Chance for South Shields organisations to win Â£10,000 of funding

EMMAUS North East is a previous recipient of the funding.

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust, which supports former mining towns and villages, has launched a £500,000 nationwide programme.

Organisations are able to apply for up to £10,000, and must give evidence of how the funds will positively impact on the employment, skills or health of people in the area.

The Coalfields Community Investment Programme has awarded more than £1million to community groups in the past, and is now in its third year.

Andy Lock, the head of operations in England for the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, said: “The Coalfields Community Investment Programme has made a huge difference over the years as it allows us to redirect funding to organisations that need it most.

"There are some fantastic initiatives that in many cases deliver life changing services, but without the funds they simply wouldn’t be in a position to carry on.

“We know that our communities continue to be some of the most deprived in the country and that is why programmes like this are so important.

"We would encourage any community-based organisation in South Shields that can meet with our three priorities for action; employment, skills and health to put forward an application.”

The two-stage submission process has been simplified by the trust this year.

A single form will be used to provide details about the group and what it hopes to achieve with the funds requested, before a straightforward application is completed.

For more details about the programme and the application process, visit https://www.coalfields-regen.org.uk/what- we-do/division- missing/coalfields-community-investment-programme- ccip-funding-support/The Coalfields Regeneration Trust was established in 1999, and has since helped more than two million people.

Over 25,500 people have been supported into work, more than 5,500 jobs have been created or safeguarded, 1.3million people have received the necessary support to help improve their skills and gain qualifications and over 250,000 people have taken part in activities that have improved their health.

Among the previous beneficiaries of the Coalfields Community Investment Programme is EMMAUS North East, the South Shields-based homeless charity, which received £10,000.