Bristol’s Society of Merchant Venturers is inviting local good causes to apply to its charity committee for grants.
The call coincides with the Merchants’ quarterly announcement of its recent awards which total £35,000 in new grants.
The awards are used to support organisations that work with the vulnerable and disadvantaged – both old and young – and to provide assistance to education, social enterprise, culture and arts and, where possible, to meet other community needs within the greater Bristol area. 
Master of the Society, Anthony Brown, pictured, said: “Our grant awards are in addition to the strategic support we offer to the range of schools supported by the Merchants and our work helping towards the care of over 1,000 older people in residential homes linked to the Society.”
For further information on how to apply for funding, go to www.merchantventurers.com to download an application form.
The most recent grants include:
Alive Activities
£3,000 towards staging a range of stimulating and entertaining workshops within care homes to improve the quality of life for older people in residential care.
Avon Riding Centre for the Disabled
£3,000 towards the cost of subsidising riding lessons for disabled children and adults.
Bristol Community Dance Centre
£3,000 towards the cost of repairs to this attractive community dance centre in Hotwells, including repairing the building’s lantern space. The grant is conditional on the centre raising funding to meet the full cost of repairs.
Bristol Muslim Cultural Association
£1,000 towards supporting the Association’s annual cultural fayre.
Circomedia
£3,000 towards the cost of providing arts-based activities, including mentoring for young people during the summer months, targeting those not in education, employment or training.
Empire Fighting Chance
£4,000 to provide one-to-one mentoring and coached boxing sessions. This innovative charity supports young people, increasing their self-esteem and aspiration, reducing the risk of their involvement in violence and gangs.
The Harbour
£2,000 towards the cost of initial assessment for older people at The Harbour, which provides counselling and psychotherapy free of charge to people affected by a life-threatening illness. The initial assessment offers immediate support for people in crisis, identifying the ongoing support that is required.
Knowle West Children’s Centre
£3,000 towards the cost of creating a wildlife sculpture park in the heart of Leinster Avenue, which will be used as a vehicle to help engagement with parents and children, providing additional education and support.
Knowle West Health Association
£3,000 for ‘grow and cook’ sessions at allotments in Knowle West. Adults and children are invited to engaging sessions covering growing and cooking their own food, with surplus produce going into a local vegetable box scheme.
Walking the Chains
£5,000 towards funding a theatre production to celebrate 150 years of the Clifton Suspension Bridge, telling the story of its construction. This award is conditional on full funding being obtained.
Community Self Build
As part of their long-term support for this project, the Merchant Venturers are making a further £5,000 grant to the Community Self-Build project in Bedminster. This covers funding for the training costs for the 12 ex-service personnel taking part in the second community self-build project.
