Applications opening soon for SwansAid funding

7th September

Applications for SwansAid will be opening on September 19, with £25,000 available to benefit local groups and individuals.
As the Swans line up against Everton at the Liberty, the Community Trust's grant giving pot will be back in action with the next round of applications opening the same day.
Twice a season, SwansAid gives away one large grant of £10,000, six small grants of £2,000 and sets of kits for children and young people's community sporting clubs. The funds can really make a difference for grassroots projects.
Whether the need is for bibs or balls, skateboards or scooters, if your organisation supports children, young people and disabled people to live active lives, SwansAid aims to support a variety of causes - not just football - and since launching in September 2013, we've been able to help an array of different clubs with the funds used for a variety of things.
"We used the funding to buy all the equipment needed to set up our Under-6 training centre," said Martin Williams from Llangennech AFC, who were awarded with £1,000 last season.
"The new balls, bibs and cones have all meant that the five and six-year-olds could train just like any other age group and the young boys and girls have really benefitted from starting playing a year earlier.
The funds have also been used to purchase equipment. The Therapy for Swansea Kids centre at Singleton Hospital received £1,200 and were able to buy specially-adapted tricycles for children who were receiving treatment for a range of disabilities such as cerebral palsy and developmental coordination disorder.
Circus Eruption, a non-profit youth charity that helps to teach young people from age 11 to 18 of all abilities and backgrounds, were awarded £1,390 and have chosen to invest it in UV equipment, lighting and crash mats, which has enabled their members to improve and extend their acrobatic and aerial skills.
The SwansAid funds haven't solely gone towards new equipment however, with other organisations such as ASDES (Autism Spectrum Disorder Employment Support) using the funds to introduce their young members to a range of physical activities that include archery, horse riding, indoor climbing and falconry.
"We have found the SwansAid funds extremely helpful in getting our young people with autism out and about," explained Michael Shaw of ASDES. "We wouldn't have been able to make such a difference to their confidence and well-being without it."
Whatever the need, SwansAid wants to help and the application process couldn't be simpler.
"The application process was straight forward," Martin added. "We filled in a form and sent it away to the Liberty Stadium. In the form, we included details about what we planned to do and I'm sure that helped us to earn the grant. The key point was that we were going to raise participation but also that we would ensure good quality development for the kids."
So if you're in need of a little help, check to see if you're eligible and apply here from September 19.

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