Nicholas Soames MP, has welcomed the news that money from the Government’s Big Society Transition Fund will support the voluntary sector in Mid Sussex. The funding, part of the third wave of payouts from the £107 million Transition Fund, is being paid out to Home-Start.

Although three quarters of charities receive no public funding, the Government is determined to protect those charities, such as Home-Start which are most vulnerable to public spending cuts.

The Transition Fund provides grants to these organisations to allow them to prepare for the future opportunities opened up by the Big Society. The money will fund the crucial changes that charities need to make to take advantage of the new opportunities available to them from opening up public sector contracts. So far more than 900 charities nationally have received support from the Transition Fund.

Nicholas Soames said; “I’m pleased that the Government is committed to supporting charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises across Sussex despite the necessity of dealing with Labour’s disastrous economic legacy.

“I have always been an enormous supporter of Home-Start, which does important work in Mid Sussex, as well as in Crawley and Horsham, so I am delighted that it will receive over £34,000 of funding.”

Home-Start (Crawley, Horsham and Mid Sussex) offer early intervention to families with children under 5 offering support services to those suffering from a variety of difficulties including isolation, depression, substance abuse and financial problems. The grant will enable the organisation to develop a new business plan and implement a new monitoring system. The aim of the transition is to explore income diversification and become more competitive through improved services.

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Notes

Francis Maude MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office, said; “We all want a bigger, stronger society where people get involved and do their bit. This isn't new – there are already loads of people right across Britain taking responsibility and making our communities better places to live. What is new is that this Government is making it easier for people to do more: giving people power to improve public service, putting communities in control, and supporting people to help others”.

(Cabinet Office News, 13 June 2011)

Nick Hurd MP, Minister for Civil Society, said; “The Transition Fund is part of a much wider package of support for charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises. The Cabinet Office will invest around £470 million in direct support over four years. We are opening up new opportunities for charities to deliver public services, cutting red tape and developing new sources of finance such as the Big Society Bank.

“However, the scale of the economic challenges we face as a country mean that charities are facing tough times. All the charities receiving transition funds have a plan to overcome current challenges and emerge stronger. We recognise the hugely important contribution charities make to our society and we are committed to supporting them.”

(Cabinet Office News, 13 June 2011).