Voluntary and community groups can bid for funding as part of a £40k pot to help children with disabilities enjoy activities outside of school hours.

Individual applications for funding up to £499 can be submitted to Dudley Council by organisations, groups and departments to provide social activities for disabled children and their families.

The funding is available from the local authority through the Small Bids Programme as part of the ‘Short Breaks’ service. Activities bid for will need to be fun, safe and life enhancing for children and young people with disabilities and their families. Councillor Ruth Buttery, cabinet member for children and young people, said:

"As part of our Child Friendly Dudley initiative we are working closely with the community to create the best borough possible for all our children and young people.

"We are providing community and voluntary groups with the opportunity to bid for funding to offer enriching activities for children with disabilities outside of school hours, as we know this is incredibly important to families.

"I would encourage existing groups, as well as those who have new or exciting ideas, to come forward and bid a slice of the funding."

For more information on how to bid people can visit dudley.gov.uk.

The Small Bids Panel meets once a month to approve or reject bids received, usually on the last Thursday of the month. Applications need to be received at least 5 working days before a Panel is due to meet.

The Panel will not approve bids for activities that have already taken place. Multiple applications can be made by individual organisations throughout the year however, they will receive greater scrutiny by the Panel and more supporting information will be sought prior to a decision being made.