CHARITIES and voluntary organisations are set to benefit from a £1.2 million boost over the next three years, after Test Valley Borough Council announced the latest cycle of its Revenue Funding Programme.

A report to cabinet on February 23 will recommend awards ranging from £2,500 to almost £270,000 per year to organisations delivering a range of services, including mental health support, activities for older people, Shopmobility, advice on debt, benefits and housing, youth provision and core support for voluntary groups across the borough.

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Portfolio holder for communities, leisure and tourism, Cllr David Drew, said: “Test Valley’s fantastic communities make the borough what it is and our local charities and voluntary groups are pivotal to their success. I am therefore delighted that we are able to once again make long term financial commitments to the sector.”

The report also proposes ring fencing funding for advice services currently provided by Citizen’s Advice Test Valley and for core support to the voluntary sector and Shopmobility, both currently provided by Unity.

Funding for King John’s House, in Romsey, will transfer to the council’s tourism function, allowing it to be much better coordinated with other tourism work.

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The report recommends that the funding for all the other organisations currently in the programme runs for the next two years, while the council works with the sector to develop a more accessible funding programme. in time for the 2024-25 financial year.”

Cllr Drew added: “Historically, the funding programme has targeted specific functions. While this worked in the past, our new proposal is to make elements of this funding much more flexible and accessible in order to increase its impact. We look forward to working with organisations in the sector to develop this new model together.”

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