Community groups in Chesterfield benefiting from £170,000 of grant funding

A total of 50 community groups and voluntary organisations have been awarded funding through Chesterfield Borough Council’s Community Grants Fund, and applications have now reopened, meaning even more groups could access funding support.

Funding for the grants scheme has been successfully secured from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), together with money raised through the Community Infrastructure Levy Neighbourhood Portion (CIL).

The Community Grants Fund scheme was launched last year to help organisations deliver grassroots projects that will improve life for local people.

The grants are already being used to support local groups deliver projects that support resilient, healthy, and safe neighbourhoods, as well as initiatives which will help to tackle food poverty and social isolation, or support people to get into work.

It is also supporting projects that will reduce the borough’s impact on the climate and wider environment by promoting greener choices.

The latest round of funding, tranche three, has seen the following groups awarded funding:

• The Volunteer Centre
• Pathways of Chesterfield
• Duckmanton Miners Welfare
• AshGate Heritage Arts
• Compassionate Voices
• Chesterfield in Bloom Community Committee
• Mindscapes
• ChitChat
• Inspiring Inkersall
• 1st Brimington Brownies
• Inclusive Pedals
• Chesterfield Foodbank
• Community Development Chesterfield
• Chesterfield Cricket Club
• Cycle Chesterfield
• Newbold Community Association
• Ashgate Hospice

Applications for the fourth round of funding are now open – with a total of £105,000 available to groups who apply by the deadline on Friday, 28 June 2024.

The latest round allows even more eligible organisations to apply for grant funding and with grants ranging from £500 to £50,000 this time, it can help local groups fund larger capital projects to benefit local communities.

Full details on funding, eligibility criteria and details of how to apply: https://www.chesterfield.gov.uk/business-and-economic-growth/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-ukspf/community-grants-fund.aspx

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “We’re lucky to have so many community groups and voluntary organisations here in Chesterfield that support our communities,

“I’m pleased that, through external funding schemes, we are able to support those who work tirelessly to deliver projects and initiatives that make a real difference to the lives of local people.

“We’ve already awarded over £170,000 of grant funding to 50 different groups and organisations across our community through the Community Grants Scheme and it’s been great to watch the progress they are making so far. I’m sure the latest round of funding will help even more local groups deliver vital projects that will help our communities continue to thrive.”

Alongside the Community Grants Fund, the council is running a community development project which will provide support to organisations wanting to apply for the grant. If you would like any help or guidance with submitting a bid, please contact the team on:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 01246 959657 or 07790 977317

Post: Community Grants Fund, c/o Wendy Blunt,Health and Wellbeing Officer,Chesterfield Borough Council,Town Hall,Chesterfield,S40 1LP

Applications will reopen again later in the year to support even more community groups and local voluntary organisations.

The community grants are just one initiative which is benefiting from funding through the UKSPF, after the council was successful in securing £2.6m from the Government. It will fund initiatives up to April 2025, which are designed to improve life for local people and support local businesses.