Community Investment Board

Do you have an interest in how to make Southend-on-Sea the best possible place to be and are you keen to make a real difference to your community? SAVS and Southend-on-Sea Borough Council are working together to recruit 15 volunteers to make up the Community Investment Board (CIB).

About the project

The Community Investment Board will soon start deciding how an up to £1.5 million community investment fund will be distributed to the community of Southend-on-Sea.

The board is made up of people from across Southend-on-Sea who all have experience of using various community, health and social care services as well as the arts and culture. The individual board members are giving their time as volunteers, if you are interested in joining them click here.

Previously the Council distributed different grants, but as approved by Cabinet in November, £1.5m will now be moved from the Council to be hosted by SAVS on behalf of the Community Investment Board. Neither the Council nor SAVS have control or say in how the funding is spent, it is completely up to the Board. The only requirement is that it must support delivery of the Southend 2050 vision.

 

In the coming weeks, the board will meet to agree the priorities and initial thoughts on how to go forward. The board has three years to distribute the funds and can do it in any way they like. This may not be anything like the traditional grant application the Council used in the past.

 

In addition to the board, an Advisory Group is being created to bring together local voluntary and community groups, local health and care professionals. The purpose of this group is to support the board by providing information and advice to help them make decisions about where and how to spend the money for the community. Anyone from these sectors will be able to join the Advisory Group. The first meeting of the Advisory Group will take place in the Autumn.

 

If you are interested in keeping up to date with the board’s plans and the advisory group, please sign up to receive the weekly newsletter from SAVS which includes other news, information and details on wider funding opportunities form across Southend.

Current Funding Available

Community Investment Fund: Improving Young People’s Mental Health

 

Funding available now for activities enabling young people in Southend to improve their mental health…

 

Hosted by SAVS, the Community Investment Fund is managed and delivered by the Community Investment Board, made up of local residents who have volunteered their time to make investments that will enable Southend residents to improve their lives. They are seeking to enable communities and individuals to improve their health and wellbeing, and realise and reach their own aspirations. The Board have received £30,000 (over and above the £1.5m from Southend Borough Council) from Southend Education Trust to invest over three years to enable young people living in Southend to improve their mental health.

 

The board are keen to receive proposals that will build young people’s resilience to manage and maintain positive wellbeing beginning in early 2022. The fund is open to any not-for-profit group with an idea. You might be a group of individuals with a great idea, a faith group, registered charity, CIC, school, small constituted group or something else.

 

This is the first of three years that the Board will invest £10,000 annually (2021, 2022 & 2023) from the £30,000 available. Successful applicants will be asked to report on their activities at the end of 2022. Your proposal could need the full £10,000 available or far less.

 

To apply please read the guidance and send your proposal to cib@savs-southend.co.uk by 5pm on Friday 26 November.

Community Investment Board, October 2021

Community Reference Group

In addition to the board, a Community Reference Group is being created to bring together local voluntary and community groups, local health and care professionals. The purpose of this group is to support the board by providing information and advice to help them make decisions about where and how to spend the money for the community. Those attending are asked to be representative of their work in Southend.

Share your thoughts on the Community Investment Fund: Initial Community Reference Group Session
Wednesday 29 September, 9.30am – 12.30pm @ Cricket Pavilion, Garon Park, Southend

To attend the this session on Wednesday 29 September, 9.30am – 12.30pm please register here. A detailed agenda will be sent out nearer to the event.

To find out more call the CIB team on 01702 356 008

Latest News from CIB