County Council boost for communities across Hampshire

Local communities are celebrating £46,000 in grant funding from Hampshire County Council for projects which will help them become stronger and more inclusive.

Councillor Woodward said: “Our investment helps local organisations support their communities and help local people access the fantastic resources near to them. When working with these organisations, our aim is to help them become financially self-supporting, so that they no longer need to rely on public sector funding – which is why we prioritise schemes that can develop self-sufficiency.

“The County Council’s contributions mean important improvements can 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. At the same time, access to these buildings will be made as easy as possible for all visitors.”

The awards, from the Recreation and Heritage Community Fund, were announced on 16 January by the County Council’s Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage, Councillor Seán Woodward. The latest projects across the county to receive funding include an arts programme for people with learning disabilities; a new heating system for a well-used community hall; and accessibility improvements at a popular bowling club.

Hampshire County Council has also agreed, in principle, grants totalling £34,000 between four community associations in some of Hampshire’s most deprived areas to match fund grants from local district or parish councils, This will be awarded from next year’s fund, subject to the setting of next year’s budget

This decision brings the total awarded by Councillor Woodward’s 2019/20 fund to more than £700,000 so far.

The awards are as follows:

From 2019/20 fund

Totton, Romsey and New Forest: The Minstead Trust – £8,700

The Minstead Trust will receive support to develop an inclusive artistic programme at Hanger Farm Arts Centre in Totton, for people with learning disabilities who may otherwise be socially excluded. The programme will develop regular social activities for different age groups, and buy a lighting desk to support participants to learn technical skills. It will also provide training for staff to ensure the impact of the project continues beyond the funding.

Meon Valley: Warnford Village Hall Committee – £7,500

The current storage heaters at Warnford Village Hall will be replaced with an air source heat pump. This will save money (the group’s research suggests a saving of 13% on current running costs) thereby improving the financial sustainability of the organisation and reducing carbon emissions.

Havant: Waterlooville Bowling Club – £30,000

Waterlooville Bowling Club hopes to expand its facilities to accommodate a recent influx of prospective new members. The grant from the County Council will enable the club to build new toilets, including an accessible toilet; extend changing facilities and the club’s function room; renew the bowling carpet and improve signage.

From 2020/21 fund (subject to the setting of the 2020/21 budget)

Four community associations have been awarded grant funding for next year, subject to the setting of the 2020/21 budget. Awards to community associations are calculated according a formula based on number of activities, volunteers and partnerships, weighted in line with the Indices of Multiple Deprivation scores for the neighbourhood communities served. Given the very localised impact of these associations, they are only eligible for funding if they also receiving funding from their District or Parish Council.

Andover: Alamein Community Association – £5,000

Alamein Community Association serves a community in the top 15% most deprived areas in Hampshire and the top 40% in England. It offers a range of activities and projects to address local needs including drop-in advice groups, job club, food bank, IT skills and activities for vulnerable groups including children and young people and older people and offers an increasing number of volunteering opportunities.

Eastleigh: Pilands Wood Community Association – £9,000

Pilands Wood Community Association serves an area of significant multiple deprivation, ranked in the top 5% in Hampshire and the top 20% in England. It offers guidance, support and advocacy to approximately 2,000 people, with activities such as intergenerational bingo, a youth group, low cost parent and toddler group, charity shop, an informal book exchange and job club.

Havant: Springwood Community Partnership – £8,000

Springwood Community Partnership serves an area of significant multiple deprivation, ranked in the top 5% in Hampshire and the top 20% in England. Services are particularly targeted to local vulnerable groups including older people, those at risk of social isolation, children and young people and low-income families.

Havant: Wecock Community Association – £12,000

Wecock is a large community association offering a wide range of activities and services to address the social and economic needs of the area – which is ranked in the top 1% most deprived areas in Hampshire, and the top 20% in England. There is a strong volunteering ethos in the centre, with over 100 volunteers of all ages. It provides activities for children and young people, older people, skills development and work experience for volunteers, job club, healthy lifestyles programmes, adult and community learning, food bank, charity shop, community café, launderette and IT access.

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