Community groups in Bootle can now apply for up to £5,000 to turn local ideas into reality as Sefton Council opens the latest round of its Sefton Crowd programme. Delivered in partnership with crowdfunding platform Spacehive, the funding comes from the council’s Community Transition Fund and aims to support projects that improve neighbourhoods, boost wellbeing, and bring people together.
The new round launched on 30 June and is open to residents, community groups and charitable organisations. Two Bootle initiatives already show what the funding can achieve: Mason’s World used its grant to develop inclusive sensory sessions for children with disabilities and additional needs, while Scrapyard Studios is now seeking support to create free open-access music opportunities for young people, including a guitar group, songwriting club and “build a band” sessions. Cllr Liz Dowd, Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnership Engagement, urged anyone with an idea to step forward. “I would encourage anyone with an idea, that will improve our borough, no matter how small, ambitious or different to attend the next workshop and apply for funding,” she said.
A free online Project Creator Workshop runs on Thursday 9 July from 1pm to 2pm, where Spacehive experts will explain how to apply, set crowdfunding targets and timelines, and build a successful campaign. Since its creation in 2019, Sefton Crowd has raised nearly £120,000 for good causes across the borough. The programme runs twice yearly, with spring and autumn rounds, and has backed projects such as Rowlands Dell in Maghull, which transformed a neglected quarry into a biodiversity hub and later won a national RHS and BBC One Show competition.
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