Log In

In Spring 2024, Farnworth was identified as part of the Government’s Long-Term Plan for Towns Programme to support regeneration. Bolton Council was invited to create and submit a plan to the government for Farnworth’s £20 million endowment-style fund over ten years to 2034.

Helen Clayton, BCVS Business Development Manager, was invited to sit on the Focus on Farnworth board alongside volunteers, professionals and residents who were tasked with advising the council on the creation of a Focus on Farnworth 10-year Plan and the prioritisation of the investments in the first three years. This was to be developed and submitted to the government. Helen was delighted to take the opportunity to highlight the work of the VCSE sector in Farnworth and the need to invest strategically in local community activity.

The proposal that was created focused on eight initial investment priorities for the first three years. Bolton CVS are very pleased that, due to the huge interest from VCSEs who completed Expressions Of Interest, there was clear evidence for a ‘Farnworth Fund’ to be included as one of the priorities. The Farnworth Fund is a proposal for a grants programme to distribute revenue and capital funding to VCSEs delivering programmes aligned to the aims of the Long-Term Funding (safety and security; high streets, heritage and regeneration; transport and connectivity).

Following the change in government during the process of developing the proposal the Focus on Farnworth Board did not receive the capacity funding that it was expecting which made it difficult to communicate the process to the local community as there was no funding for events, communications, the website and or the planned social media campaign. Despite this, the Focus on Farnworth board plans are now ready to submit when invited. Since then, there has been no update from the government and Focus on Farnworth are not expecting to hear about the proposal until after the budget in October as it is likely that the entire Long Term Plan programme is part of the Chancellor’s review of the national finances.

Although there is a delay in the Government’s Long-Term Plan for Towns Programme decisions, there are grants for VCSE sector organisations and groups, active in Farnworth, via Bolton’s Fund and Bolton CVS. https://www.boltoncvs.org.uk/funding/boltons-fund-2/

»
«

*

CLOSE THIS MESSAGE

Warm wishes to you from the Bolton CVS team

We know the festive period and New Year can be difficult. Here is some information of support available over this period should you, or someone you know, need it. More information can be found in the ‘Find a Group’ function on our website and across our social media platforms.

If you’re feeling depressed or lonely this Christmas, don’t suffer in silence.
There are plenty of helplines available for support: