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Welcome from the Communities Team
Dear Residents and Communities Network Members,
We are excited to present to you the latest edition of our Communities Network newsletter.
In this edition, we reflect on our recent sessions, including a Cost of Living session we hosted back in February, our Volunteer Awards and the Communities Summit.
You can also read about funding and grants available in the county, including on community energy and collaboration funding research, as well as a range of community groups.
We hope you enjoy!
The Communities Team
Communities Network
The Communities Network is a platform for Leicestershire communities to connect with each other about initiatives, projects, and activities which demonstrate local positive community action. Leicestershire communities are varied, with unique local assets and a wealth of skills and experience to share. This newsletter and our dedicated website which features local events and initiatives is designed to support this.
Our Communities Network offer currently includes Communities Network sessions, Community Conversations and Community Roadshows.
Communities Network sessions are short online sessions aimed at providing information, support and advice to communities across Leicestershire on relevant themes and topics. The Network sessions are a platform for sharing and utilising skills, knowledge, expertise and assets amongst existing groups and the community.
Community Conversations are a tool to help inspire and support communities. They are short, interview style conversations relating to discussions with the community about a particular topic that they are passionate about.
Community Roadshows are an opportunity for local businesses, charities, and groups to come together in person and find out more about what groups and activities are available locally.
The Communities Network hosted a session on Thursday 27 February focused on cost of living support and resources.
Melissa March from Citizens Advice LeicesterShire gave the first presentation, discussing how the organisation is approaching the cost of living crisis and the support it is delivering to communities.
We also heard from Jonathan Wright of First Contact Plus on the organisation's work, as well as Elaine Godber from Clockwise Credit Union on their approach to lending.
Finally, Bruce Harrison of Leicester South Foodbank explored how the group offers holistic support to communities.
On Tuesday 8 April, we hosted our Communities Summit.
We heard from a range of fantastic speakers, including Roseanna Burton and James O'Brien from the County Council, Herbert Daybell from the Communities Network Foundation, Pippa Vidal Davies and Debbie Miles-Williams from Culture Leicestershire and Dr Bryan Woodward from X&Y Fertility.
We also held a marketplace with a range of fantastic stallholders. You can check out our conversations with them over on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
Community groups and organisations across Leicestershire are being invited to apply for funding to kickstart renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in their local areas.
A total of £140,000 is available through the ‘Get Ready Community Energy’ Fund to support initiatives that benefit local communities.
Applications are open to registered charities, co-operatives, community benefit societies, community interest companies, and unincorporated community groups with a constitution. Successful applicants will be assigned a project mentor and invited to join the Community Energy Leicestershire Forum, a network providing peer-to-peer support for the development of community energy projects.
Applications are assessed on a rolling basis, but interested groups are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as funds are limited. The deadline for new Expressions of Interest (EOIs) and project plan submissions is 8 September, with final grant spending required by 28 November 2025.
For more information and to apply, visit the link below.
Co(l)laboratory, a pioneering new project, supported by the Universities Partnership and the Universities for Nottingham partnership is inviting community-focused organisations, and local networks that understand some of the complex challenges at the heart of Leicestershire’s communities to help develop new research projects aimed at benefiting people across Leicestershire and Rutland.
The programme brings together researchers, community-focused organisations and local citizens to deliver meaningful change for the people of Leicestershire and Rutland. Through collaborative workshops, Co(l)laboratory supports community-engaged research – this is research which is grounded in the needs of local communities, and which is continuously informed by and carried out with people with lived experience of the challenges in question.
In 8 years, the programme will train 50 PhD students and 25 Research Placements candidates in a unique programme of locally relevant, challenge-based research, supporting the development within the local community, to broaden prospects, facilitate change, drive growth and improve wellbeing.
The Leicestershire Ukrainian Community is a community group who are dedicated to fostering connections between Ukrainian guests and local residents, while promoting mental wellbeing and social integration through creative activities.
The group were awarded funding from Leicestershire County Council’s Ukrainian Community Grant programme, to run a series of neurographic drawing sessions for Ukrainian guests and local residents, in community venues across Leicestershire.
Neurographic art, which was developed by Russian psychologist Pavel Piskarev in 2014, is a structured yet free-flowing method of artmaking. Unlike traditional drawing which often focuses on replicating a specific image, neurographic art centres on creating organic, neuron-like lines and shapes, and is thought to have therapeutic benefits.
The programme of neurographic drawing sessions for Ukrainian guests and local residents have been extremely successful, with a number of sessions taking place throughout 2025. The sessions have helped to support positive mental health, while also promoting awareness and appreciation of the county's history and cultural heritage.
The sessions have been so popular that additional grant funding has been awarded, to enable further sessions to take place in the summer.
Coalville CAN (Communities and Neighbours) has been going from strength to strength as a hub for grassroots action and community-led development in North West Leicestershire.
Coalville CAN are proud to announce one of their biggest milestones to date: they now own their building!
Through the hard work and investment of over 180 members and a grant from the Community Ownership Fund, this purchase secures a permanent base in the heart of Coalville for events, enterprise, creativity, and collaboration. It’s more than just a building – it’s a shared space where ideas grow, connections thrive, and communities take charge of their future.
This summer, Coalville CAN are hitting the road! You can catch them at local festivals, where they’ll be bringing energy, creativity, and a touch of fun to litter-picking efforts. Coalville CAN are also proud to be part of national movements like the We’re Right Here campaign for community power, and a growing mycelial network of community asset developers across the UK.
Whether you’re curious, creative, or want to know more – you’re invited.
In addition to the opportunity for people to receive tickets for future festivals whilst litter picking to music alongside a warm and welcoming group, this year CCAN has agreed free day tickets for Leicestershire Sauage and Cider on Saturday 2nd August.
The ticket is a day entry ticket people will have to pay for any food and drink once inside the venue. We are offering these free tickets to groups and ideally starting with 20 tickets so people come together.
If you would like to know more about the volunteering opportunity please follow this link
Giving World can help charities and community organisations by providing business surplus stock free of charge, such as clothing, food items, toiletries, cleaning and household products as well as other useful items.
Leicestershire-based charities and community groups can collect goods directly from our Leicester City warehouse.
Leicestershire Cares is a charity that works with young people, including those with experience of the care system. Leicestershire Cares provides young people with the skills, confidence and experience to help empower and support them to find lasting solutions to many of the problems they face.
A new film has been created by Leicestershire Cares to shine a spotlight on the voices of young people whose lives have been transformed through the ground breaking Power to Change project.
Launched three years ago, Power to Change set out with a clear mission: to empower young people experiencing a range of challenges and barriers across Leicester and Leicestershire. Through mentorship, creative workshops, skills development, and community engagement, the project has supported dozens of young people in finding their voice, building confidence, and shaping their futures.
The film, produced in collaboration with participants, Doc Media Centre and Leicestershire Cares own youth worker Aaron, captures the heart of this journey. Featuring raw, personal reflections, it offers an honest look at the challenges many young people face when leaving care or navigating difficult life circumstances. But it also tells a story of resilience, solidarity, and transformation.
We would really like to hear from you and want to use this newsletter to showcase your good news stories and other local news. If you would like to share events information, success stories, information about your organisation or other content, please get in touch with us via email at LeicestersireCommunities@leics.gov.uk
Newsletter deadlines for providing content are as follows:
August - 1 August 2025
Become a Network Member
Would you like to connect with like-minded people? If so, why not join the Communities Network by filling in a short Communities Network sign-up form.
By becoming a Communities Network member, you will receive up to date information, news and details of local events. Networking can encourage connections with other individuals or groups facing similar problems and issues and can help us work together towards community solutions and to continue to Build Great Communities in Leicestershire.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Communities Team
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