Scoring calculations & final results

First we looked at the preferences given against each criteria. We multiplied each weighting by the number of votes it received. e.g. for grant size the selections were:

Towards small grants

  • 2 votes at 4 
  • 2 votes at 3
  • 2 votes at 2

Against

  • 1 vote at 1

We simply totalled each side and subtracted. We did this for each criteria.

We then weighted these scores by the rankings given. To do this we applied a multiplication of 3 to the top ranked criteria, then 2.5, 2, 1.5 until 1 for the lowest ranked critteria.

This resulted in weightings of:

  • Targeted work X 51
  • Small grants X 34
  • Neighbourhood work X 15
  • Experienced groups X 7.5
  • Established work X 4

Then the given criteria of short term projects was given the same weighting as small grants (x 34). 

For each given response we simply gave the top ranked criteria a score of 1 and distributed as evenly as possible to the bottom ranked criteria which was given a score of zero or close to zero. 

The only criteria we were not able to be formulaic with was the targeted groups criteria because the answers were not from a pick list. In this case we applied our own judgement to this criteria, trying to be as accurate and fair as possible.

Voting was restricted to those that had applied and totalled. The voting rank and scoring rank were combined to give the final ranking and results. 

A full breakdown is below 

A Flax Corn Dolly on Blockhouse Park 2023

The one thing the team want you to know

Last year we created a Flax Corn Dolly on Blockhouse Park. We’d like to do it again, in April 2023, building on success of last year’s event with a series of corn dolly workshops leading to a spectacular finale.

Help create a giant Flax Corn Dolly, join the procession accompanied by the Morris, release of the spirit of nature into the soil as the flax seed is sown.

To end, a traditional song performed by the Plymouth Morris. The event will lead in to The Village Hub’s Feast and Ceilidh taking place that evening in Stoke Youth and Community Centre.

Project description

Last year we created a Flax Corn Dolly on Blockhouse Park. We’d like to do it again, in April 2023, and build on the success of last year’s event with a series of corn dolly workshops leading to a spectacular finale.

We plan to do a series of workshops over 4 weeks, starting on Sat 25th March, during which participants will make a variety of corn dollies and weavings out of flax straw. In the final session, on 29th April, we will create a head piece and adorn a large willow structure with the weavings creating one large human size corn dolly. This will lead into the ceremony of carrying the Flax Corn Dolly to the prepared spot on Blockhouse Park, accompanied by the Plymouth Morris. Once sited, the community will be invited to take part in the ritual breaking of flax from the dolly into the bed symbolising the release of the spirit into the field. Finally, the flax seed will be sown into the bed and watered. Everyone can participate in every part of this.

We will end the ceremony with a traditional song performed by the Plymouth Morris. The event will lead in to The Village Hub’s Feast and Ceilidh taking place that evening in Stoke Youth and Community Centre, making a full day of Beltane celebrations that bring the community together.

Last year the carrying of the dolly, accompanied by the Morris, happened spontaneously at Stoke Fun Day, in July. It was a very beautiful happening but actually far too late to be sowing flax seed. In April we will be sowing the flax seed at the correct time of year. We want to plan the ceremony in a way that enables us to achieve maximum community involvement. For example, last year three local men were approached randomly, to carry the dolly up the hill. They were bemused but pleased to be asked. They really got into the spirit of the occasion and said afterwards that they enjoyed it and felt part of something. Many people approached me in the weeks that followed to say they would have loved to have known this was going to happen as they would have loved to have been a part of it.

Funding needed £4000

What group or groups of people will the project be working with and why?

We are focussing on people from Stoke and the areas bordering Blockhouse Park, across the age/ethnicity/ability/employment spectrum who are suffering social isolation, anxiety or are emotionally or financially distressed due to the direct or indirect effects of the cost of living crisis. We would particularly like to get local men involved, who traditionally would have been the main participants in these ancient rural practices. To this end, part of the budget is to be allocated specifically to a community engagement role which will start a month before the workshops begin. We intend to build a strong marketing campaign involving flyers and posters at every poster spot in the area to ensure we reach those people, who are not on the internet. We will also use social media and Meta/FB advertising. We will talk to businesses in Stoke Village including the pubs, the Masonic Lodge, the betting shops and the takeaways. We build on/add to the work being done by the Village Hub to create a community event that means something to the people of Stoke, and unlocks creative talents in arts, crafts and music.

What areas will the project be working in?1 neighbourhood

Stoke, loosely bordered, especially the area surrounding Blockhouse Park, including Ford, St Levan, Keyham, Morice Town

What is the group or organisations track record? Track record:
Been going for a few years

How new is the idea? Experimentation:
Established for a year


Budget

Salaries & peoples time 73%

Project costs 12%

Event/hire/rent 5%

IT spend 10%

Core costs 0%

Capital 0%

Organisations involved

Flax Project C.I.C.
The Village Hub

Feeding the community

The one thing the team want you to know

This is a tried and tested model which does what it says on the tin. We feed those in the community who are the most vulnerable whether adults, families, or young people hot nutritious food, which is delivered to their home. Eating healthy nutritious food has so many positive effects on mental health, wellbeing, and concentration. We believe having a full belly is a fundamental right which should be had by all.

Project description

We are targeting the most vulnerable people in our community because we know that self-care and nutrition can sometimes be at the bottom of their list. This could be due to financial contrainst, support and or motivation. We will use the funding to contribute to the normal cost of a two course meal. By doing this we reduce the price of the meal so that the client pays a fraction of the price. For example, the normal price of a two course meal is £6, however £4 would be contributed from the funding and the client only pays the balance of £2.

Funding applied for £10,000
Admin/core costs £1,000
Contribution Funding £9,000
Meals 2,250 subsidised meals over 6 months

However, whilst we are asking for £10,000, we can still absolutely make a difference with £5,000. The important thing about this idea is it can be adapted. Of course, the numbers would change but we could still make a big impact, nonetheless.

This is a tried and tested model which is simple yet effective. We know this because our clients tell us the difference this makes to their lives. Having a hot nutritious meal makes a massive impact both on physical health and mental health. In a society where not only the food we buy is becoming so expensive, now to even cook it is breaking the bank for some people. This project is giving those who need it most a choice because right now many of them don’t have a choice.

Funding needed £10000

What group or groups of people will the project be working with and why?

We will be working with the most vulnerable, this includes the elderly, families, and young adults.
By doing this we support their strength by improving wellbeing and resilience through a combination of nutritious meals and contact with volunteers. Improving mental health through reducing loneliness and isolation resulting in physical and phone contact, good nutrition, regular conversation with somebody outside of their lives.

What areas will the project be working in?City wide

We work in areas PL1 – PL9 and everything in between. Whilst there are ‘pockets’ of people in each postcode area, there are some clear indicators which show people from certain postcodes needing our services more than others. These are PL1, PL4, PL5, PL7. Our clients come to us from many ways, a lot are referred from other community groups like the Wolseley Trust, Livewell, Adult Social Care and of course word of mouth.

What is the group or organisations track record? Track record:
Been going for a few years

How new is the idea? Experimentation:
Established for a year


Budget

Salaries & peoples time 0%

Project costs 90%

Event/hire/rent 0%

IT spend 0%

Core costs 10%

Capital 0%

Organisations involved

The Knowledge Book Project

The one thing the team want you to know

Last year 5,052 Plymothians sought advice from our service on over 27,000 issues. 61% of them were advised on issues relating to cost of living, 1,039 debt and 1,348 requested foodbank or charitable support help.

Money worries often have a negative impact on their mental health and ability to face their problems. Therefore, by educating and providing skills to disadvantaged groups, we can help them to avoid similar problems in the future. We believe individuals should be able to get help in the way that works for them and meets their needs. Easy-read materials and easy-to-understand sessions will address this.

Project description

Our evidence reveals that more and more people are struggling with their finances, fuel poverty, and as a result, their mental health suffering. Currently, there are no financial capability projects being delivered in Plymouth. Therefore, residents may not have the tools to improve their financial knowledge, skills, attitudes, and confidence. Moreover, existing information is not available in an easy-to-understand format. This can exacerbate people’s ability to cope with increasing living costs, and some may struggle to make key decisions about important areas of their life or money. By creating accessible materials, we can eliminate some barriers neurodivergent people and those having English as a second language may face in these unprecedented times.

Our overall aim is to prevent people from getting into debt, alleviate the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and help improve their mental health.

We are experts in debt advice and have successfully delivered projects to support clients struggling with their finances (e.g. WOW project). We also have experience of designing easy-read materials, e.g. loan sharks. We have also received positive feedback from professionals working with neurodivergent people and the general public.

This funding will help develop free easy-read resources, available in a printed and online version that everyone can use. Resources will focus on basic financial capability skills (budgeting, priority and non-priority debts, money borrowing, buy now-pay later skills), tips on tackling cost-of-living problems and fuel poverty. Funds will be used for the design and printing of these materials. All resources will use simple images that can be widely understood by everyone, regardless of the language someone speaks or whether they can read or write. Moreover, we will publish these resources on the website so the wider audience can access them as well.

We will deliver free workshops for 6 organisations working with disadvantaged groups. These workshops will include sessions targeting neurodivergent people or those who aren’t proficient in English. Sessions will cover information about Citizens Advice services and other local services that can help with the cost-of-living problems, financial capability skills and energy efficiency. Participation in training sessions will help reduce isolation and encourage people to seek advice about their problems.

Moreover, if we identify that beneficiaries need immediate advice, we will be able to refer them to our services for further advice and support.

Funding needed £4900

What group or groups of people will the project be working with and why?

We want to work with Plymouth residents who are neurodivergent and have English as an additional language.

In Plymouth, it is estimated that in 2020, 3,973 people aged 18 to 64 and 1,026 people (65+) had a learning disability an. According to the Census 2021, nearly 2,400 Plymouth residents were born outside of the UK. Having English as an additional language may present a barrier in understanding financial terminology and speaking to professionals. Moreover, there may be additional barriers in accessing existing debt advice services due to cultural differences in money borrowing.

People with learning disabilities are more likely (than other groups of the population) to need help with managing their finances. Without the right support, some neurodivergent people may make poor financial decisions because they are unclear of the implications. Education and early intervention can help prevent people getting into debt.

We understand that people living in isolation may be more reluctant to seek advice, and therefore, familiarisation with local service will break these barriers.

What areas will the project be working in?2-3 neighbourhoods

City Centre & the Waterfront
Devonport
Greenbank and University

These areas are where our partners are based but they create an opportunity to engage with people from other areas as well.

What is the group or organisations track record? Track record:
Been delivering for many years

How new is the idea? Experimentation:
New, adapting something similar


Budget

Salaries & peoples time 30%

Project costs 50%

Event/hire/rent 0%

IT spend 5%

Core costs 10%

Capital 5%

Organisations involved

Arts University Plymouth, Jobcentre Plus Old Tree Court and Devonport, Moments Cafe, Plymouth Foyer

These are organisations we have spoken to and are awaiting confirmation from other support organisations.

Stoke JarSquard

The one thing the team want you to know

We’d like to get Stoke JarSquad off the ground!

JarSquad brings people together to communally preserve food, curb waste, and revitalize the art of sharing. In collectively cooking up our shared abundance (of surplus, grown, or foraged food), we spark a RETHINK on what we might value/waste/share.

We’re ready to grow the number of JarSquadders in Stoke by training people to acquire skills to hold caring spaces and run their own JarSquad. In making food together, we work out how to share more, waste less, and connect with each other in mutual support.

Project description

JarSquad offers a social space for people to make, prepare, preserve and share food together that would otherwise go to waste. Being part of a JarSquad is an proactive and practical way for local people to address the cost of living crisis (in food and fuel cost inflation) and knock-on effects of loneliness and isolation. By coming together to creatively cook up surplus food, we share skills and ideas to support each other in and beyond the kitchen. This can also create exciting new foods that brings variety and quality to our diets.

We model the importance of freezing/defrosting, using leftovers, batch-cooking (and even composting!) as modes to curb food-waste, championed by WRAP (a climate action NGO). WRAP’s 2021 reports shows that 71% of (otherwise edible) food waste is generated in domestic households. As a squad we also learn new techniques (like fermentation, or dehydration) that can transform free, cheap or readily available ingredients into long-lasting food. JarSquadders go away with ‘luxury’ food (to enjoy and share with others) without the ‘luxury’ price-tag.

Co-creating a Stoke JarSquad responds to several requests from local people who’ve attended JarSquad ‘takeovers’ at The Village Hub’s Culture Club and want more! JarSquad’s co-animators would develop an offer of skills transfer (through creative consultation, community coaching and organizing) so that Stoke JarSquad can be cooperatively run by members.

JarSquad would promote and hold 2 community-designed sessions to listen to what interested local foodies would like to make happen. We can help chunk these visions to actions, set agreements on how best to support each other, (and handle conflict); and transparently share details of the budget.

The community group will rotate co-steering the first 3 sessions (guided by JarSquad), with an aim at self-facilitating the final 4th session. We included consultation time in-between sessions to aid planning, event-promotion and resourcing food and other necessary materials and equipment. We’ve also included few social gatherings as we’ve found ‘squadding’ more pleasurable when accompanied by opportunities to recreate in other inspiring ways.

The project is not currently funded elsewhere, and meets POP’s funding criteria by responding to an identified need, empowers local people to work more cooperatively and with care for our collective well-being. Success would be measured by the independent running of Stoke JarSquad with locals taking the lead; and the development of new skills and confidence by JarSquadders.

Funding needed £3870

What group or groups of people will the project be working with and why?

We’ve identified a budding food-passionate group of individuals in Stoke through The Village Hub (TVH) that would form our first set of community-designed consultations. This initial group (~12 people) is a mix of ages (15-73 y/o, with most falling in the range of 45-50) with several people working part-time, or retired. There’s quite a range of abilities and cooking knowledge: some have cooked professionally in kitchens, most are home cooks, and many are interested in local food, but aall re united in their enjoyment and love of food and learning.

Some have volunteered for TVH, or attended a Culture Club event or have previously attended a JarSquad session in Stoke or Stonehouse. Many are looking for an opportunity to upskill or share skills and gain more confidence whilst doing so. Some have specific wellbeing needs including mental health challenges, neurodiversity, addiction recovery etc.

Many live in Stoke, Morice Town, Ford, and North Stonehouse – approximately a 30-minute walk from Blockhouse Park (see below). Two of these areas (Morice Town & Stonehouse) rank high in the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) and has seen increased and continuing demand from local people for acess to emergecy food and fuel throughout 2022.

We would like to collaborate with other POP projects (TPT for eg) to help get the word out to other local people in this same area interested in food.

What areas will the project be working in?1 neighbourhood

Our project will take place in Stoke Village, with an eye to having sessions at the Stoke Youth & Community Centre in Blockhouse Park.

We are aware (from 2021-2022 data collected by The Village Hub), that people who regularly attend creative activities in Stoke Village mostly living in Stoke, Morice Town, Ford, and North Stonehouse neighbourhoods – all within a 30 minute walking distance of Stoke Village – so we will target people living in this area specifically, and treating it as one “neighbourhood” area.

What is the group or organisations track record? Track record:
Been going for a few years

How new is the idea? Experimentation:
New, adapting something similar


Budget

Salaries & peoples time 37%

Project costs 37%

Event/hire/rent 17%

IT spend 0%

Core costs 9%

Capital 0%

Organisations involved

Primary Partners:
The Village Hub
Friends of Blockhouse Park
All Ways Apples
Generous Earth

Ancillary Partners:
Food Plymouth
Nudge Community Builders

We’d like to connect with Transforming Plymouth Together and Care Nest to explore possible partnerships.

Affordable Youth Residentials

The one thing the team want you to know

We are an established Youth Work Project with a passion to transform the lives of young people in our City. We run several youth residential trips every year giving young people experiences to go and create memories with lasting friendships. These are hugely rewarding trips some of the locations including Watergate Bay, Heatree Activity centre and Woodlands Theme Park. However, we want these to be accessible for all families without concern or limitations due to the cost.

Project description

Our Youth Work Project is dedicated to transforming the lives of young people in our city by providing engaging and empowering activities that promote their personal and social development. One of the ways we do this is by running several youth residential trips every year. These trips give young people the opportunity to experience new things, make lasting friendships, and create unforgettable memories. However, we recognize that the cost of these trips can be a barrier for many families, particularly those from neighbourhoods with high levels of deprivation.

To ensure that these trips are accessible to all young people in our community, we are seeking funding to subsidize the cost of attendance for families who may not be able to afford it. By doing so, we hope to promote fairness and equity by ensuring that every young person, regardless of their financial circumstances, has the opportunity to benefit from these enriching experiences. Our residential trips provide a unique opportunity for them to break away from their daily routines, experience new things, and build important life skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.

Furthermore, our project targets action to enhance the wellbeing of local young people, particularly those from neighbourhoods with high levels of deprivation. We recognize that these young people face multiple barriers, including limited access to resources and opportunities, social isolation, and poor mental health. Our project aims to address these issues by providing a fun, safe, and warm environment where they can connect with peers, build supportive relationships with youth workers, and engage in activities that promote their wellbeing.

To ensure that our project is community-led, we network with other youth groups and organisations in the local area. Consulting with them to understand the specific needs and challenges facing young people in these areas and incorporate their feedback into our program design. By doing so, we are able to deliver activities that are responsive to the needs and interests of the young people we serve.

We will ensure that that the funds are spent on supporting families that have a need, due to the cost of living crisis this year we are aware of so many more that have financial limitations therefore our sums are worked to support the entire cost of unto 15 young people for all of our trips until the end of the year. The funds will be split equatively depending on the individual need.

Funding needed £2475

What group or groups of people will the project be working with and why?

Our project works with young people aged 11-18. This is a key age in social and emotional development, we want young people to have the chance to develop positively in these areas so our aim is to give them an environment to do so. We aim to provide young people with opportunities to develop their social and emotional skills, build their self-confidence, and experience new things. Through these trips, we hope to create lasting memories and friendships that will support them in their future endeavours. We also aim to provide a supportive and inclusive environment where young people can be themselves and feel accepted for who they are.

What areas will the project be working in?City wide

We are City Centre based, however, are aware that many of our young people attend our groups from the PL1 – PL4 localities. We are conscious that the city centre is not typically seen as to have a community feel. However, we are encouraged by the fact that the City Centre is the heart of Plymouth and all are welcome here. We have a passion to support the community of young people that are drawn into the city centre. Giving opportunities and support to those that need it most.

What is the group or organisations track record? Track record:
Been delivering for many years

How new is the idea? Experimentation:
Been delivering for years


Budget

Salaries & peoples time 0%

Project costs 35%

Event/hire/rent 65%

IT spend 0%

Core costs 0%

Capital 0%

Organisations involved

PMCH Youth New4You

Daily Cause to Pause

The one thing the team want you to know

Take a moment right now to bring someone to mind – a friend, colleague, neighbour, service user, family member – who you know is really struggling, whether financially, emotionally, physically, mentally, maybe a combination. Close your eyes and feel into how life is for them………
Now imagine inviting them into a room – the door opens, the light is soft, the air still and peaceful. The floor is warmly laid with blankets, cushions, soft seating, wellbeing books, and drawing materials. They sit down and take a deep breath. They can come back here again.
Now how do they feel?

Project description

WHO
Care Nest Plymouth CIC is a socially-purposed organisation based in Stonehouse. Moving into our 5th year of delivering relational wellbeing services, we provide opportunities for local people to directly experience, engage with, and learn from a variety of relational wellbeing practices. The purpose of this work is to help guide, empower, and better equip our clients as they explore, acknowledge, and actively respond to their needs, interests, and concerns.

WHAT
Our plan is to host 2-hour Daily Cause to Pause sessions (Mon – Sun) for a 3-month period, inviting local adults (15 max per session) to drop-in for any length of time and rest together with others in silence. During each session, participants will have access to yoga mats, chairs, blankets, cushions, hot water bottles, wellbeing reading/drawing/writing materials, water, and toilet facilities. The only rules participants will be asked to follow are: NO shoes/food/talking/devices. There will always be at least one Care Nest staff member present during each session to ensure it remains as welcoming, safe, and comfortable as possible for all.

WHY
We’ve listened attentively throughout our years of delivery to the countless stories our clients have shared of their experiences, and have witnessed a commonly shared journey between them that starts with some kind of struggle, progresses into stress, then overwhelm, followed by an inability to act, and finally ends in isolation. What our evaluative processes and client testimonials have taught us is that by accessing our ‘quiet-based’ activities, clients have over time been able to vastly improve their wellbeing by learning how to pause, slow down, listen to themselves, reflect, make wiser choices, practice better self-care, and subsequently recover their self-worth and resilience. Life is noisy, messy, demanding, and uncertain; and there are almost no public spaces (not focused on entertainment, consumption, or religion) available for people to just be together without these distractions interrupting their attention. Our Daily Cause for Pause sessions aim to help fill this gap.

IMPACT
In order to gather evidence for the impact of this work, those who attend sessions will be invited to capture and share their experiences anonymously on paper. These trails of written/drawn feedback will be visually displayed within the space for others to see. Global Plymouth (University of Plymouth) have also stated their direct support for this project, within which they are very keen to collate and research this feedback academically.

Funding needed £4995

What group or groups of people will the project be working with and why?

These sessions will specifically be for adults (18+) who live, work, or move within the Stonehouse area, and who identify as being somewhere on the journey between struggle→ stress→ overwhelm→ inability to act→ isolation. We know that Stonehouse is a highly deprived area of Plymouth, and that outside the city centre, it is also the area most affected by crime (Plymouth City Council 2020 neighbourhood statistics). Therefore, many of these local people may well be closer to the stage of ‘inability to act / isolation’ within their struggles, and may subsequently feel desperate to gain access to a regular space that is safe, quiet, comfortable, and restful. In order to reach and engage with this particular group of people, we’ll tap into our well established network of venues, organisations, and community members local to us through informal conversation and welcoming.

What areas will the project be working in?1 neighbourhood

Stonehouse/Millbay

What is the group or organisations track record? Track record:
Been going for a few years

How new is the idea? Experimentation:
Been delivering for years


Budget

Salaries & peoples time 75%

Project costs 25%

Event/hire/rent 0%

IT spend 0%

Core costs 0%

Capital 0%

Organisations involved

Global Plymouth (in association with University of Plymouth)