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Improvements to local sporting facilities and upgrades to community centres are among the many projects which are due to help make a difference to residents’ lives thanks to council funding.

Forty-two groups have been awarded grants via the Nottinghamshire County County’s Local Communities Fund (LCF)

Groups were asked to provide evidence that their projects will make a difference in their communities. This includes helping residents live healthier and more independent lives and contributing to a prosperous and growing local economy.

Two sets of funds were available. Capital grants are designed to support towards improvements to local facilities, while smaller revenue grants help with essential running costs, such as paying wages and bills.

Eligible groups were able apply for a one-off grant of up to £20,000 (capital) or up to £5,000 (revenue) if they met certain criteria including having match-funding in place plus an endorsement from their local Nottinghamshire County Councillor.

Councillor Dawn Justice, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health. She said:

“Community groups do such vital work to improve the lives and well-being of our residents, so the LCF can really help communities thrive by financially supporting community groups and charities.

“All applications have been vigorously assessed to ensure the criteria has been met and each project demonstrated its community impact and benefit to residents.”

Some of the groups set to benefit from the Capital fund includes:

Granby and Sutton Village Hall, near Bingham  £17,266 will go towards essential maintenance and repair work to a listed building dating from the 1870s. Works include repairs to the roof, new tiles and guttering.

Nottinghamshire Amateur Athletics Association. £7,453 contribution to help fund and manage a photo-finish timing system to help improve performance and facilities.

Arthur Radford Hall & Sports Ground, near Fiskerton. £10,000 awarded to help replace and upgrade the heating system to help the hall continue to be a warm and welcoming place.  

Age Concern, Carlton. £13,000 towards vital building safety upgrades including electrics, fire compartmentation and fire alarm system.

Bothamsall Village Hall, near Retford.  £5,980 to help install solar panels and battery storage to reduce bills and costs, and reduce carbon footprint.

Lifespring Church and Centre, Warsop. £20,000 towards making the centre being more accessible and welcoming for everyone via a series of essential upgrades. These works will improve safety, comfort, and inclusivity throughout the building.

Hucknall and District Voluntary Sector Partnership £13,680 towards the purchase and installation of a replacement platform lift to provide better access between the ground and first floor,

Canalside Heritage Centre, Beeston £994 will contribute to a mini refurbishment of the garden area to ensure that the area remains safe, accessible, and welcoming for all visitors and volunteers.

Groups to be awarded small revenue grants include:

Zephyr's, Tollerton.  £3,500 To support costs for a supportive forest school morning for children who have experienced the death of a sibling, and their families.

The Social Action Hub, serving Blidworth, Rainworth, and nearby villages.  £5,000 towards running costs of a project which supports counselling and advice sessions for young people, to bring them together to build strong relationships and engagement with the wider community. Young people are also supported to work towards a qualification through access to workshops and training.

Jigsaw Support Scheme, Mansfield. £3,530 to help towards running costs. The project aim is to provide advice services, an ultra-low cost meal of £1, volunteering opportunities, a clothes bank, an emergency food bank, and pick up for people with disabilities within the local community.

Eastwood Volunteer Bureau and Food Bank, £5,000 towards the running costs of the Community Transport Scheme which has been serving the local communities for over 40 years.

The S8081 Community Foundation, £5,000 will contribute to running costs to provide a community outreach worker to the community based in Rhodesia, near Worksop which is in the top 15% of the English index of multiple deprivation.

Your Time Believe Belong Become CIC, Hucknall. £5,000 will help fund running costs to continue weekly Walk and Talk sessions and wellbeing support groups, creating safe spaces for adults aged 18 and over who face mental and physical health challenges or social isolation.

Positively Empowered Kids CIC, Calverton.  £5,000 will go towards ongoing running costs of the project where young volunteers are trained in leadership, self-development, communication, giving them the confidence to work positively and proactively in their community. 

The current four-year LCF programme (2022–2026) will conclude on 31 March 2026, as originally planned. Councillor Justice explains:

“We are now evaluating this fund, including some of the criteria, to ensure it continues to meet the Council’s priorities, including building resilience. We recognise that over time some dependency on funding has developed, which is why an evaluation is so important.

“We want to assure groups this review is about strengthening impact, not removing support.”

The new-look funding scheme is due to be launched in this spring, which will welcome bids from all eligible groups. More details will be available in the coming weeks.

Free funding workshops continue to be offered to community groups to offer practical advice and tips to increase the chances of funding applications being successful, whether it’s for a council scheme or wider funding.

A funding toolkit also offers further tips and guidance to charities, community groups, and voluntary organisations to help prepare for a wide range of funding opportunities.

Details of the workshops and toolkit are here: Funding toolkit and workshops for the voluntary sector | Nottinghamshire County Council