Derek Daniels
(Derek passed away on 22nd March 2015)

Wins a grant for Preston Jazz Club

I spotted the article below in a Lancashire County Council press release and emailed it to Derek pointing out that the local jazz club more than qualified for the over 55 status. Derek immediately got on to the Council and made a case for a share of the fund. The jazz club had been running on a shoe string for some time, and as Derek pointed out in his application, it would only need one bad night and the club would have no funds to continue. The result was that Derek got a grant for £300 which should give him enough float to ensure the club keeps going for a little longer. All he needs now is a few more over 50s. or better still some under 50s. Following on from this, the article on the right appeared in the Council Newsletter - "Vision". - Fred Burnett

News : Cash grants available for older people

CASH help is available for groups of older people following a deal between Lancashire County Council’s Older Peoples Champion and Help The Aged with support from Better Government for Older People.

The £10,000 Lease of Life Fund is backed financially by the charity and the council with the aim of improving the quality of life for older people.

Twenty five grants, of up to £300 each, have been awarded so far this year. The grants have included equipment for a computer club and other projects dedicated to improving quality of life for over-55s. Awards cannot be for purely social purposes.

County Councillor Dorothy Westell, Lancashire County Council’s Champion for Older People, said: “About £4,000 is left, so we can still make a real difference to people’s lives.

“The grants are easy to apply for. One thing we will be looking for is value for money as these groups can often make a small amount go a long way.

“We deliberately make the application form as simple as possible to encourage lots of groups to apply.”

Other previous awards have included grants to improve men’s literacy, a grant for a karaoke machine and help with an internal garden in a sheltered housing scheme.