Rural Women's Network - Somerset logo
Tel. 01278 699140
With the help available through various funding streams there has never been a better time to start a business in Somerset, all sorts of help and advice is available to help you turn your hobby or new idea into a business.


Information for groups from Community Council for Somerset


The Community Council for Somerset has produced two documents:
Getting Started: A guide to starting a group
Pile up the Pounds: A guide to increasing your chances of making better funding applications (for voluntary groups and organisations)

If you would like copies of these documents on a CD please email Katherine on info@rwn-somerset.org.uk

Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution



Provides regular support for retired beneficiaries and emergency relief in the form of grants for working farming families who are suffering financial hardships and problems that are brought about through a disaster in the family, such as bereavement or ill health, or animal disease.

For details see the website www.rabi.org.uk/ourwork/how/index.html

Grants for Taunton Deane Businesses


If you have a business in the Taunton Deane area you may be eligble for a new grant scheme. For further details see: www.tauntondeane.gov.uk/Forms/Businessdevgrantflyer.pdf


Comic Relief Grants


Comic Relief’s vision is to help create a world without poverty and social injustice.

We make UK grants in six programme areas:
• Young people
• Older People
• Mental Health
• Refugees & Asylum Seekers
• Domestic Violence
• Disadvantaged Communities
• Small Grants

To find out more visit our website:
www.comicrelief.com/apply-for-a-grant/uk/


Funding opportunity for 11- 21 year olds (UnLtd Sport Relief Awards) Comic Relief Grants


UnLtd is a charity which supports social entrepreneurs - people who have the ideas and the commitment to make a difference in their communities. The aim of the Sport Relief Awards programme is to provide opportunities for young people aged 11-21 to promote community cohesion and conflict resolution. Sport Relief Awards will be youth led and enable young people to contribute to building cohesive communities through sporting and recreational activities.

Sport Relief Awards will be an open programme across the UK and will provide awards in the range of £250-£5,000 to enable promising young people with innovative ideas to set up projects of community benefit. As well as a cash award, young people will also receive a tailored package of support from a dedicated Development Manager who will be on hand to provide support, guidance and mentoring in order to develop and delivery community based initiatives.

For details please contact our regional office on 0121 766 4570 and ask to speak to Shamiela Ahmed or email shamielaahmed@unltd.org.uk for more information or see our website at www.unltd.org.uk/sportreliefawards


Crafts Council Development Award (England)


The Crafts Council, which is the national development agency for contemporary crafts in the UK , has announced that it is seeking applications for funding through its Development Award scheme. The scheme is open to designer-makers who are about to set up their business in England , or who are within three years of doing so. The award is for a year and offers a maintenance grant of £2,500; equipment grants up to £5,000; a residential course in business training, aimed at small creative practices; 1,000 promotional postcards; and inclusion on the Crafts Council's Photostore online database.

www.craftscouncil.org.uk/guide/ccda.html

Women & Work Project – South West


This a Project where women in certain rural enterprises can receive money (£650) towards training that is they feel is beneficial to their career progression. For details visit the website www.duchy.ac.uk/rbs

Rural Grants Programme


Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) is very concerned about the plight of local rural communities and the people that live within them. Rural Fund grants will therefore support local community-led initiatives that are specifically addressing the pressures facing Somerset’s rural communities.

There are two specific outcomes we wish to achieve:
strong, vibrant and inclusive rural communities
a better quality of life for the most disadvantaged rural residents

Grants upto £1000 are available to voluntary groups and community organisations.

Please complete an Expression of Interest form www.somersetcf.org.uk/grants.html to give an outline of your proposed project. If you would like to clarify any aspect of this programme, please feel free to contact us on 01458 833133.

General Information


Enquiry Centre - Answers To Anything! Including access to funding queries
enquiry@somerset.gov.uk or phone 01823 336370

Grant information for the UK & Ireland www.j4b.co.uk

GUIDE - the grants resource for Europe www.grant-guide.co.uk