£75,000 grant funding goes straight to the heart of Hampshire’s communities

Theatre groups, community fun days, swimming lessons and children’s playgroups are just some of the activities on offer in Hampshire’s local communities this year, thanks to more than £75,000 in grant funding from Hampshire County Council

The £75,000 funding has been awarded yesterday (9 July 2018) by the County Council’s Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage, Councillor Seán Woodward, from the Community Buildings Capital fund 2018/19, and the Culture and Community Activity grants 2018/19.

Councillor Woodward said:

“These groups provide opportunities for people to participate in, and enjoy, a range of community focussed, cultural and recreational activities. They also ensure that those who may be at risk of social isolation are integrated into inclusive events at the heart of their communities. Our investment supports the wider economic, cultural and social wellbeing of all Hampshire residents, through the work delivered by village halls and community associations.

“The County Council’s contributions also enable important improvements to be made to community buildings, equipment and facilities, which helps to ensure that the activities can take place in modern, fit for purpose and financially efficient buildings.”

 The eleven projects to receive Culture and Community Activity Grantssupport are:

Countywide

Blue Apple Theatre – £3,000 to support inclusive performing arts provision for people with learning disabilities, to increase skills, confidence, independence and social integration. The money will support existing groups in Andover, Eastleigh, Fareham, the New Forest and Winchester; and would support further expansion.

Basingstoke and Deane

Basingstoke Mencap Services – £3,000 to support performing arts activities for adults with learning disabilities, aimed at increasing independence and confidence.

East Hampshire

Whitehill and Bordon Town Partnership – £2,850 to support an annual fun day promoting healthy lifestyles and access to local support and opportunities.

Gilbert White and the Oates Collection – £1,500 to support a Georgian Fair in August. They have worked with Eggar’s School students to develop interactive displays for the event  and will also offer reduced admission rates to widen participation, particularly among young families.

Eastleigh

Asian Welfare and Cultural Association – £3,000 to support Eastleigh Mela on 22 July. This event promotes community cohesion through music, dance, children’s activities, information services, and food.

North Baddesley Community Library – £3,000 to support community activities to see wider inclusion amongst the community. Activities will include craft sessions, holiday activities for children, drop-ins for people who are socially isolated, and community quiz nights.

Fareham and Gosport

Y Services for Young People – £2,070 to support 50 free, two-hour safe play activities for 0-12 year olds and their families in open-access sites across Fareham and Gosport. The sessions will be run by trained staff during school holidays.

Keep Playing – £3,000 to support free swimming lessons for children in Gosport.

New Forest

Avon Valley Concerts – £1,000 to support a series of six classical chamber music concerts in Ringwood and Fordingbridge.

Winchester

Wickham Parish Council – £1,000 to support consultation with a wide range of local groups, and develop themes to be included in song. This is part of a community project leading up to t he celebration in 2020 of the 900^th anniversary of St Nicholas Church and to mark changes to the area.

Winchester Film and Art CIC – £2,000 to support Winchester Film Festival in November 2018. This year the event will broaden to attract international film makers as well as continuing to provide a platform for Hampshire-based film-makers, who are supported through reductions and incentives.

Total: £25,420

 

The six projects to receive Community Capital Buildings Fund support are:

Basingstoke

Melrose Community Association – £25,000 to refurbish and extend its building, increasing the hireable space by 33%. The hall provides a varied programme of activities to the community of Popley West, which is among the 20% most deprived wards in Hampshire.

Old Basing Village Hall – £3,750 to improve its disabled toilet facilities.

East Hampshire

Greatham Village Hall – £3,000 to buy 120 new chairs, following improvements to the building. The village hall is used for activities for young children, fitness classes for adults and a pre-school.

Fareham

St Paul’s Sarisbury Green Community Café – £1,000 towards chairs, a table and some carpet.

Titchfield Community Association – £13,000 towards renovations and an extension to make their building suitable for a wider variety of uses and improve its financial sustainability.

Warsash Tennis Club – £5,000 to support the clubs activities.

Total: £51,350

 

Read the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage Decision Day papers in full.

 

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