator on Modernising Pay. I have a background in housing associations and IT consultation. I’m originally from Dundonald in Ayrshire, but moved to Edinburgh in 1977 and have been here ever since.

What does your role involve?

I support the South Central Neighbourhood Partnership and sub-group ensuring that comunities can engage in and influence local community planning. I organise events and work closely with community council members. A large part of my work is the community grants funds, for which I cover the whole of South Edinburgh.

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

One of the challenges has been developing the local community plan and action plan, which we launched in May, and then translating the action plan into reality. The best part of the job is the satisfaction in seeing community grant projects taken forward and establishing positive working relations with the community.

Do you have a proud moment?

I wouldn’t say I have any particularly proud moments, other than the birth of my son Ruairidh. My least proud moment was appearing in the Neighbourhood Partnership DVD!

How can the community become involved with the Neighbourhood Partnership?

In South Central, people can participate in two environmental forums and get involved with the community councils. They have a direct link to the Neighbourhood Partnership.

Read more about how Donald helped the Midmar Allotmenteers. Log on to www.edinburghnp.org.uk