Chill Out Fund 2011-2012

Improving and extending provision for children and young people in Oxfordshire

Because Oxfordshire County Council believes that children and young people matter, we have set up a fund of £100,000 to support this work across the county.

The fund supports the aspirations of those working with children and young people in Oxfordshire to ensure all children and young people can access positive activities in their leisure-time.

• Please note that all funds for Chill Out 2011-2012 have now been allocated
• If you are looking for funding for a youth project, try the Positive Activities Fund

More about the Chill Out Fund

We know that how children and young people spend their leisure-time has an important influence and impact on their resilience and their quality of life. Engaging in constructive activities can increase children and young people’s positive attitudes, improve motivation, increase aspirations, develop social and life skills, enhance interpersonal skills and help build social capital. All of this is vital for children and young people to help them avoid taking risks such as experimenting with drugs/alcohol or being involved in anti-social behaviour and crime. Participation in positive activities can also help increase the resilience of vulnerable children and young people who are trying to rebuild their lives. For children and young people with physical or learning disabilities it can be a lifeline and reduce social isolation. For groups such as young carers, positive activities provide respite and can improve their outlook and quality of life.

Projects must meet the broad aspirations above and be targeted at children and young people 8 – 19 years (extended to 24 years for young people with learning disabilities).

• The fund cannot support school activity that is exclusive to pupils at the school.

Can you apply?

The Chill Out fund seeks to add value to partnership funding and will match bids up to £5000. Partnership funding may come from Parish, Town or District Councils, charities, the voluntary or private sector.

The Chill Out Fund will consider a wide range of bids that support children and young people’s access to positive activity.

Applications for funding are invited from projects/organisations that comply with the following criteria:

• Are aimed at children and young people 8 – 19 (up to 24 for those with learning disabilities)
• Have evidence of the involvement of children and young people in the application
• Demonstrate increased access to a leisure-time positive activity
• Show matched funding from a source external to the county council
• Demonstrate the ability to account for funding

Application process

You will receive notification of receipt of application within 5 working days. The fund will be heard through the Cabinet Member’s Delegated Decision process with bids being heard at a public meeting.

You are welcome to attend and/or request to speak, should you wish to do so you will need to give 48 hours notice.

If you are successful with this application you will be required, within 30 days of completion of the project, to:

• provide an evaluation of the project including evidence of the outcomes for young people and the impact this has had on their lives
• complete an online survey
• send a statement of accounts

Terms and details

Applicants must be aware that:

• the grant applies to the specific purpose applied for
• enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance must be up to date and applied to all staff in the delivery of the project where applicable
• the organisation must have Health & Safety, Equality & Diversity, Protection and Prevention of Abuse and Child Protection policies consistent with the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board’s Procedures Manual (www.oscb.org.uk) as amended from time to time and will ensure compliance with these policies
• the grant must be refunded if it is not used for the purpose within the period specified
• the grant must be spent in this financial year (2011/2012)
• recipients must not make a profit from the grant
• the County Council reserves the right to inspect/visit the applicant at any point in the process (commencement, during or completion of the project) to satisfy officers that the grant is being used for the purpose it was granted and monies are appropriately accounted for
• additional bids cannot be considered in the absence of evaluation of any previous projects funded from Chill Out
• Oxfordshire County Council logo must be used on all publicity
• you should advertise your project as a positive activity for young people on www.activitiesoxfordshire.info (you will receive a leaflet showing how to include your activity on the site) or email opportunities@oxfordshire.gov.uk