Charities and community groups can apply for new funds to attract volunteers.

Horsham District Council’s Voluntary Sector Support team is inviting local groups to register their volunteering opportunities and apply for a funding boost.

The Volunteer Support Fund offers grants of between £500 and £4,000 towards projects that help support charities' existing volunteers and recruit new people for volunteering opportunities.

Charities are asked to consider offering different routes and ways for people to get involved in volunteering, for example:

  • Offer taster sessions - light touch opportunities to try out volunteering with you
  • Run information sessions - opportunities to find out more about what volunteering with you would be like
  • Take an action - small but meaningful acts that help individuals to participate and contribute to your cause
  • Promote your new or existing volunteering roles.

Councillor Sam Raby, Horsham District Council Cabinet member for communities and wellbeing, said: “We are really fortunate that we have so many dedicated volunteers across lots of sectors in the Horsham District who give so much of their time to help others in our community.

“We are keen to capture this brilliant spirit by offering further dedicated support to volunteers and their organisations and to expand the number of volunteers we have.

"The benefits of volunteering can be huge. It provides opportunities for people to learn new skills and can contribute to towards their future employment opportunities.

“I would encourage as many eligible groups as possible to apply for these new funds to attract more people into volunteering and support their existing army of volunteers on their volunteering journey."

For more information go to https://www.horsham.gov.uk/community/grants-for-community-projects/Volunteer-Support-Funding-and-Training

The fund will be complemented by a programme of training to support charities and community groups with their recruitment and retention of volunteers.

The Volunteer Support Fund and Training project has received £50,000 from the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.