Learning disability grants plan

3.47.42pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 19th Jul 2007

A new grants scheme is being started which aims to help people with learning disabilities in Northants become more involved with their local communities. The Small Sparks scheme offers grants of up to £250 to groups helping people with learning difficulties to set up small-scale community schemes.

A total of £5,000 is available for the scheme through the Learning Disabilities Partnership Board. This is made up of carers, health groups, and Northants County Council. People applying for a Small Sparks grant simply need to come up with a project idea and also need to be able to demonstrate that they can match the grant with appropriate resources, whether materials, labour, or money.

Councillor Rosemary Bromwich, county council cabinet member for adult care, said: "Small Sparks is an opportunity to reach out to people with learning disabilities who are not yet involved in their local community. The important thing is for applicants to demonstrate that they will be involving people with a learning disability in the fun."