Applications are being invited for City of York Council’s two Sport and Active Leisure grants to make clubs more accessible, offer more sports options and further improve safety and wellbeing standards.

The Small Grants Fund will see funding of up to £500 distributed, whilst the Hub Club Grants will award a max of £1,000 to 5 successful applicants per year. Both funds are open for applications before 31 May 2022. Payments to successful applicants will be made in June 2022.

To support club members’ wellbeing, all successful applicants are required to complete mental health awareness training. They will be given a small award to undertake this nationally-recognised scheme.

Councillor Darryl Smalley, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Communities at City of York Council, said: “These grants will be able to help clubs improve their community engagement and support their members’ health and wellbeing. There are so many brilliant sports and leisure groups across the city who I’m sure would be able to make great use of this funding. I urge anyone interested to apply before the 31st May."

Stuart Morton from Wigginton Petanque Club, said: “We really appreciate our funding as the pandemic put distance between our members and our ability to recruit new ones. Our grant came just at the right time, allowing us to acquire new and quality second-hand boules, and to promote our club on social media. We now have equipment for potential members to try our game at the club, which has resulted in a steady increase in membership. The Mental Health Awareness course has been beneficial in understanding the needs of some people and is a real positive to the club.

“We have a strong social side at the club with members of all ages, and we welcome anyone interested in joining.”

Applications for 2022/23’s Small Grants are welcome before 31 May so please find out more at the City of York Council Sports Funding webpage.