CREATIVE community groups across Cheshire West and Chester can apply for up to £500 to get them back up and running post-lockdown.

As part of Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Re-opening and Recovery Programme, it is working with Cheshire West Voluntary Arts Network and Creative Lives to offer grants to support creative activity across the borough.

Creative Lives (formerly Voluntary Arts) is supporting applicants and distributing grants between £200 and £500 to eligible groups in rural areas and districts.

Councillor Louise Gittins, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council said: "We have a network of groups across the borough who like everyone has been badly effected by Covid-19, stopping their activities for up to 18 months.

"The microgrants are to help these groups to start or restart creative activities in their communities.

"This funding is to encourage community building, engagement and wellbeing, by supporting a wide range of art-forms."

The microgrants are funded by Cheshire West and Chester Council to support activity happening before the end of January 2022.

Robin Simpson, chief executive of Creative Lives, said: "In the past, we’ve seen microgrants support activity in a wide range of communities, with groups leading activities ranging from telepoetry, to knitting and gardening.

"They’ve helped groups to set up digitally during the pandemic and have offered a boost to those working out the practicalities of a Covid-safe and inclusive relaunch."

The grant can be used to support creative experimentation, reaching out to new members and audiences – as well as covering practical costs (from hire to materials and staff).

Steph Meskell-Brocken, chairman of Cheshire West Voluntary Arts Network added: "We’re really pleased to have this support as voluntary activities restart and are hoping that it will enable a wide range of grassroots arts projects to happen in communities, supporting activities like digital film-making tutorials or even cover the cost of a music director to kickstart a choir."

Full application details can be found at: creative-lives.org/cheshire-west-microgrants-kickstart-voluntary-art.