In this newsletter

Christmas break

What the communities team has been doing

Overcoming digital and financial exclusion - get involved!

£1m Community Grant: 

• Community Grant year two and underspend round

• Grants webinars

• Application process - you said, we did!

• Community Grant Completed Projects

Environmental Grant and project ideas

Councillors' Ward Improvement Grant and ideas for meeting needs

Youth Council activities and Youth Council logo design

Section 106

Introducing our new Climate Impact Officer at HDC and how to get involved

Community Spotlight: Leicester Musical Memory Box

External funding opportunities: including funding for to support vulnerable residents

Getting support: funding resources and Voluntary Action LeicesterShire support

Previous newsletters

Get in touch!

Christmas break

As always, Harborough District Council will be closed between Christmas and New Year, with an out-of-hours service for emergencies.

What we've been doing!

Gemma Finan, Community Development Officer has continued to be out and about finding out more about what communities are doing to support residents, including Tilton Electric Car Club and the Help Hub at the Churchgate Centre in Lutterworth.

Overcoming digital and financial exclusion: get involved in joining up services to help residents

Community Development Officer Gemma Finan is looking at how communities can better join up to support digital and financial inclusion – and we need your input and involvement.

Libraries, town and parish councils, community centres, and local voluntary and community groups are often the first places people turn to for help.

We're exploring how we can work together more effectively to help residents while making sure groups have the right support, training, and clear guidelines to do this safely.

We'd love to hear from you if:

• You already help residents with digital tasks or accessing services.
• You have space and equipment people could use to get online.
• You'd like to do more but aren't sure where to start or need funding or other resources.
• You're interested in being part of a supportive network.

What would help your organisation?

We're keen to understand what would make it easier for you to support residents. For example:

• Clear guidance – simple frameworks so you know what you can and can't help with?
• Resources – information sheets, posters, or toolkits?
• Networking opportunities – meeting others doing similar work to share ideas and support?
• Funding support – help identifying or applying for funding?

Get involved!

We're talking to groups across the district over the coming weeks. If you'd like to be part of this conversation, or if you have thoughts about what would help your group support residents better, please get in touch.

Even if you're not sure whether this is relevant to you or have only just started to think about it, we'd love to hear from you, your experience will help us develop something that genuinely works for communities across Harborough.

However big or small your activity or ask is, we'd like to know - contact Gemma on 07936 360191 or at communities@harborough.gov.uk

Community Grant Updates

Round two of year two of the Community Grant opens 1 December

Round two of year two of the £1m Community Grant is open from 1 December 2025, closing on 16 February 2026, with round three to follow and then a final fourth year two underspend round to follow. Full details about how to apply and supporting examples and templates are online.

As a reminder, the Community Grant funding is for capital projects which create lasting assets across the Harborough district, such as improvements to building, facilities, or purchasing and installing equipment.

As before, Grants Officers are available to support you with applications and answer any questions you may have. Please continue to share your project ideas with us - we may be able to advise on eligibility and how to apply for the new Community Grant, or suggest alternative sources of funding. 

Underspend round - for the year one £1m Community Grant

The round for the small remaining fund from year one will also be open from 1 December 2025 and close on 16 February 2026 (running concurrently with round two of year two of the grant). If all round one underspend applications are awarded, there remains a small underspend of £62,905.

As a reminder, groups will be able to apply where any one of the following applies:

• They are groups that deliver services across the district who have not been able to apply previously. Evidence will be required of existing services or activities delivered in the district.
• They are in parishes who have not received any Community Grant funding in the first year.
• They are in parishes that have not used their full allocation. No funding will be given to a group that takes a parish above their individual allocation (in the case of small parishes, this is maximum £5k).

If there are more applications than funding available, assessment criteria considered to prioritise applications will include:

• Quality of consultation and evidence of need for the project.
• Clear demonstration of wide community benefits of the project.
• Smaller projects (e.g. under £5k).
• How much funding the parish and/or applicant has previously received from the Community Grant.

Download the guidance for full information about how to apply and contact Claire and Serretta at communitygrants@harborough.gov.uk to talk through your project.

November grant awards

Cabinet Sub-committee Grants made the first year two Community Grant awards as well as awarding some underspend grants.  Watch HDC news page for further information about the successful projects.

Grants webinars - get help to apply!

We are offering the opportunity to book onto our live Teams webinars with the Community Engagement Team. These will be informal with lots of chances to ask questions. 

Webinar A - A step-by-step walk through the Community Grant application form on Grantapproval, including the information required under each question, what makes a good application and how to demonstrate community need and benefit.

• Tuesday 16 December 2025, 2.00 - 3.00pm 

• Wednesday 15 January 2026, 10.30 - 11.30am

Webinar B - Measuring what matters - understanding, evidencing and celebrating the difference you make - see the download from our website for more detailed information about what this will cover.

• Thursday 29 January 2026, 10.00 - 11.30am

To book onto any of the above webinars, please click here Grants Webinars – Booking form

Let us know if you want to attend but can't make these dates, as we can look at running further sessions.

Application process improvements - you said, we did

You said: "It isn’t always clear which fields you can leave blank on the Grantapproval portal as it is also used by business applicants."

We did: We put together a Step by Step Guide for the Grantapproval portal which takes you through the pages with useful screenshots.

You said: “The application form sometimes times out, or loses my progress.”

We did: We have redesigned the questions section so that it is no longer presented as a single long page. It is now divided into clear sections with regular save points, allowing applicants to save their progress as they go.

You said: “It’s not always clear where to include detailed information or what to cover in a project plan.”

We did: We have produced an optional project plan template to guide applicants on the type of information to include. This aims to help groups present their project clearly and ensure all key details are covered. We have also created a project finances spreadsheet with built-in formulas and guidance notes supporting applicants to present overall project costs and funding sources.

You said :“It’s not always clear what happens after submitting an application, or why officers ask for additional information.”

We did: We have developed a ‘What to Expect Next’ guide which outlines the assessment process, explains how applications are reviewed against the criteria, and clarifies why officers may contact applicants for further details.

You said: “It would be helpful to know what information to include when reporting on project outcomes.”

We did: We have introduced an optional completion report template to support applicants. This covers the key areas of information required.

We are always happy to have feedback on your experience of any part of the grants process - if you have any suggestions, please email communitygrants@harborough.gov.uk

Community Grant Completed Projects

In this edition we focus on some successfully completed projects from year one of the £1m Community Grant Fund to share and inspire ideas.

The facility includes a small kitchen from which teas and light refreshments are prepared for parties and events as well as the diverse user groups, which range from a choir group, flower club and crafts to Sunday School, holiday clubs, Messy church and charity concerts.

This community facility is now able to continue to provide a vital service to the local area by promoting health and well-being and combatting social isolation.

Tur Langton Village Hall

The Hall was upgraded and decorated a few years ago and now offers a very smart community space. It is regularly used by many groups such as yoga, dance, pilates, baby and story groups, as well as elections, children’s parties and village and church events such as Harvest Supper, beer festivals and school events.

A Community Grant was awarded to the Village Hall who needed to buy a replacement foldable table tennis table for a local club who meet regularly to play there free of charge. The group was formed several years ago to create a regular event for villagers to do something healthy during the dark, winter evenings. With players aged 10-70, having two tables has enabled this group to double its membership, welcome all abilities and play all year round.

Having a local table tennis facility has proved a great way for newcomers to the village to become part of the community and for residents living on their own to get together with other people locally. The Village Hall promotes the club, as well as all its activities, in its newsletter to encourage health and wellbeing and a cohesive, involved community which has much to offer all residents, especially those who may feel lonely.

Lutterworth Town Council – Crescent Road Playground and Pavilion

The refurbishment included the installation of modern, accessible play equipment, improved safety surfacing, seating areas and enhanced landscaping. Increased footfall has shown its value as a community asset, becoming a popular destination for families, schools and local childminders. As a result, the project has played a vital community role in promoting wellbeing, inclusivity, community pride and social connections. The equipment has a Frank Whittle theme, to highlight his connection with the local area.

Solar panels were then installed to reduce the building’s carbon footprint and rising energy costs, thereby helping maintain affordable rates for the benefit of the many users which include community groups and charities. The new facility is now a smart and versatile community asset, able to accommodate around 250 people, thereby widening the number and range of people able to benefit. Activities now include performances, conferencing, parties, weddings and fitness and activity classes. Accessibility has also been greatly improved, both in terms of physical aids and meeting modern standards, as well as increased booking slots.

Environmental Grant

The final round for this financial year opens on 2 February 2026 and will close on 1 April 2026.

Applications must be for a grant of between £5,000 and £20,000, with a minimum 10% match funding secured. Projects must have a clear public benefit and a positive and proven impact on the environment, meeting one or more of these primary outcomes:

• Reduce the carbon footprint of the community.
• Reduce the waste produced in the community: communities striving to reduce the amount of waste produced within their boundaries, fostering a culture of responsible waste management.
• Create, or protect and enhance, biodiversity or environmental assets such as green spaces and waterways: initiatives focused on creating, protecting, and enhancing biodiversity, as well as safeguarding environmental assets such as green spaces and waterways.
• Educate and/or raise awareness of climate change that will result in one of the above outcomes.

Please see the guidance document for full information.

Project Ideas

Whilst all eligible projects are welcomed, we are particularly interested in those which focus on the less frequently seen outcomes such as biodiversity, climate change awareness and waste reduction.

Some ideas for projects you might be able to develop in these areas are:-

• Flood impact reduction measures to protect biodiversity and the environment, such as flood gardens, tree planting, attenuation tanks and living walls.

• Re-wilding of neglected areas to create a community space such as a spare allotment or a pond or recreational area.

• Educational or awareness initiatives focused on climate change which will ultimately lead to a reduction of carbon emissions and waste or improve biodiversity and protect the environment.

Organisations are encouraged to discuss their project with the grants officers in advance of their application by contacting communitygrants@harborough.gov.uk.

Councillors' Ward Improvement Grant

The Councillors' Ward Improvement Grant Scheme is available to groups and organisations in the Harborough district. Each ward councillor has been allocated £5,000 to support initiatives of their choice within their ward which will benefit residents and/or improve the environment. The funding can be for capital or revenue projects.

Grants must be for values between £1k to £5k and grants must be paid to the organisation by 31 March 2026. Organisations must be constituted and have a bank account in the name of the organisation. 

Organisations must contact their ward councillor directly to discuss their project proposal.

See our website for an overview of the grant and some of the things that might be funded. 

*** Ideas for meeting local needs ***

Gemma Finan, HDC Community Development Officer, and the rest of the team have been talking to parishes and community groups about how to better meet the needs of vulnerable people in the Harborough district.

We've gone through what you've told us and done some thinking about how the grants might help you.

The main issues that have been identified are: 1. financial exclusion / cost of living; 2. social isolation and loneliness; 3. mental wellbeing; 4. activities for young people; 5. digital exclusion; and 6. mobility and transport.

For example:

• Would funding to purchase IT equipment such as tablets or laptops for people to access, or to provide noticeboards, newsletters and posters to help you address issues of digital exclusion and increase community participation and access?

• Would your organisation welcome funding to support social activities and groups e.g. set up costs such as for volunteer training, marketing, workshops?

• Would some equipment enable you to offer new health and wellbeing activities or activities for young people?

• Would your community transport schemes benefit from extra equipment such as car seats or other things to increase access to community transport? 

• Would the purchase of wheelchairs make it easier for people to access your workshops, activities or use your transport?

If you would like some help and advice about setting up groups and activities, or want  some more information about the types of initiatives that you could coordinate, contact the community engagement team at communities@harborough.gov.uk 

Youth Council activities

What the Youth Council has been working on

Results were announced at November's meeting at Lutterworth College. This is a really exciting time for the Youth Council and we are really pleased to have our new Youth Council leadership team! The team includes chair, vice chair, secretary, treasurer, media and communications officer and outreach and inclusion officer. We will work closely with the elected members to support them in their new roles and help them to achieve their goals, learn and gain skills whilst in their roles.  

The UKSPF funding focus group are continuing to look at the project idea they have come up with and will continue to work closely with the economic development team.

Design a logo for the Youth Council - now closed!

The Speak Out Youth Council logo design competition has now closed! Speak Out members and Youth Council members will look at the competition entries together and decide on the winning design. We look forward to sharing the new Harborough District Youth Council logo! 

Join the Youth Council!

We are always keen to welcome new members. We have monthly meetings on a Thursday 5.30pm-7.30pm. The meetings alternate between Lutterworth and Market Harborough each month. We provide transport through Lutterworth Community Transport and Market Harborough Community Transport to make the meetings as accessible as possible.

Although we have participants from across the district, we would also like to make sure young people from all secondary schools and colleges in the area are equitably represented, particularly in areas around Kibworth Mead Academy and Thomas Estley Community College. So get in touch with Becca if you can help with this or know young people in those areas who would like to get involved.

Section 106 

Introducing our new Climate Impact Officer at HDC: Carol Thay

We are pleased to introduce you to the new Climate Impact Officer at Harborough District Council, Carol Thay.

I’ve also supported the Council’s door-to-door efforts during and after flooding events across various locations. In my new role, I’ll be supporting HDC’s journey toward net zero, promoting sustainability, and helping communities adapt to extreme weather conditions, particularly heat and flooding. Initially, my focus is on flooding, working closely with flood warden groups, flood hubs, and residents impacted by recent flood events. I collaborate with the Lead Local Flood Authority at Leicestershire County Council, among other agencies.

• Sign up for flood warnings and alerts: https://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings
• Flood Risk Maps: https://www.gov.uk/prepare-for-a-flood
• Weather Warnings: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails
• Check your flood risk: https://www.gov.uk/check-if-youre-at-risk-of-flooding
• Flood Insurance: https://www.floodre.co.uk/
• Report a flood: Report a flood | Leicestershire County Council

In a previous newsletter, we highlighted the role of flood wardens in Market Harborough. Flood wardens play a vital role in communities across the district. If you’re interested in becoming a flood warden, please contact us at flooding@harborough.gov.uk or llrprepared@leics.gov.uk.

If being a flood warden isn’t for you, but you’d still like to get involved, HDC is also seeking volunteers to support existing groups. Volunteers are essential in helping HDC respond to emergencies, including flooding. We offer support through regular meetings, training sessions, equipment, and updates. If you’re interested in volunteering or would like more information, please email volunteers@harborough.gov.uk

Community Spotlight

Leicester Musical Memory Box

The ability of music to connect, comfort, stimulate and uplift, lies at the heart of Leicester Musical Memory Box, a not-for-profit organisation using music, singing and gentle activity to reconnect people affected by dementia to joyful memories, boosting wellbeing and confidence along the way.

Recently celebrated as Runner Up at Harborough District Community Awards, Leicester Musical Memory Box stood out for its creativity, compassion and powerful impact on local lives recognising the tireless work that the group does to create musical opportunities across a range of activities so people can have a break from their day-to-day situations and experience enjoyment.

Led by Kyle Newman, the group creates a warm, inclusive space where everyone; carers, clients and volunteers feel seen, supported and uplifted. Sessions are interactive, therapeutic and full of laughter, helping to reduce isolation and build lasting friendships across the community

To learn more about Leicester Musical Memory Box we spoke to Kyle Newman who shared further insight about the group's activities.

Q. How did Leicester Musical Memory Box begin?

Leicester Musical Memory Box was created in 2018 to continue a thriving Leicester City Singing for the Brain group, delivered by Alzheimer’s Society, when funding had come to an end. We found ourselves providing a lot of online delivery throughout the pandemic and since we returned to face-to-face groups we’ve grown to multiple groups around Leicestershire including three in Harborough District.

Q. What makes your sessions special?

We are skilled in creating a safe space where singing and music are used to facilitate multiple therapeutic processes. Many people can be shy of singing yet find themselves doing it without thinking about it at our groups, so they are benefiting from the powerful positive effects before they know it. They often surprise themselves and we see a mood uplift right away. We all keep our musical memory; no dementia destroys it, so again, skilled conversational lead around musical events, tv, films, radio jingles as well as any kind of music at all, generally helps show people what they still know, rather than what they’ve forgotten, or are struggling to recall.

Q. How can local groups get involved?

We welcome people to come and observe how a group works as they can then go away and tell people that “it’s not just a singsong”. Singsongs are still great, but we include some music memory magic. Being aware of each other’s activities and referring on is a great support as well as maintaining a person-centred ethos. Promoting networking events is also very useful.

Q. How important are volunteers to your work

Volunteers are vital! They allow the group leader to get on and do what they do best, whilst helping ensure the smooth running of the group. Practically, refreshments appear and cups get magically washed up. But volunteers are also often adept at spotting something the leader may not be able to focus on e.g. noticing a change of emotional state in someone and reacting to it or, taking away leaflets because they know the immediate area best. And lots more!

The group's website has more information about activities and contact details to get in touch.

Funding and resources from other organisations

This section contains a selection of grants outside HDC that community groups can apply for.

With all grants, check the small print for exclusions such as types of organisations and annual turnover to ensure that you're eligible.

Grant fundraising is challenging at the moment, with many funders closing programmes early or completely, reviewing or narrowing programmes, and some moving to invitation only because of the volume of applications they're receiving, so make sure you sign up for email or social media alerts from the funder if applicable if you're making an application, and/or regularly check their website for changes.

It may also be worth searching for the funder on the Charity Commission website and downloading its annual report to see if you can find out more, or some funders report on 360Giving.

We would love to know if you have been successful applying to any of these to build up our knowledge of what funders are prioritising.

See our previous newsletters for other funding suggestions, while some are included in response to specific funding rounds, others are ongoing or will be reopening in the future.

Getting further support

The following organisations also provide free funding resources that may be useful to groups:

• Leicestershire County Council

• Rural Services Network

• Active Together

• East Midlands Funding Forum

• Charity Excellence Framework

Voluntary Action LeicesterShire: support for voluntary and community groups

Previous newsletters

See previous editions of our newsletter for good practice resources and funding suggestions.

Get in touch

Let us know what you're doing! We welcome information that is relevant to community action and voluntary and community groups

communities@harborough.gov.uk | communitygrants@harborough.uk youthvoice@harborough.gov.uk

Newsletter sign up form if you got this newsletter online or via a colleague and want your own copy

You can also sign up to HDC residents' monthly e-newsletter