FAST tracking: funding workshops for local groups

Argyll and Bute Council is organising a series of roadshows designed to enable local groups to access all available funding and support.

The events will offer youth groups, voluntary and community groups, arts and sporting groups and local social enterprises advice on the‘Funding And Support Treatment (FAST) available not just from the council but from a whole range of national funders and local support organisations.

Funders will be on hand to describe how they might be able to help your project. group or organisation.

As well as a chance to meet the funders, there will also be workshops dealing with specific topic areas – including Winning Ways: How to improve your funding applications – at which effective, proven ideas will be discussed.

In addition there will be a market place with staffed stalls where local groups can browse and get advice and help on a whole range of issues.

All of this is free – but numbers will be limited so pre-booking is required. Applications forms can be obtained from your local council offices, AVA or ABSEN group as well as online from events@absen.org.uk.

Councillor John Semple, Argyll and Bute’s spokesperson for the Third Sector, says: ‘Argyll and Bute Council very much values the enormous contribution which these organisations make in our communities and across the area as a whole.

‘Everybody knows there are difficult times ahead for councils throughout the UK, and here in Argyll and Bute we want to make sure that third sector groups have access to advice on sources of funding’.

The FAST roadshow schedule is:

• 29th September: Kintyre Community Education Centre, Campbeltown;
• 6th October: Queen’s Hall, Dunoon
• 7th October: Corran Halls, Oban
• 13th October: Hermitage Academy, Helensburgh

The sessions will run from 11am – 4 pm, with an additional evening market place session from 4.30pm-7.30pm.