Category: Small Grants

1. An Adventure in Neolithic East Brighton

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 26th Oct 2023

   On Saturday 7th October, grant recipients Archaeodiscovery took a group of enthusiastic local families up Whitehawk Hill to explore a 5,500-year-old causewayed enclosure.

   

    

   Did you know that Whitehawk Camp was constructed in the Neolithic period? This was an exciting time in Britain's history that saw the introduction of farming, pottery, and the large-scale building monuments that can still be found within the landscape. 

   During the session, the families learned how to hunt for clues and protect their historic environment. In the company of qualified resident archaeologists' the group took a tour around the earthworks and examined the flora of the chalk downland, whilst discussing the uniqueness of the site.

    

   There was also the opportunity to handle real and replica artefacts from the Neolithic and have a go at some Stone Age crafts - including spinning wool, chalk carving, and pottery making.

    

   

    

   Felicity of Archaeodiscovery had this to say: 

   "Thanks to the grant from East Brighton Trust, Archaeodiscovery had the opportunity to assist a group of residents (of all ages) to discover the archaeology on their doorstep.  We spent a day up on Whitehawk Hill, learning how the residents of the past lived in this very same landscape. Using playful and hands-on activities the group was able to experience archaeology in their neighbourhood. And by handling the finds and materials of that period really got to imagine what life was like in the past. 

   At Archaeodiscovery we are passionate about inspiring places, promoting well-being, and forming stronger connections with community, heritage, and the natural environment in an inclusive way. These ideals align with the wonderful work that East Brighton Trust does, and we are really grateful to them for supporting us to deliver this positive experience of local heritage."

   

   Our thanks to the team at Archaeodiscovey for leading such a stimulating day in the local East Brighton environment. We look forward to future sessions. To participate, please keep an eye on our social channels. 

    

2. Community Cohesion Grants - October Deadline Approaching!

   Posted on 1:41pm Friday 15th Sep 2023

   The latest round of Community Cohesion Grants is now open, with applications closing on Friday 6th October at 5pm (link: https://www.eastbrightontrust.co.uk/small-grants). 

   

   The East Brighton Trust Fund supports voluntary or not-for-profit groups and events across our community every year with up to £750 to help towards costs. 

    

   “East Brighton Trust accepts these grant applications at least twice a year via the Sussex Community Foundation. Each time we open the process we’re delighted to see the incredible grassroots initiatives that are doing positive things in our area of Brighton. It’s important that the Trust funds these grants to help enable people and communities to do great things” Ty Goddard, Director, East Brighton Trust. 

   Are you making a difference in Moulsecoomb, Bevendean, Bates Estate, Saunders Park, Manor Farm, Whitehawk, Craven Vale, or Bristol Estate? Could you use a grant of up to £750 to purchase new materials, run an event, or put on a winter celebration? 

   If so, please check you’re eligible by reading the guidance notes (link: https://sussexgiving.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/East-Brighton-Trust_Community-Cohesion-grants_guidance-notes_August-2023.pdf) and then send us your application. 

    

   Interested in who was awarded grants from the May round of applications? You can find out here: https://www.eastbrightontrust.co.uk/blog/read_204141/successful-small-grant-applications-june-2023.html

   If you have questions, or if we can provide any further advice, please get in touch (link:https://www.eastbrightontrust.co.uk/contactus.html).  

   We look forward to receiving your applications. 

    

   East Brighton Trust

3. Successful Small Grant Applications - June 2023

   Posted on 3:55pm Friday 7th Jul 2023

   Thanks to all those who took the time to apply to the East Brighton Trust Small Grants programme recently. Every year the East Brighton Trust Fund supports voluntary or not-for-profit community groups to undertake projects or run events that benefit people who live in East Brighton. Applications can be made to the value of £750.

   Once again we were blown away but the variety and breadth of incredible local community initiatives. 

   We are happy to announce that the successful applicants are as follows…

    

   Gladrags Community Costume Resource

   Gladrags is a unique provider of subsidised costume resources. Their 8000 pre-loved costumes enrich community-centred projects across Sussex in arts, theatre, education, and wellbeing. They deliver free activities that encourage creative outlets within disadvantaged communities. Funding was requested for their 'Stich My Way' sewing sessions for young people in East Brighton.

    

   Badgers Tennis Club

   Badgers Tennis Club is a thriving club based in East Brighton with particular strength in developing junior players. They offer free tennis coaching to children attending The Manor Gym. Funding was requested for training for their Youth Coach.

    

   Resource Centre

   Resource Centre specialises in support for small volunteer-led groups in marginalised communities. They enable them to achieve their own aims more effectively through one-to-one advice, training and consultancy; free online information sheets and webpages; community accounting support; provision of design and print services; and access to equipment for meetings and events. Funding was requested for their support work with community groups.

    

   Spiral Sussex

   Spiral Sussex exists to support and facilitate adults with learning disabilities, working to improve their quality of life through activities, skill development and inclusion. They provide holidays, out-of-hours clubs, and a space for creative expression at our centre. Funding was for green screen flooring and props for their film group.

    

   Bevy Seniors Fund

   Bevy Seniors Club provides a safe, welcoming space to isolated people - mainly 50 plus - to share company, food, and activities, but also take an active part in the group, make decisions, and participate in the wider community of Moulsecoomb. Funding was requested for transport, activities, food and equipment costs.

    

   Menopause and Mind

   Menopause and Mind raise awareness of the impact of menopause on mental health and provide support for any people experiencing menopause-related mental health struggles. They focus on well-being, transformation and connection, building networks, using creative approaches to mental well-being, and practices of collective care through care cafes and art workshops. Funding was requested for art workshops at Whitehawk Community Centre.

    

   On Your Way (Job Club and Digital Inclusion) 

   On Your Way (Job Club and Digital Inclusion) is a project run by and for local people living in Moulsecoomb and Bevendean. They provide on-the-spot advice at weekly drop-in sessions focussed on finding work, digital inclusion, benefits, and emergency help, adapted to the needs of those who use them. Funding was requested for core costs.

    

   Exploring Senses

   Exploring Senses is a not-for-profit community arts organisation. They work in partnership with local communities, youth clubs, libraries, schools, arts organisations, and local authorities. They provide arts and technology participatory activities, which improve health, well-being, skills and knowledge, community cohesion, collaboration and reduce isolation. Funding was requested for five MakerLab sessions in East Brighton.

    

   Brighton and Hove Speak Out

   Brighton and Hove Speak Out work alongside people with learning disabilities (PWLD) to make sure they get their voices heard, can address problems they face, and live fulfilling lives. They deliver advocacy with impact, through which PWLD develop networks, skills, and confidence to challenge discrimination, make life choices, and access services they need. Funding was requested for workshops and activities.

    

   abc Fund

   The abc Fund provides trips and treats for young families facing adversity. Funding was requested for a trip for 20 families to the Lavendar Line and miniature railway in Isfield.

   
   
   

   Noor-ul Huda

   Noor-ul Huda's focus is on bringing together Muslim women and their children to enjoy food, cultural activities, peer-to-peer support, and learning for our children. Funding was requested to go towards an educational trip to London in the summer holidays.

    

   Fledglings Outdoor Play

   Fledglings Outdoor Play run Forest School (and Beach School) inspired outdoor play sessions for families with young children in East Brighton. Their aim is to provide outdoor play opportunities for all, which connect children with their natural environment. Funding was requested for their forest school activities and subsidised places for East Brighton families.

    

   Due East Brighton 

   Due East is a resident-led organisation operating in the estates of Whitehawk, Manor Farm, and the Bristol Estate in Brighton and Hove, working to promote the area, support local decision-making by local people, tackle exclusion, and maximise resources available to the area. Funding was requested for their pilot Summer Playscheme, providing creative and nature-based activities and a warm healthy meal for 80 children and their families.

    

   Pelican Parcels

   Pelican Parcels work in Brighton & Hove to recycle pre-loved essential items for babies and children aged 0-12. They take them from families who no longer need them and give them to children who do. Volunteers sort toys, clothes, books, furniture and equipment and share with families in need. Funding was requested for core costs for their work in East Brighton.

    

   St Cuthman’s Whitehawk

   St Cuthman's Whitehawk run a the Youth Café launched in 2014. It is a safe, free place for young people to hang out, with youth workers to talk to and low-key games and activities for youth. The grant will go towards the cost of refreshments/snacks.

    

   Fabrica

   Fabrica charity uses the visual arts to improve the well-being of people facing health, income, social or age-related disadvantages. They deliver creative engagement and social prescribing activities which are consistent, person-centered, and co-produced. Funding was requested for their Men In Sheds projects in Craven Vale and Whitehawk Hill Allotments Society.

    

   Family Thing

   Family Thing is a Brighton-based dance school for people with learning differences and diverse abilities. They celebrate each individual and promote connection so more people feel free to believe they can. Funding is requested for their weekly dance sessions at East Brighton Bounce.

    

   The Future is Unwritten

   The Future Is Unwritten was founded as a touring theatre company, working on a project-to-project non-profit basis. TFIU has evolved into a community arts organisation serving disadvantaged people in Whitehawk. In 2022 they created the Made in Whitehawk pilot project, running courses, working with a first-time playwright, and producing a community cabaret. Funding was requested for an outreach worker for their Whitehawk Sings workshops.

    

   Crew Club

   Crew Club is a grassroots youth and community organisation that delivers over forty hours of free positive activities a week for children and emergency food support for families living on the Whitehawk Estate in Brighton. Funding was requested for a day trip to Littlehampton Beach and Harbour Park for 20 families.

    

   Little Green Pig 

   Little Green Pig (LGP) supports children and young people (CYP) who face challenging circumstances in deprived areas of Sussex; through creative writing programmes that build confidence, literacy, communication skills and wellbeing. They work with schools and cultural partners assisted by their team of skilled volunteers from the community. Funding was requested for their InterPlay sessions in East Brighton.

    

   Congratulations to all the beneficiaries. Applications will close for the next round of Small Grant Funds on 8th September 2023. 

   
   
   
   

4. Small Grants from East Brighton Trust - May deadline approaching!

   Posted on 3:15pm Wednesday 3rd May 2023

   It’s May which means the first of our small grants deadlines is fast approaching. 

   The East Brighton Trust Fund supports voluntary or not-for-profit community groups to undertake projects or run events that benefit people who live in East Brighton.

   If you are making a difference in East Brighton, why not apply? In recent years our grants have helped a whole range of incredible local community initiatives, with up to £750 to help towards costs. 

   Read on to find out about some of our deserving grant beneficiaries, and to see where the money goes…

   East Brighton Trust recently funded Carolynn Bain of Afrori Books to bring her Anti-Racism Kids Club to schools across the city, giving pupils the chance to learn about Black History and racism and helping them find the language to discuss issues affecting them and their families.

    

    

    

   Last summer, East Side Print CIC ran a series of six workshops for residents of East Brighton and a drop-in workshop as part of Refugee week. These were all funded by East Brighton Trust and delivered in partnership with Whitehawk Inn and Brighton and Hove libraries to provide space for the workshops to take place.

   The workshops ran every Thursday Morning for two hours and included all materials and refreshments. They were designed to be inspiring, absorbing, fun and accessible to everyone and the funding from East Brighton Trust meant that local people could attend for free.

    

   

    

   The Sussex Bears Wheelchair Basketball team - the only wheelchair basketball team in Sussex currently competing in the national basketball league -  has gone from strength to strength since launching in 2017. We’re immensely proud to be able to say that East Brighton Trust was the first funder to support the group when they were first getting off the ground.

    

   

    

   The mASCot East Brighton Girls' Group is a place where autistic primary-school aged girls can meet with others to socialise, make friends and have fun in an autism-friendly environment. Established in 2020, they do all sorts of activities, from arts and crafts to slime-making and Lego. Each week there is one main craft activity, after which the girls are encouraged to do some physical and / or interactive play to let off some steam and, importantly, get to know each other. In 2021 the East Brighton based group applied to us for funding to purchase some much-needed play equipment and games.

    

    

   

    

   
   In 2018 our grant enabled the Moulsecoomb Bangladeshi Women's Group and their families to take an intergenerational trip to London. They visited the Coriander Club at Spitalfields City Farm, a gardening and cookery club for older generation Bengali women, with the aim of gathering inspiration for a similar potential project in Brighton.

    

   

    

    

   Who can apply? 

   The East Brighton Trust Fund is open to all not-for-profit organisations including charities, community and voluntary groups operating within the East Brighton area defined as: Bates Estate, Bevendean, Manor Farm, Moulsecoomb, Saunders Park, Bristol Estate, Craven Vale, and Whitehawk. 

   Grants of up to £750 are available. You can only receive one grant from the East Brighton Trust Fund in any 12-month period. 

   The deadline for the next round is Thursday 18th of May 2023 at 5pm.

   Apply online now:  https://sussexgiving.org.uk/named_funds_posts/east-brighton-trust-fund/

5. Anti-Racism book club + Lyrics and Lines

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 15th Dec 2022

   

    

   East Brighton Trust recently funded Carolynn Bain of Afrori Books to bring her Anti-Racism Kids Club to local schools.

    

   Afrori Books opened in October 2021 offering its customers one of the largest selections of books by black authors in the UK. As well as being a lovely place to browse for something to read, the bookshop delivers a busy schedule of events and workshops.

   Founder Carolynn will be taking the Anti-Racism Kids Club to schools across the city and this dedicated EBT funding meant that Moulsecoomb Primary was one of the first schools to sign up to the scheme - giving pupils the chance to learn about Black History and racism and helping them find the language to discuss issues affecting them and their families.

   In November, a reporter from ITV attended one of the sessions and published a feature about the book club: 

    

   https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2022-11-22/book-shop-owner-taking-anti-racism-lessons-into-schools 

    

   We first worked with Afrori Books when they applied for a small grant to fund a youth event at the 2022 Brighton Book Festival - a joint venture they hosted in partnership with the Feminist Bookshop.

    

   The funding supported over 20 students at DV8 college to create musical compositions related to the book Witches Steeped in Gold, a highly acclaimed Young Adult book by Ciannon Smart. At the "Lyrics and Lines" event on 25th June, some of the compositions were used to accompany excerpts of the book which were read aloud by the author. Also on the line-up was local spoken word artist Aflo the Poet who delivered some of her incredible work.

    

   

    

   

    

    

6. Free Arts and Crafts workshops with East Side Print CIC

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 20th Oct 2022

   

   During June and July this year East Side Print CIC ran a series of 6 free workshops for residents of East Brighton and a drop-in workshop as part of Refugee week. These were all funded by East Brighton Trust and delivered in partnership with Whitehawk Inn and Brighton and Hove libraries to provide space for the workshops to take place.

   The workshops ran every Thursday Morning for two hours and included all materials and refreshments. They were designed to be inspiring, absorbing, fun and accessible to everyone and the funding from East Brighton Trust meant that local people could attend for free. East Side Print tutors Louise Bristow, Moose Azim and Cath Bristow are all skilled facilitators and were able to differentiate each session to meet the varying needs within each group. Numbers attending each session were limited to 8 - 10 participants, partly dictated by room size and also being mindful that some vulnerable people may feel nervous working in larger groups due to covid.

   Smaller numbers also ensured more attention and a relaxed atmosphere where participants could work at their own pace without feeling rushed.

   The drop-in workshop at Whitehawk Library, “Printed Postcards for Hope and Peace” ran as part of Refugee Week. Participants created two postcards , one to keep and one to send a message of friendship to a new neighbour, refugee or asylum seeker. An exhibition of the postcards produced during the drop-in were exhibited at Jubilee library as part of Libraries week from 3rd - 17th October.

   Here is some feedback from some of the participants who attended the weekly workshops:

   • “Thanks so much! Great workshop, very proud to have my own design on a tote bag!”
   • “A wonderful gathering for a creative outlet otherwise beyond my funds - free classes are the way!” Sian
   • “Walked into East Brighton print workshop feeling anxious. Left East Brighton print workshop feeling like an artist. Thank you!”
   • “At Whitehawk Inn I produced a piece of art by using Cyanotype printing. It was such a rewarding workshop, thank you”
   • “Enjoyed this so much. Lovely to be around other people learning an ancient art. Really brought me joy”
   • “Really enjoyable. Lovely to be in a creative space, fun to socialise and really helped my mental health”
   • “I came to the workshop with two residents from the local brain injury unit. The workshop was gentle, interesting, with a wonderful facilitator, who worked with my clients in alignment with their specific needs. We all enjoyed ourselves and learnt that art is available for everybody”

      

   

   

   

   

7. Sussex Bears Wheelchair Basketball

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 29th Jun 2022

   

   The Sussex Bears Wheelchair Basketball team has gone from strength to strength since launching in 2017. We’re immensely proud to be able to say that East Brighton Trust was the first funder to support the group when they were first getting off the ground and since then the Sussex Bears have gone from strength to strength. Founder Ricky Perrin recently got in touch via Sussex Community Foundation to say thank you for being there at the start of their story.

   

   As well as being the only wheelchair basketball team in Sussex currently competing in the national basketball league, the team is committed to developing future talent and supporting the local community. They deliver a varied programme of outreach – building a pathway to rolling sports for people who’ve been injured or newly diagnosed with a chronic illness, delivering social prescribing across the city, delivering training sessions for local networking events and developing a Wheelchair Basketball academy at BACA in Moulsecoomb.

   The team is now competing at the highest level for a local team in 10 years and this short film offers a superb insight into the importance of wheelchair sports:

8. mASCot East Brighton Girls' Group

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 14th Jun 2022

   mASCot is a parent-led peer-to-peer support network for families who have a child or young person with an Autism Spectrum Condition. mASCot delivers a range of activities for parent/carers and children, including through a group set up in East Brighton in 2020.

   Autism is a life-long developmental condition that, amongst other issues, affects social interaction, sensory processing and emotional regulation. The mASCot East Brighton Girls' Group is a place where autistic primary-school aged girls can meet with others to socialise, make friends and have fun in an autism-friendly environment. They do all sorts of activities, from arts and crafts to slime-making and Lego. Each week there is one main craft activity, after which the girls are encouraged to do some physical and / or interactive play to let off some steam and, importantly, get to know each other.

   In 2021 the group applied to us for funding to purchase some play equipment and games to help the girls play together. The funds went towards:

   1)      an indoor mini-trampoline

   2)      A play-parachute (good for building cooperation and social interaction)

   3)      a set of sports-day type equipment (e.g. sack race bags)

   4)      an indoor pop up football set

   5)      two inflatable exercise / play balls (good for sensory regulation too) and an electric pump

   6)      a set of board games (e.g. Kerplunk, Buckaroo, Guess Who?)

   7)      a small gazebo for summer park meets

   8)      three end of term guest facilitators (Bubble Man, Live-Love-Hula, Music Mike)

   In May, EBT were invited along to meet the group. We enjoyed talking to the girls and their parents/ carers and seeing them getting stuck into their craft activity.

   

   

   

   

   

9. Little Green Pig’s Young Writers takeover

   Posted on 12:00pm Saturday 21st May 2022

   

   During this year’s Brighton Festival, a range of creative writing by children from East Brighton was on display as part of the Little Green Pig Young Writers takeover - a weekend of free activities celebrating the creativity, imagination and hopes of local children and young people through workshops, performances and writing activities.

   EBT funding supported children aged 7 to 11 from across Little Green Pig’s after school clubs to write poetic and powerful messages to the planet. These could be viewed by the public over the weekend of 21^st and 22^nd May at the Riwaq, an outdoor structure specially designed for this year’s festival by architects Marwa Al-Sabouni & Ghassan Jansiz.

   Little Green Pig is a creative writing charity which works with children and young people who face challenging circumstances; supporting them with creative writing initiatives that build confidence, literacy, and provide a platform to be heard.

   The charity has a long history of working with families in East Brighton. They first became a part of our East Brighton Trust community in 2017 when we awarded them a small grant to deliver a nature-writing based project named “Garden Words” that took place at Moulsecoomb Forest Garden. During the workshops, Year 4 pupils from Moulsecoomb Primary School had a chance to explore their environment and create original poetry inspired by the outdoors. The aim was to encourage teamwork, free expression and creativity whilst helping to improve the children’s confidence and self-esteem. As Little Green Pig told us afterwards “Being in the garden encouraged participants to pause and absorb their environment, and to think about creative writing as a response to sensory experiences. The children were encouraged by our volunteers to develop their interest in it without the pressures that they may face in the classroom if writing is normally a challenge for them”.

   Following the success of this project, work has continued in the area and now a new generation of Little Green Pig after school writers is emerging in East Brighton.

   This year we were delighted to support the organisation again with their special creative writing project “Letters to the Earth: Planet Power”. This involved 30 participants from two of their East Brighton after school writing clubs, aged 7 to 11 from Years 3 to 6. Local schools represented included Moulsecoomb Primary, City Academy, St John the Baptist, Middle Street, St Marks CofE plus home-educated children.

   The grant from East Brighton Trust covered the costs of delivering workshops to help children create ‘Letters to the Earth’ – their own poetic and powerful messages to the planet. During the workshops the participants were also encouraged to bring their writing to life with visual artwork and illustrations. The letters have been beautifully printed and illustrated by the children onto banners  thanks to the artists at East Side Print and the finished pieces will now be exhibited in community venues and local spaces, starting with this year’s Brighton Festival.

   The contributions from East Brighton children are joining Letters to the Earth written across the globe, from indigenous community activists to famous artists, giving the public the chance to read what these young writers from Whitehawk and Moulsecoomb have to say about the climate and nature emergency.

   As Little Green Pig summarised so beautifully in their application to us “These are letters written about their fears, hopes, frustrations and love for the earth and the dangers of climate change. It will allow them to feel part of something bigger and know they can make a difference via their own writing, imagination and literacy skills. It will be an opportunity for them to learn about the power their writing and words can have, giving them a voice, and increasing their confidence, communication skills and hope for the future.”

   

   

    

   

   

   

   

10. Creating a mend, make and share community in Whitehawk

    Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 5th Oct 2021

    

    This August, the very first clothes swap was hosted by Our Slow Salon at St. Cuthman’s Church in Whitehawk.

    The event was designed to help local families to swap the clothes they no longer wore, with community volunteers on hand to help with alterations if required. Our Slow Salon also put on cookery workshops throughout the day plus free food including a popcorn machine!

    The aim was to use food, fashion and creativity to bring people together to promote a sustainable and zero-waste ethos.

    East Brighton Trust funded the event through our small grants scheme with an award of £500.

    Organiser Charlotte Hastings told us “St. Cuthman’s is a bright, welcoming space, where we could have creative tables for kids and parents, repair and updating and making tables for the clothes brought in and of course make lots of delicious food to keep us going!”

    People attending the event had some really nice things to say too:

    • “Had a really wonderful time today, swapped quite a few tops and ate some lovely food”
    • “Thank you for organising this event, it’s much needed and very helpful to people who don’t have much money. The food was amazing and I got my jeans fixed and some new clothes.”
    • “Great way to meet new people and great to swap clothes we grew out of for new things to fit into.”
    • “Fabulous event! Huge success, great atmosphere, delicious food. Warm community atmosphere enjoyed by all.”

    Charlotte wrote to thank us for the donation, saying “Our Slow Salon - ‘creating a mend, make and share community’ - has been lifted into action in Whitehawk by East Brighton Trust - now we can’t wait to put on more events bringing the community together for a creative, active, sustainable future.”

    We can’t wait either and hope to see this fantastic initiative evolve and grow to reach more families across Whitehawk.