Up to £500 and a little inspiration - what would you do?

A further nine groups have answered this open call and are preparing to launch activities with the help of a Kickstart Voluntary Art Microgrant.

The council has committed to support at least ten more activities led by local groups and Creative Lives will be accepting applications for these on a rolling basis, until February 2022 (or until all funding is allocated). Larger development grants are also available for groups working more strategically.

Nine more groups join those awarded in the first round:

• The Neuromuscular Centre, Winsford, delivering arts and crafts supporting physical dexterity and social connection;
• Brightlights Theatre Company (for the over 50s), Neston, preparing a performance based on scrooge for the performance at the outdoor christmas market on 17th December and offered to other venues;
• Pavilion Art group, Chester;
• KMTC, Northwich and Winchem, restarting regular rehearsals safely with existing and new members;
• Deva Flamenco, Chester, offering free ‘have a go flamenco’ at Storyhouse in January;
• 1st Ness Brownies, Neston, will replenish their craft supplies following lock-down, to create Christmas cards for care homes locally;
• Words for Wellbeing - Listen to Our Voices, Chester, will offer creative writing and storytelling for homeless individuals locally;
• Poets in Paint Community Interest Company, Ellesmere Port, will run a public craft session on 18th December, at a festive morning at Trinity Methodist Church;
• Theatre in the Quarter will run creative tasters, with groups that will be invited be part of the Jubilee Community Film for Cheshire, Chester, bringing together generations to reflect on the changes of that have taken place during the Queen’s reign.

Groups based in Cheshire West and Cheshire can access micro-grant funding for activity running into February 2022. Full application details are available here.