Supporting a thriving third sector:
The move to a commissioning approach

Tower Hamlets is committed to supporting the work and the future of the voluntary and community sector, coupled with the drive for the best use of resources. In developing a framework for funding of a range of support services, the council has taken into consideration a number of factors that contribute to an environment for a thriving third sector:

• To provide strategic and longer term funding for the voluntary and community sector in return for efficient and effective services
• To ensure that funding is aligned to the Tower Hamlets community plan
• To ensure that funding is focused on the most effective way of meeting needs
• To improve local partnerships with the voluntary and community sector and increase their involvement in local services and activities

Tower Hamlets is seeking applications from third sector organisations based within the borough to deliver a range of services as outlined in the various service specifications. Funding will be allocated in line with the mainstream grants programme for each funding stream. Three year funding will be offered to organisations that can demonstrate that they are able to meet the requirements of the service specification. Funding awarded will be for the period 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2012.

Mainstream grant funding – deadline: 12 noon, 19 December 2008

The deadline is fast approaching for third sector organisations looking for funding from the Council’s Mainstream Grants programme. Applications and supporting documents must be submitted together using the online application process. Hard copy applications will not be accepted.

Need help to scan your supporting documents? Let us know now!

Please check whether you able to send us your supporting documents electronically as soon as possible. The documents you are required to send electronically are listed on page 8 of the online application form. If you don’t currently have these documents in an electronic format, and do not have access to a scanner, we can arrange for them to be scanned at our offices and emailed back to you provided you supply us with the hard copies by 17th December 2008. You can then upload the documents electronically for this and any future online applications.

Email thirdsector@towerhamlets.gov.uk or phone 020 7364 3080 if you would like help to scan any of the required supporting documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Several organisations have attended one of our online application workshops and already successfully submitted their application form and supporting documents. Their experience has helped us to pull together some hints and tips that you might find useful.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

Following documents must be read before filling in the application form:

• Service specification - Children's services (word 153k)
• Service specification - Communities, localities and cultural services (word 206k)
• Service specification - Older peoples services (word 76k)
• Service specification - Development & renewal (including housing) (word 102k)
• Guidance notes for applying for funding (word 201k)

More information

• Table A - Financial summary (Excel 41k)
• Table B - Budget details (Excel 40k)
• Application form
• Access your account to view a form that you have already started.
• FAQs

If you have a query regarding the details of a particular service specification, please contact the relevant funding officer:

Children's services
Communities, localities and cultural services
Brenda Doku - 020 7364 3229 or email brenda.doku@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Development and renewal (Including Housing)
Hilary Hughes - 020 7364 4568 or email hilary.hughes@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Older people
Mashuk Ahmed - 020 7364 2305 or email mashuk.ahmed@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Razia Bari - 020 7364 2187 or email razia.bari@towerhamlets.gov.uk

If you have any difficulties accessing the documents please contact Natalia Singer on 020 7364 3080 or email natalia.singer@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Adults health & wellbeing (excluding lunch clubs)

For 2009/2010 the MSG funding for adults health & wellbeing (excluding the element of funding on lunch club services) will be allocated on an interim arrangement for one year only. This will enable the comprehensive review of service needs currently being undertaken to be completed, so that from 2010 a longer term funding arrangement can be implemented.

Applicants wanting to deliver support services for:

• Learning disability
• Physical disability
• Mental health
• Older people (excluding lunch club provision)

Funding priorities

We will give priority to organisations and schemes that:

• help shift the focus in social care to preventative, low-level services with an emphasis on links to communities and promoting opportunities for everyone to take part fully in society (social inclusion);
• offer and support greater choice and control for service users to help them maintain independence;
• have clear outcomes relating to improved health, improved quality of life, making a positive contribution, exercising choice and control, freedom from discrimination or harassment, economic wellbeing and personal dignity; and
• provide support to carers.

Applications will have to be submitted using the new online application process as detailed on the previous page. For further information please contact: Barbara Disney - 020 7346 2127 or email barbara.disney@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Housing revenue account

The small grants programme is open to tenants and residents associations operating on Tower Hamlets council owned estates. The scheme offers grants of up to £5,000 towards new or expanding services or activities which directly benefit tenants and leaseholders.

For further information and advice about the programme contact - Louis Rotsos at Tower Hamlets Homes on 020 7364 0705 or email: louis.rotsos@towerhamletshomes.org.uk