Get behind Rural Art Hub and help make “On the Road” happen
Residents in Ellesmere and the surrounding area are being encouraged to get behind a community project and help to make it happen.
The project, which is called Rural Art Hub On the Road, launched just before Christmas 2023 on Crowdfund Shropshire, a new crowdfunding platform from Shropshire Council in partnership with Spacehive.
The organisation behind the project, Rural Art Hub, wants to deliver creative workshops and events across rural north Shropshire.
Since it launch on the funding platform, the project has gained a substantial backing, but more support is needed to ensure that it reaches its target.
Crowdfund Shropshire is an opportunity for local community groups to bring forward an impactful project in their neighbourhood and receive financial support from the council and the local community – via crowdfunding – to help make it happen.
The council has funding of £150,000 (non-capital funding) through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to pledge to projects through this programme. Groups or organisations could receive up to 60% of their crowdfunding target, up to a maximum of £10,000, pledged by Shropshire Council directly into the campaign.
Ian Nellins, Shropshire Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for climate change, environment and transport, said:-
“This is a great project which I hope you’ll be able to get behind and support.
“I understand that there’s lots of competition for funding, but please donate as much as you can and help to make it happen.
“This project is one of a few which have been picked because of the huge difference they will make in your community – and you are a key part of this.”
Brian Williams, local Shropshire Councillor for The Meres, said:-
“The Crowdfunding Shropshire scheme is a wonderful opportunity for charities and good causes to achieve funding for worthwhile projects that benefit so many people. We must all, as councillors who strongly support this initiative, do our utmost to make organisations aware of its potential benefits.”
Joseph Schneider, from the Rural Art Hub, added:-
“Working across locations in north Shropshire, the Rural Art Hub will provide activities that respond through creativity to some of the most pressing issues affecting communities in the area, including rural isolation, climate change, access to the natural world, and supporting mental and physical health and wellbeing.”
Campaigns need to reach their target for any of the funds to be released by the council. If groups do not reach their target, all the of pledges are returned to the backers.
Rural Art Hub On the Road is one of six community projects seeking support across the county. The others are:
- Little Stars in the Community
- Get Crafty with Words
- Walking in Wem Rural Parish
- Multicultural Children’s Day
- Positivity Through Community Creativity.
People can find out more about them and how they can support them here: www.spacehive.com/movement/crowdfund-shropshire
Another chance to submit projects
Those who have a project in mind can now submit them for the second round of funding. People can find out more at the Project Creator Workshop happening on Tuesday 20 February 2024. People can find out more and sign up for it here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/crowdfund-shropshire-project-creator-workshop-tickets-798457165877?aff=oddtdtcreator
Need some help?
There are some helpful videos to help get a project up and running:
Video – How do I create a project?
Video – How do I cost up my project?
Video – How do I pitch to a fund?
People can also find more tips and tricks visit the Help Centre.
More about the funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund
This has been made possible due to funding under the Communities and Place theme of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund managed by Shropshire Council. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the Government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.
