The final round of the Atherton Fund has now closed.
About the fund
The Council made a commitment to invest further in the Atherton area, and the capital receipt from the sale of the old Atherton Library has been ring-fenced to provide a local investment fund.
This dedicated fund aimed to improve the lives of residents, addressing local priorities and improving the spaces that matter most. It is important the projects that are successful in receiving funding demonstrate the lasting legacy for the area this will have.
We have invested locally in the things that mean the most to you, whether that is revenue funding to run activities and support to keep local people fit and well, providing activities to tackle loneliness or isolation, support young people to thrive and much more, or investing in local spaces or assets to improve how they look, make them feel safer or extend what they can be used for.
Whatever your idea, we want to inspire and motivate residents to be healthy, engaged and active; and enable people to start active, stay active and be stronger for longer.
We have funded projects that highlight:
- Creativity and originality
- Something new, innovative and inventive
- Collaboration – working together with other organisations
- Ideas that build on existing or utilise existing assets and enable them to become more accessible to a wider group of people
- Opportunities to bring people together in new ways, and in new or different places
- We want everyone to be involved – ideas that have a wide reach, that are engaging and involve people that are not already engaged
- Offer more opportunities for people to come together
- Support people in the community to develop new skills and provide new volunteering opportunities
- Tackle issues that are impacting local people - Loneliness, mental health, keeping healthy and active, creating spaces for people to connect and come together, and other issues that the communities of Atherton see as important to them
- Projects that can be sustainable longer term without additional funding
- Projects that create a legacy for the community to build on after the project
- Ideas to help promote activities and increase awareness, engagement and participation
- Number of people participating in activities
- Level of increased engagement within the community
- Number of new activities undertaken as a result of community feedback
- Number of activities or events that build on community spirit and bring communities from different backgrounds together
- Number of activities to improve social connection to reduce isolation
- Activities and ideas that promote equality and inclusion.
Who can apply?
Organisations based in Wigan Borough but the project must benefit residents of Atherton, particularly small community based local groups, that encourage community spirit, engage volunteers and who need some financial support so that they can continue to work with their communities.
Organisations who have a community bank account with 2 signatories (not at the same address). The account must be in the name of the community group.
Organisations with a governing document, such as a constitution.
We cannot fund private limited companies.
Organisations that are not for profit. (By this we mean that all income is used to achieve the organisation’s charitable aims and cannot be paid out to members, shareholders or owners. relation to a CIC – a CIC limited by shares is still not eligible as it has shareholders who can draw dividends).
Please ensure all permissions such as planning or landlord are sought before proposal form completed.
How much can l apply for?
Large or small, your idea or project could make a real difference.
As a guide, proposals up to £10,000 will be accepted and the project must be delivered within 12 months.
- Please include a copy of the quote you have been provided for any works within your proposal
- Please indicate if your quote includes VAT.
If your proposal is over £10,000, please get in touch with us to discuss your project.
What we won’t fund
- Trips and excursions
- Uniforms
- Religious or political activities
- Mobile phones and contracts
- Salaries
- Utility bills including insurance
- Applications where planning permission / or agreement by land owner hasn’t already been agreed (where applicable)
- Projects that have already been funded or already been delivered
- Expenses
- Project planning and consultant fees
- For any capital projects, the project will have to have no revenue consequences and/or be sustainable in the future. This fund will be a one off so will not commit to any ongoing costs.
Need help?
If you would like more support, have an idea that needs some development, or have any questions, please contact the Communities Team.
It would be great to chat with you before you submit your proposal, contact us on the email above to speak with a Community Officer to discuss your idea.
Successful projects
Successful groups
| Group | Round | Cost |
|---|
| 2nd Atherton Scouts |
1 |
£5,304 |
| Atherton Central Methodist Church |
1 |
£12,960 |
| Atherton Colleries |
1 |
£21,149.60 |
| Atherton Town FC |
1 |
£26,179.11 |
| Guest Fold Allotments |
1 |
£10,330 |
| Hag Fold Allotments |
1 |
£17,660 |
| Use Ya Loaf |
1 |
£11,733.59 |
| Green Grass Centre |
2 |
£7,888.43 |
| The Bridgers |
2 |
£3,308 |
| Atherton Cemetery Friends and Heritage |
1 |
£95,000 |
| Friends of Wardour St Allotments |
1 |
£17,030 |
| Hag Fold FC |
1 |
£6,500 |
| Dorset Road Community Centre |
2 |
£13,975 |
| Atherton Tennis |
2 |
£10,807 |
| Atherton Tennis (Part 2) |
2 |
£2,161.40 |
| Hag Fold Allotments |
2 |
£2,898.61 |
| Hag Fold Allotments |
2 |
£11,612.58 |
| Atherton Pre-School and Daycare |
3 |
£7,360.80 |
| Atherton Salvation Army |
3 |
£6,010.61 |
| Craftopia CIC |
3 |
£7,205.75 |
| The Bridgers |
3 |
£4,163 |
| Green Grass Centre |
3 |
£5,071.35 |
| Atherton and District Photography Society |
3 |
£9,540 |
| Craftopia CIC |
3 |
£4,000 |
| Friends of Atherton Park |
3 |
£4,682.98 |
| Friends of Atherton Park |
3 |
£1,486 |
| Friends of Atherton Park |
4 |
£1,971 |
| The Bridgers |
3 |
£3,300 |
| Green Grass Centre |
4 |
£6,930 |
| Atherton Carnival |
4 |
£1,295 |
| Friends of Atherton Park |
4 |
£1,050 |
| Atherton Laburnam Rovers FC - Junior Section |
SCF |
£2,000 |
| Atherton Laburnam Rovers FC - Junior Section |
5 |
£6,103 |
| The Bridgers |
5 |
£1,360.76 |
| The Bridgers |
5 |
£4,864.60 |
| Chowbent Primary School PFTA |
5 |
£1,000 |
| Chowbent Chapel |
5 |
£8,130 |
| Craftopia CIC |
5 |
£3,200 |
| Guest Fold Allotments |
5 |
£4,023.06 |
| Sewing Sisters |
5 |
£3,018.50 |
| St Michael's and All Angels |
5 |
£3,649.32 |
| The Gardeners Bowling Club |
5 |
£1,554.78 |
| The New Garrett Theatre |
5 |
£4,608.84 |
| Atherton Salvation Army |
5 |
£3,619.50 |
| Atherton Tennis Courts |
5 |
£1,512 |
| Atherton Colls Junior Section |
5 |
£5,700 |