Grants available for local groups working with children and young people

United St Saviour's Charity has an annual grants programme totalling £300,000 made up of £50,000 of small grants of between £1000 and £5000 and £250,000 of larger grants to organisations focussed on meeting the needs of disadvantaged children and young people in North Southwark and Bermondsey.

"I am delighted to be taking over the USTSC grants committee as despite the pockets of affluence in North Southwark & Bermondsey there is still a huge level of deprivation and poverty and this has a devastating effect on childrens' life chances," says Cllr Tim McNally, who last week became chair of the grants committee.

"I will be going to the four Community Councils in the north of the borough to promote the charity to our residents as despite being one of Southwark's oldest charities, dating from the reign of Henry VI, it is not as well known as we'd like. We have resources to fund more projects and we're keen to encourage local groups to apply."

The 2010 large grants programme is now open, and the deadline for applications is 5 April. Forms are available to download at www.ustsc.org.uk

Examples of recently awarded small grants are £5,000 to Better Bankside to run their 2010 Events Academy, £1,080 to the Longfield Estate Tenants' & Residents' Association for an annual programme of tea dances and £2,860 to the Setchell Estate TRA to run a series of yoga classes.

Large grants have been awarded to Kids Company (£100,000) to help homeless young people back into housing and Borough Music School (£27,000) to employ a worker.

Meanwhile the Team London Bridge Small Grants Fund, jointly funded with PricewaterhouseCoopers, has provided a way for the London Bridge business community to support local youth projects since 2007. The Small Grants Fund of £30,000 is for youth projects which benefit 5-19 year olds living and/or going to school in Bermondsey. Grants of between £500 and £2,000 are available. Last year alone the scheme directly helped 568 young people in Bermondsey.

The application period for 2010/11 Small Grants Fund is open until 26 February.

"Parents on the Tabard Estate say the drama group funded by the Small Grant Fund gives children the chance to socialise and express themselves as well as making friends with children from the other parts of the estate," says Genevieve Collier.

For more details about the fund and how to apply please contact Georgina Dawkins on 020 7407 4701 or email [email protected]. You can also visit www.teamlondonbridge.co.uk for more information.