In this newsletter

What we've been doing!

Becca organised another Youth Council meeting at the beginning of the month focusing on roles, structure and promotion of the Youth Council.

We are pleased to say we have recruited a new member of the team who will be joining us in August. Her role will focus specifically on building the capacity of organisations to support people in the district who are most in need due to issues of disdvanatage, poverty, poor health or wellbeing, mobility issues, isolation etc. If this is something you are interested in or have ideas to contribute, please get in touch. More about this in the next newsletter.

Harborough District Community Awards 2025 - nominations now open!

We are thrilled to announce we are going to be hosting the second Annual Harborough District Community Awards to celebrate all the fantastic work individuals and groups are doing in the Harborough District. Nominations are now open. The awards ceremony will be held in October at Lutterworth College (HDC staff team pictured below at last year's awards).

See the website for more information about the categories and terms and conditions.

This is a great opportunity to showcase the work people in our community are doing so if you know of someone who you think deserves to be nominated for an award please fill out the nomination form below.

Community Grant Updates

***Community Grant reopening***

A reminder that the fourth and final round of the first £1m Community Grant opens on 30 June 2025 and closes on 11 August 2025 - note changed closing date.

Some of the area allocations are spent, but please still tell us about your project ideas, as we may have other suggestions for you or we can feed your needs into future developments, including for the next HDC £1m grant which we're hoping to launch in the autumn. 

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.

Round three funding awarded

Just over £240k was awarded from the £1m Community Grant to a wide range of projects at the Cabinet Sub-committee Grants on 24 June. It was great to see so many applicants at the meeting to hear about their activities first hand. An attendee commented that she had been collecting ideas from the projects that she'd heard about to take back to her parish. There's a list of the groups and projects funded for people to read to get your own inspiration! As these projects complete we will feature them in this newsletter to share good practice across the district, providing advice where appropriate from what we have learned.

*** Last chance for summer grants surgeries ***

We are continuing to run these for each round - feedback from our previous grants surgeries has been very positive, we asked what was most useful,

"We were grateful for the friendly help and information given at the surgery. The list of other grant giving bodies was helpful too."

"Guidance on the forms/understanding what was needed to maximise our chance of getting a positive result."

The following grants surgeries have been arranged. These are for anyone to talk to us about a potential project for the Community or Environmental Grants or advice about other funding, and where parish and town councils and parish meetings can talk to us about how they can encourage applications from their areas:

Ullesthorpe                 3 July - 1.00pm – 4.00pm

Thurnby                      4 July - 9.30pm – 12.30pm

You said, we did

We want to make things as easy as possible for applicants, so after each round we review your comments and we recently also did a survey with grant applicants and grant surgery attendees to improve processes. 

• We heard that filling in information about your organisation on the application portal could be confusing (these are fields that we can't amend) - so Grants Officers have created a step-by-step guide, downloadable from the how to apply section of the apply for the Community Grant page.

• We have also clarified that mandatory documents that are required alongside applications.

Over the summer we will continue to look at changes that we can make, please let us know if you have any suggestions.

Surgeries give people the chance to talk to a grants officer face-to-face and get advice about what will and won't be funded and how to structure the application for the best chance of success. People can come to any of the dates that suit them, and can also book an appointment to talk about about section 106 funding.

Even if your parish has used its allocation for this year, there will be a further £1m launching later in the year, so some groups have already been talking to us about future plans so they are ready to apply when it's launched.

Please book in advance for a slot to help us manage the sessions and so that you don't need to wait.

Councillors' Ward Improvement Grant

The new 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.

Do you want to improve volunteer recruitment, management and retention?

A new project, led by Home-Start South Leicestershire (HSSL) in conjunction with Harborough District Council, and funded through the Government UK Shared Prosperity Fund is just getting going. The project aims to increase volunteer recruitment, retention, and community involvement across Harborough District.  Activities will include providing direct support to volunteer-involving organisations and groups, running district-wide promotional campaigns and providing resources to strengthen volunteering as a pathway to meeting residents’ needs, skills development, employment, and social connection.

Emma Pickering, who is coordinating the project, started off telling us about HSSL's volunteering involvement, which the organisation is building on to give wider support to groups across the district.

Celebrating and supporting volunteers at HSSL

HSSL volunteers undergo a full training and assessment programme, including home visits, before being matched with a family or with one of our groups. Volunteers will learn about health and wellbeing, child development, child protection, community projects and a number of key areas of our specific services.  A programme of support and supervision, as well as ongoing developmental training, is in place throughout the year.

Volunteers have said about their involvement at HSSL,

“I can’t praise the volunteer course highly enough. The team are so friendly and welcoming, and completely approachable. Any questions or concerns are always met with patience, and support is always there.”

“I am just an ordinary person who has a small amount of time a week, and I am very glad I can spend it volunteering for Home-Start. The support and warmth from staff is incredible and I feel honoured to be a part of this. I also feel as a person much more fulfilled.”

Working across the district to support other volunteer-involving groups

HSSL's years of experience in recruiting, developing and retaining volunteers made them ideal candidates for leading a new volunteering development initiative in collaboration with HDC and funded by UKSPF. This short-term project (until March 2026) supports charities and organisations in the Harborough district who wish to develop their volunteer base, or helps companies interested in employer-supported volunteering. 

Talks will be delivered to sixth form colleges in the district as well as other youth organisations such as the Youth Council, The Cube and HCYC’s Speak Out magazine to establish the type of volunteering opportunities young people are interested in and to promote the benefits of volunteering with a view to college, UCAS or job applications.

Get in touch

To find out more about the volunteering development project contact Emma Pickering emma@homestartsouthleics.org.uk

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.

Youth Council activities 

On Wednesday 4 June we held another Youth Council meeting in the Council Chamber where we looked in more detail at the roles the young members want for their Youth Council, subgroups for the different strands of work of the Youth Council and how they would like to recruit new members for the new academic year. 

Focus on the future of the Youth Council 

We are continuing to focus on areas the young people identified as areas of interest to them as well as how the young people would like their Youth Council to run. 

Next steps for the Youth Council

We will continue working with members and other young people to develop a Youth Council vision and action plan that can influence others and inform specific projects. Alongside this we will develop a learning programme so that young people can increase their skills and knowledge. 

As Youth Council members have decided on the formal roles and structures they would like to see, we will be working with them on shaping these and devising an election or selection process for the roles.

The next Youth Council meeting

The next meeting is going to be held in Lutterworth on Tuesday 1 July where we will look at creating promotional videos to recruit new Youth Council members for the new academic year, look at the Community Awards Young Person of the Year award judging panel and hear about UKSPF and the money that has been allocated for the Youth Council to spend.

Meetings are 5.30pm-7.30pm and currently alternate between Market Harborough and Lutterworth, although this is something we will be reviewing with the Youth Council to maximise accessibility participation. 

Join the Youth Council!

 Although we have participants from across the district, we would also like to make sure all secondary schools and colleges in the area are equitably represented, particularly Kibworth Mead Academy and Thomas Estley Community College - so get in touch with Becca if you can help with this.

Open Spaces Strategy Consultation

The Council would like to hear the views on public open spaces from the public to ensure that we provide high quality and accessible spaces that meet the needs of residents in the future.

Public drop-in sessions where you can find out more and give your views in person will take place across the district at the following locations on the following dates (keep an eye on our social media for any changes): 

• Alan Talbott Room at Broughton Astley Village Hall on Monday 30June at 4.15pm – 5.45pm

• Main Hall at Kibworth Old Grammar School on Tuesday 1 July at 1.15pm – 2.45pm

• Great Glen Village Hall on Wednesday 2 July at 10.15am – 11.45pm

• Lounge at Scraptoft Community Hub on Thursday 3 July at 10am – 12pm

• Council Foyer at The Symington Building in Market Harborough on Friday 4 July at 1pm – 3pm

• Community Room at The Wycliffe Rooms in Lutterworth on Monday 7 July at 4pm – 6pm

There is  also an online questionnaire for residents to complete with their views.

Community spotlight: sharing your stories and inspiration

This section shares successes and good practice across the district to inspire others. 

Community Awards Special Recognition Runners Up: Dot and Tony, volunteers with VASL Community Transport Scheme

Background

Recognition for volunteers Dot and Tony in the Harborough District Community Awards for their long service.

Two long-standing volunteer drivers, Dot and Tony, were runners up in the Harborough District Special Recognition Community Award last year after being nominated by VASL for their outstanding commitment to the Community Transport scheme. Grants officer, Claire Betts, heard more from Dot and Tony themselves, as well as, further down, VASL staff about the transport scheme.

Claire - Dot and Tony, between you, you have clocked up an impressive 32 years as volunteer drivers. Tell us what motivates you to do this work and the rewards you get from it. Do you have any advice or guidance for others who might be considering becoming a volunteer driver?

Tony: The main thing for me is the ability to do something positive with my driving, which I very much enjoy. It’s good to be part of an efficient car scheme and to receive thanks from clients for a service without which they would be at a loss. Out of the several activities with which I was involved when we first came to the Harborough area, this is the sole survivor.

I have had personal experience of only one other such service and that was in Sidmouth, where the administrator would go into her office two or three times a week and the only destination was the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. I should like to think the whole country was covered one way or another, but I do know that my sister would dearly like one in the Droitwich area. I explain to our passengers that we drivers volunteer because we like to do something useful with our driving and the VASL social car service enables us to do so.

Dot: I had a friend who used to drive for VASL and, when I retired, I was determined that I didn’t want to sit around and watch TV all day, so I decided to give it a go – and that was 16 years ago.  I live alone, so volunteering gets me out and talking to lots of different people.  I have made quite a few friends through VASL, both clients and drivers.

If you are feeling lonely or have time on your hands, volunteer driving is an excellent way to get yourself out and chatting to others.

Anyone interested in volunteering as a driver should email Lisa at transport@vasl.org.uk.    

What are community transport schemes?

Transport difficulties, particularly in rural areas, are one of the most common issues that HDC communities team hears from parishes and community groups.  Community transport, or car schemes are one way that this need can be met - see below for contact details of the different schemes in the district.

Claire heard from Lisa Jones, the Transport Manager, and Julia Synnott, Charity Manager at VASL, to find out more about the role and impact of their community transport scheme:

What role do you feel the scheme plays in the lives of residents and how do you feel this has evolved over time?

It is an invaluable service for local people who can’t drive and who don’t have access to public transport, especially in rural parts of the district. The scheme assists people in getting to essential hospital and health appointments with ease and reassurance, reducing any stress or anxiety. Knowing that a friendly face is waiting for them must be a welcome relief. Our volunteers use their own vehicles to transport clients, claiming only for their petrol costs. It’s a lifeline, made possible thanks to the time and generosity of local volunteers. We are supported by Leicestershire County Council, but this grant has not increased in the last 10 years, so we rely heavily on donations.

What do you think are the main challenges for people locally and how can the Scheme help with this?

One of the biggest challenges people face locally is just getting to hospital or medical appointments, especially if they live somewhere with no public transport, can’t ask friends or family or feel too anxious to go alone. All the major hospitals are some distance away, public transport isn’t always an option and private taxi firms are too costly for a lot of pensioners.  The Community Transport Scheme helps with affordable transport from door to door, with the volunteers providing reliable, friendly support to make sure people can get to where they need to go. We know this service is essential for so many, not just for physical health, but for mental wellbeing and peace of mind too. Our transport team, Lisa and Jo, work hard to co-ordinate these huge numbers of journeys with clients and volunteers, but sadly we can’t always help every request. We are always looking for further funding and more volunteers to be able to support every request we receive.

Tell us about your volunteer drivers, how you attract them and some of the challenges they face.

We do advertise on notice boards, social media, local networks and at volunteering events, but mainly by word of mouth. Our volunteers are great advocates for the charity and new recruits have generally heard about us from other volunteer drivers. One of the biggest problems our drivers face is parking – especially at Leicester Royal Infirmary.  The volunteer car parking spaces are located within the general car park, which has very long queues and they are only allowed one hour’s free parking, which we all know is not long enough for any appointment there.

Rising fuel costs and time pressures can be challenging, but many drivers tell us they get just as much out of volunteering as the people they help. 

What have been some of the most rewarding moments for the transport team?

Families also really appreciate the peace of mind it brings. We also run separate social trips using Market Harborough Community Bus, which give clients a safe and enjoyable way to meet people, make friends and get out to garden centres, shops, and nearby towns, something many haven’t done in years.

If organisations are having trouble with transport, what can they do? 

We’d encourage them to get in touch with us. While our main focus is on individual medical transport, we’ll do our best to point people in the right direction or link them with other services. We know how important transport is in a rural area like ours - it’s something we’re all in together.

Is there anything further HDC can do to support organisations with this?

We’re really grateful for the support we’ve had from Harborough District Council and we’d love to keep building on that. Helping to promote our service, especially when we’re recruiting new volunteers, makes a big difference. Including us in newsletters, social media, or local networks helps us reach more people, both those who need our help and those who might want to get involved. This is a vital service for our community, and with the council’s continued support, we can keep meeting rising demand and make sure no one is left without a way to get to the care they need.

Referring residents to transport schemes

There are a few community transport schemes locally:

• VASL's Car Scheme operates in the east of Harborough District (up to the boundary with the A5199).

• Lutterworth Community Bus covers Lutterworth, Broughton Astley and the surrounding villages - get in touch with them for more information or to refer residents who need the services.

• There is also Harborough Community Bus that runs minibus for members for various activities.

Working in partnership

The Harborough District Council community engagement team is always looking for ways to bring groups together in the Harborough district as groups often tell that there are local residents that they find it harder to connect with. Running events in partnership with other groups is one way to get in touch with different residents.

If you are part of a group that would like to link more with other groups, contact us, we may be able to share information about your service.

Supporting wildlife in Harborough district 

We encourage parish councils and groups to explore how they can support wildlife and nature in their local areas. Recently, Grants Officer, Serretta Morris, had the opportunity to speak with Paige Ferrier, Volunteer Co-ordinator at Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust (LRWT), to ask her a few questions about setting up a new project or getting involved with an existing one.

What role does Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust play in helping communities or parishes take action for wildlife? 

We help communities by encouraging them to sign up to our Team Wilder initiative. We offer guidance on a range of topics which people can do as individuals or as community and parish groups. These are things such as how to make gardens suitable for specific birds, bats, worms and many more! You can find out more on our website here - https://www.lrwt.org.uk/team-wilder

What are some examples of wildlife projects that a parish or local group could do themselves? 

There are established local groups who do a range of activities, such as bat monitoring and surveying, badger awareness and support and various nature talks.  You can also find information on our website around making wildlife friendly gardens and spaces - https://www.lrwt.org.uk/help-wildlife-home

What types of volunteering opportunities does LRWT offer for groups? 

There will be a range of volunteering opportunities for the Rewilding Harborough project in due course so watch this space. Volunteering opportunities are on the LRWT website.

How do volunteers benefit personally from getting involved in wildlife projects? 

There are so many benefits to volunteering with wildlife projects. Volunteers get to spend time among like-minded people and make friends for life, as well as improving their mental and even physical health. They can learn new skills and knowledge and even pass that on to make even more people aware of wildlife and how to support it. They also see firsthand what the impact of these projects do for wildlife.

What would you say to someone who’s never volunteered before but is thinking about getting involved? 

Do it! Volunteering is such a rewarding experience and has so many benefits. Once you take that step into the world of volunteering you will never look back!

Funding and resources for wildlife projects

Capital wildlife projects that meet the council priority of 'Creating a sustainable environment to protect future generations' may be eligible for the HDC Community Grant which opens for the fourth and final round on June 30. Other potential funding is shared below.  

Severn Trent Community Fund

Severn Trent Community Fund | About Us | Severn Trent Water

Grants between £2,000 and £100,000 are available for new projects that address genuine community needs and have a positive impact on community wellbeing. Projects should ideally connect to the themes of People, Place, and Environment, with a preference for those related to water. Closing Date: Sunday 31 August 2025

LLR Community Foundation – Making local life better fund

Making Local Life Better Fund - OPEN (Closes 22nd September 9am) - Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation

Grants of £1,000-£3,000. Donors choose different charitable aims, but all support local communities, and many particularly want to support smaller grassroots community, voluntary and charitable groups improving the lives of local people. Funding can cover core costs, staffing, training and skills development, rent, hire, premises cost, volunteer expenses, equipment and materials. Round three application window closes Monday 22 September 25

National Lottery Awards for All - Environment

National Lottery Awards for All England – Environment | The National Lottery Community Fund

The National Lottery awards for all environment fund is for grants between £300-£20,000 for community-led projects that improve the environment and help people connect with and enjoy nature where they live. Eligible applicants from voluntary, statutory or community organisations can apply for funding for projects that help people connect with and care for nature in their area and/or make a positive difference to the environment. The application deadline is 17 December 2025

Naturesave Trust 

The Naturesave Trust - Naturesave Insurance

Grants of up to £5,000 are available to community groups, charities and social enterprises for environmental projects across the U.K. The theme for the current round is nature connection. Closing date 15 July 2025.

The Tree Council and Network Rail Community Tree Planting Fund

Network Rail Community Tree Planting Fund - The Tree Council

Grants between £2,500- £10,000 are available for charities, community groups and education institutions. Some of the key application criteria are, 'Clear community benefit and involvement, such as volunteering, education, or wellbeing initiatives; and improvements in biodiversity at the planting site. Round 1 closes 31 July 2025

The Matthew Good Foundation

Grants for Good - Connecting businesses with high impact small charities | Matthew Good Foundation

Grants for UK-based local community groups, charities, voluntary groups or social enterprises that are making a big impact on communities, people or the environment.

The Grants for Good Fund awards £60,000 of funding annually between twenty charitable organisations. The next application deadline is 15 September.

HDH Wills Charitable Trust 

The HDH Wills 1965 Charitable Trust

The Martin Wills Wildlife Maintenance Trust provides grants on an ad hoc basis for projects working for the conservation of wildlife and the environment. Grants are typically between in the £1,000 to £2,000 range, though sometimes up to £5,000.

Grants are made only to charities that focus on the conservation of wildlife and the environment.

B&Q Foundation

Apply For a Grant | B&Q Foundation

Grants of up to £5,000 for community garden projects for charities who are supporting people in need in the UK – those experiencing homelessness, in financial hardship, impacted by health, disability, or other disadvantage or distress. Applications are welcomed year round and take approximately two months to return a decision.

Co-op Local Community Fund

Ford Britain Trust 

The Ford Britain Trust | Ford UK

Special attention to projects focusing on education, environment, children, the disabled, youth activities and projects that provide clear benefits to the local communities close to Ford UK locations. Applications from all postcodes considered. Closer proximity to will be given higher weighting, in our area this is Daventry (Northamptonshire), as will projects supported by Ford employees. Closing date for small grants up to £250 is 30 June 2025. Closing date for larger grants up to £3,000 is 31 July.

Funding and resources from other organisations

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

While HDC provides grants for communities, groups often need to find further funding to complete projects. Here are some suggestions of other funders that have come across our radar that groups may be able to apply to. Inclusion does not imply that we endorse the funder, but we have spotted it and it seems applicable to the types of projects that we get enquiries about.

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.

Main grants scheme for village halls

ACRE - no closing date but they will close the fund if it becomes oversubscribed.

This capital funding is for those responsible for rural community buildings who wish to make substantive improvements to their building. Projects must improve one of their four outcomes for communities: improved health and/or wellbeing and/or reduction in rural loneliness; positive impact on the local environment that contributes to net zero; support for the local rural economy; and/or promotion of community cohesion

Awards can be made to cover 20% of eligible project costs, from £7,500 to a maximum amount of £75,000. Projects must therefore be to the value of £37,500 or more with the 80% balance of funding being provided from other sources.

They say that smaller grants may become available later in the year.

Architectural Heritage Fund

Heritage Revival Fund

The Heritage Revival Fund is now open for applications, supporting community groups to rescue and repurpose neglected historic buildings, particularly in town centres. Funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Historic England, this initiative aims to help transform heritage buildings into thriving community spaces.

Two types of grants are available:

• Project Viability Grants – Up to £15,000 to explore early-stage project potential

• Project Development Grants – Up to £100,000 to develop viable projects towards delivery

Priority is given to charities and not-for-profits working with historic buildings in towns across England. They have had a capital grants fund, but this is closing on 27 June as this newsletter is sent.

The Wolfson Foundation 

Funding for places

Grants for capital initiatives, i.e. buildings (new build or refurbishment) and equipment, funding organisations working across a wide range of topics. The minimum grant is £25,000 and the usual range is £40,000-£75,000, and larger projects require some match funding. There are two funding rounds each year, one is about to close, with the next opening on 20 November.

The MSE Charity

The MSE charity - window for first stage applications opens 2 - 10 July.

Their focus is to fund the delivery of activities that improve people's ability to become more financially capable in their present and future circumstances. Examples are:

• Money management workshops - understanding the basics, how money works in the UK, online banking, staying financially safe, household budgeting, how to generate and supplement low incomes.
  

• Training volunteers to deliver workshops or to provide peer support to others.
  

• Upskilling existing staff to access training to support their clients directly.
  

• Providing access to financial inclusion activities for people who are disadvantaged in any way such as by age, disability, ethnicity, or gender. 

They use a two-stage application process - stage one is open between 2 and 10 July. The form will be emailed to people who have filled in the pre-application eligibility quiz. Maximum request is £10k.

Leicestershire community energy project

GreenerFuture

The GreenerFuture project is offering funding and professional support for community energy projects, bringing local people together to generate renewable energy, save energy and create community benefits.  They offer funding for community groups, a free mentoring programme and a community energy support network.

Getting further support

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

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