Community groups benefit from £188,000 worth of funding from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council grant scheme

More than 20 community and voluntary groups across North Hampshire are now benefitting from £188,000 of funding from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to strengthen their organisations.

The council’s strengthening communities grant scheme was created to support groups to become more resilient and drive innovation to meet communities’ needs.

In the second year of the grant scheme, the council has seen an increase in the number and variety of groups applying for funding to support their work to deliver valuable services across the borough.

Organisations that have benefitted include Kingsclere Community Association which will use its £4,000 grant to improve promotion of the Fieldgate Centre to increase income from hires, recruit additional volunteers and raise awareness of activities taking place.

In support of the council’s climate emergency declaration, Test Source Community Energy, Calleva Community Energy and Loddon Community Energy will work together using a £17,000 grant to launch and promote community-owned projects to residents and businesses that generate renewable zero-emission energy.

Tadley and District Community Association will look to improve the community centre’s online presence and better market the centre to generate more income with funding of £6,000.

Cruse Bereavement Support will be able to recruit and train four new bereavement volunteers to provide free specialist one-to-one and group support for residents with funding of £3,570.