May is the final Appraisal Panel of the Worthing Community Chest financial year. 2015-16 has been amazing for us – we have supported 30 projects and awarded over £28,500!

A huge thank you to the 2015/16 panel members for volunteering their valuable time. Before the appraisal panel they review the applications and then on the day they discuss each application with the other panel members.

Appraisal Panel Review

Trustee, Ann Stimpson, was an observer at the latest panel and she has reviewed the latest panel for us. The latest award information can be found below.

As a new Trustee of Worthing Community Chest I am finding the Appraisal Panel process very interesting. Panel members are drawn from previous successful recipients of Grants during the past year, thus ensuring that results are fair and based on a good knowledge of the voluntary sector here in Worthing. The diversity of the applications and the variety of topics, size of organisations ranging from the very small with 2/3 volunteers to larger organisations with 20 or more volunteers is impressive

Fred Weller was chairing the Appraisal Panel and we had twelve panel members to consider the eight applications from local not-for-profit groups and organisations, the activities of which included mediation, football, art, children’s play activities and the annual carnival.

The grants requested ranged from £500 to the maximum of £1500, but the panel, in assessing the applications must be aware of the amount of funds available as well as the viability of each application against the Community Chest criteria. Our principle objective is that the grants and activities should benefit and support the Worthing community.

The August round of funding is now open. More information can be found here.

May 2016 – Successful Applications

West Sussex Mediation Service

Awarded a grant of £800 to provide a free service to individuals who are suffering a conflict in their lives but the other party/parties, are not willing to engage in formal mediation. This will give them skills to enable them to deal with any future confrontation and maintain civil relations.

Christians Against Poverty

CAP were awarded a grant of £750. The funds will help to assist clients with urgent needs while dealing with debt managing procedures.

Rainbow Chest

A grant of £970 was awarded. This will be used to purchase of a touchscreen laptop and software for the charity shop. This special equipment will help to train young people and adults with disabilities.

Big Enchilada

Awarded a grant of £500 towards the cost of creation of the murals for the Chapel Road Underpass in to enhance the visual landscape with artwork.

Worthing Rotary Carnival

£1500 was awarded to the Carnival. The funds will cover the costs of Circus services and a marquee tent for the annual event in Worthing.