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Harborough District Communities News
| March 2026 - focus on young people for European Youth Week
The aim of this newsletter from Harborough District Council (HDC) Community Engagement Team is to keep you informed and up to date with community development activities at the council and elsewhere and to share information, resources and success stories between you to support communities, build networks and relationships, and share ideas and good practice.
We'll keep you informed about any upcoming events inside and outside the council. Let us know if you've got anything to share.
Please share this newsletter with relevant colleagues, they can sign up below. |
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The Community Engagement Team
Opportunities to get involved!
Grants Young people
Consultations Getting support
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Community Development Officer, Gemma Finan and Youth Engagement Officer, Becca Powell recently attended an event (pictured right) hosted by Home-Start South Leicestershire, bringing businesses and community groups together to talk about employee supported volunteering, more about this in next month's edition. Gemma has also been out and about speaking with individual parishes, gathering views and visiting local libraries and community hubs as part of our project around financial and digital exclusion, read more on how you can get involved with this below.
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Gemma and Becky Nixon, Community Engagement Manager, have brought together a project group of HDC community engagement and customer services staff, Citizens Advice LeicesterShire and the Help Hub at the Churchgate Centre in Lutterworth to devise a "whole systems" model for how communities can better support residents with financial and digital inclusion. See below for next steps in this project and how you can help.
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Claire Betts and Serretta Morris, Grants Officers, have been busy with Community Grant applications, with £377k awarded to groups at the recent Sub-committee Grants, and supporting people with grant applications for round three of the Community Grant, which is open until 11 May, and for the Environmental Grant, which is closing this week on 1 April.
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Becca hosted another Youth Council meeting where young people did some work around Your Vote Week and the Community Governance review, providing an opportunity to talk to young people about the role of parish councils and encouraging them to think about how parish councils can work with young people to meet their needs.
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Youth Council members talked about their experiences of the Youth Voice event where they met young people from other areas which was featured in last month's newsletter. Youth Council members feeding back pictured left. They also fed back about the Finance Champions Programme they recently hosted at Kibworth Cricket Club, a very exciting project identified and developed by the Youth Council.
There will be further information about recommendations of the Finance Champions project in future newsletters. |
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Launching our new communities webpages |
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We are excited to launch our new Communities webpages. These pages provide a handy, user-friendly hub where you can find information on a wide range of topics, not just related to the work of our team, but also to wider HDC community initiatives, so please have a look around and tell us what you think.
Some of the key areas covered are: |
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Community Engagement Team - our different roles and areas of focus. Grants and funding - overview and links to all our different Community and wider HDC grants. Youth Council - overview, updates and upcoming meetings. Community Awards - explore nominations, criteria, and past winners of our Community Awards. Newsletter - sign up form for our community newsletter and link to last edition. Good practice and resources - useful support links for communities and residents, plus examples of good practice for community projects. Initiatives supporting residents - discover local initiatives and ways to get involved in community projects.
Let us know if there are other resources that you'd like to see from the team. |
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Opportunities to get involved
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Digital and financial inclusion
Progress so far and our next steps to develop support across the district |
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What we're doing and why we're doing it
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As we’ve described in previous editions of this newsletter, Gemma and Becky have been working with the HDC Customer Services team, Citizens Advice LeicesterShire and the Churchgate Centre Help Hub in Lutterworth to develop a model that helps to tackle financial and digital exclusion across the district.
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Digital and financial exclusion are interlinked issues that affect many residents, and sometimes in very hidden ways - while it can be an issue for older people, there are other groups of people that also struggle for different reasons. Parishes have told us that they know it's an issue but they don't always know who needs help or how to reach people. In our conversations with community groups, digital exclusion is one of the most common issues mentioned.
Gemma has been out and about speaking with individual parishes, gathering views about what is happening locally and what the issues are, and visiting our local libraries and community hubs to map what provision is out there already and what communities would like to develop. Thank you to everyone who has taken time to speak with Gemma, emailed views or completed the survey. It has helped us to build up a picture of the needs that are out there and to shape our next steps.
Developing a district-wide model and support to address the issues |
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Our overall aim is that we create a more cohesive network of support between services, volunteers and communities so that at whatever point someone seeks the support they need, they can be signposted or referred to the right service for them at the right time, for example identifying urgent situations or "red flags".
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To determine what type of support can be done by trained and supported staff and volunteers in community organisations, and what needs to be done by an experienced advice worker, Citizens Advice LeicesterShire has been pulling together some supporting information about what the different levels or “tiers” of support could look like and how referrals could be better coordinated.
What happens next and how you can be involved We are beginning now to work on how we might be able to implement the model, and we are interested to hear from groups about:
If you were provided with training and ongoing support, do you have any volunteers or staff who would be willing to help local residents with simple forms, digital tasks, signposting to local services? If a mobile project is developed centrally, would you be interested in hosting an “information hub” for residents to access support either as part of a current group (such as a lunch club or coffee morning) or as a stand-alone event? Would your residents welcome some support sessions around scam awareness and staying safe online?
We are very much at the development stage at the moment, so expressing an interest doesn't mean committing to anything! We are still keen to hear any views about residents' needs and would welcome any interest in influencing or being a part of the model.
Contact Gemma Finan, Community Development Officer on 07936 360191 or at communities@harborough.gov.uk
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This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, along with a wider programme of activities in the district.
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Supporting the development of Youth Clubs in villages |
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The community engagement team has been supporting potential development of youth clubs in Scraptoft and Houghton.
Gemma is now leading on the work with support from Becky and Becca that has brought together HDC, Scraptoft and Houghton Parish Councils, Houghton Field Association and Young Leicestershire, with initial support and advice from HCYC.
When Gemma was out and about in the district last summer and autumn to find out what groups wanted and where HDC could make most of a difference, activities for young people was another commonly raised issue. As a result, the team has supported networking among different groups, and finding funding for consultation and initial set up in these areas. The consultation in Scraptoft |
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Young Leicestershire is coming to the end of their consultation period in Scraptoft. They have had youth workers out and about speaking with young people and residents to gather information about what they would like a Youth Club to look like in the area (Community Engagement Manager, Becky Nixon pictured right at Scraptoft Community Hub with one of the Young Leicestershire youth workers who has been visiting the area). There has also been an online form that residents, parents and carers can complete to share their views.
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There has been a good number of responses from both young people and other residents which is helping to paint a clear picture for Young Leicestershire about the needs and wants in that area.
The new youth club is due to open after the Easter break, with timings and activities based on what has come out of the consultation, so look out for future editions where we will update you on how this progresses. Scraptoft Parish Council is really keen to share their learning, and Gemma will be keeping in close contact with them to share good practice and identify what further support is needed as they progress.
Houghton will also be undertaking a similar process in the coming months. For more information, contact Gemma at communities@harborough.gov.uk |
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This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, along with a wider programme of activities in the district.
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Community Grant updatesNow open - round three of year two of the Community Grant
Round three is now open and will close on 11 May 2026, with a 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 buildings, 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.
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.
Advance information about round four - the underspend round for year two autumn 2026
Round four in year two (expected to be late June - early August) will be an underspend round and will not necessarily protect any unused town or parish allocation - if there are more applications than funding available, assessment criteria will be considered to prioritise applications. In this round, groups will additionally be able to apply for any remaining underspend pot 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 second year or who 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 you know you are definitely going to apply for the grant in round four, it would be helpful to let the grants officers know about your intentions in advance. |
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Grants webinars - get help to apply!
There is still an opportunity to book onto our live Teams webinars with the Community Engagement Team. These are informal with lots of chances to ask questions. Grants officers, Claire and Serretta have already run two that take people through the Community Grant application process in detail and further webinars are detailed below.
Book onto a webinar using this link - Grants Webinars – Booking form. Upcoming topics are:
Webinar A - Step by Step - How to complete the online application form - 14 April at 2.30pm. Webinar C - Open forum - an opportunity to ask general questions about the Community Grant process or discuss a potential project - 20 April at 10.00am. |
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Previous webinar: Measuring what Matters: helping community groups show their impactHarborough District Council's Community Engagement Team recently delivered a practical session for local organisations on how to measure and communicate the difference their work makes, a skill that's increasingly important for securing grants and demonstrating value to the community. |
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Why does measuring impact matter?
Understanding and recording your impact isn't just a box-ticking exercise. It helps you make the case to funders, motivate volunteers, inform your trustees, and show local residents what you're achieving on their behalf. |
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Outputs, outcomes and impact — what's the difference? One of the key themes was cutting through the jargon. For example:
- Outputs are what you did — e.g. how many sessions you ran, how many people attended.
- Outcomes are what changed directly as a result of the project — e.g. new friendships formed, people gaining new skills.
- Impact is the bigger, longer-term difference — e.g. reduced isolation, improved wellbeing, a stronger community.
Funders often want to see outcomes and impact, not just outputs - it's the why you did something as well as what you did.
Practical tips from the webinar The webinar ran through the different stages of the impact cycle, for example covering suggestions such as: - Plan your impact measurement before a project starts, not afterwards.
- Think about who your audience is (funders, volunteers, local residents, trustees) and tailor your message to them.
- Use a mix of quantitative evidence (numbers and statistics) and qualitative evidence (stories, quotes, photos).
- Keep good records throughout so that it's easier to report at the end: feedback forms, case study interviews, and attendance figures all count.
Getting started
The team shared a simple planning template to help groups identify what outcomes they want to achieve, how they'll measure them, and where they'll use the evidence, whether that's a funder's report, a newsletter, or an annual review. Feedback
Thank you to everyone who attended and participated, giving specific examples for us to work through. Feedback on the session included, "Thank you so much, this has certainly helped to clarify the different categories of the information that is often requested."
"Thank you for the help, the final section is most useful for our grant application." "Thank you, that's been very helpful, especially given we're at the start of our fundraising programme."
Further support There are various national and local resources to get further support:
For direct support, contact the community engagement grants team at communitygrants@harborough.gov.uk - let us know if you would be interested in us running this webinar again. |
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It’s great to see eligible groups utilising the grants available with HDC and applying for both S106, Community Grant and Environmental Grants. To see if there is S106 funds for your community, please see the available funds here.
Katie Fox is always keen to discuss any possible projects, contact her at grants@harborough.gov.uk |
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Youth Council activitiesWhat the Youth Council has been working on |
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Finance Champions Programme - a Youth Council initiative
A project shaped and developed by young people, for young people
It has been a busy and exciting time for the Youth Council, as in February they hosted their government funded programme Finance Champions at Kibworth Cricket Club. This project was funded by the UKSPF with money the Youth Council were allocated and were able to decide how to spend. The Youth Council brainstormed ideas and created a focus group to work on the project; between them they decided to run a workshop all about money and finance as this is something they feel they don’t learn enough about at school.
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The Youth Council decided this programme would benefit year 10 students the most and all schools in the district were invited to bring along four students each. Youth Engagement Officer, Becca Powell, worked with HDC's economic development team and Nicola Moss from The Business Work Experience Hub CIC to help the Youth Council focus group develop a programme.
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Two finance experts delivered some really valuable presentations covering topics like understanding pay slips, university vs apprenticeship - the real cost, credit vs debit, hidden costs, scams and so much more that the young people engaged so well with!
Feedback on the day was fantastic: “Our young people who began with little to no knowledge or the world of finance have significantly benefited from the engaging sessions, gaining not only a strong foundation in financial literacy but also the confidence and motivation to navigate the financial world with assurance.”- Mohammed Seedat, accounting and finance teacher from Beauchamp College |
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“It was a pleasure to attend the Finance Champions Programme in Kibworth- an excellent initiative originally put forward by our Youth Council and funded by the UKSPF.
"I was so pleased to see it brought to life and delivered so successfully. It was fantastic to see children from a number of schools taking part; they were fully engaged, asked thoughtful questions, and showed a real interest in learning about finance. A great example of young people shaping positive opportunities for their peers.”- Cllr Jo Asher |
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Cllr Asher is pictured above with Youth Council members involved in the session.
It was a fantastic opportunity for the Youth Council to see a project through from start to finish and feel empowered that their ideas were taken on board and turned into a really successful event. Well done to the Youth Council for shaping this project and providing a valuable opportunity for other young people in the district. March Youth Council meeting in Lutterworth |
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At the latest Youth Council meeting on Thursday 12 March, young people who attended the East Midlands Youth Voice event last month in Mansfield and the focus group for the Finance Champions programme shared with the rest of the Youth Council their experiences and welcomed questions from other Youth Council members.
As it was Your Vote Week 9-15 March, we spent time looking at why voting matters, what problems young people might face when it comes to voting, what happens if young people don’t vote and how young people can be encouraged to vote. |
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We also looked at what people need to vote such as being 18+ (currently) in England and needing photo ID to vote in person. We talked about how the UK Government is currently in the process of lowering the voting age to 16 and how a new law called the Representation of the People Bill 2026 has been introduced to Parliament but there are still some stages to go through before the Bill potentially becomes law.
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We introduced the Youth Council to the current Community Governance Review on whether Market Harborough should have a town council or not. We took the opportunity from this to talk through the role of parish councils and what they do what and take responsibility for, why they matter to young people and what might change if Market Harborough does get a town council. The young people engaged really well and shared some insightful thoughts when we asked them for their thoughts on the following questions whether they already have a parish council or not.
What should a parish council do for young people? How do you think parish councils could engage young people more?
Through social media and events Posters and discussions at school Enabling young people to have a say on local matters Next meeting
This will be on Thursday 16 April 5:30pm-7:30pm in Market Harborough. The focus for this meeting will be around the environment rewilding where we will be welcoming John Bristow, Programme Lead for Rewilding Harborough from Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust to talk about what rewilding is, and what is happening in the Harborough district. We will also begin to think about the elections process for the Youth Council leadership team roles for the next academic year.
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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. |
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If you are a young person aged 11-18 interested in the Youth Council, or know of any young people you think might be interested in attending future meetings or if you have any questions or queries for Youth Engagement Officer, Becca Powell (pictured left at a Youth Council meeting) please contact her at youthvoice@harborough.gov.uk.
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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.
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European Youth Week24 April - 1 May 2026 |
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European Youth Week is set to take place from 24 April – 1 May 2026. It's organised by the European Commission every second year to celebrate and promote youth opportunities as well as engagement, participation and active citizenship all over Europe and beyond. This year’s focus is dedicated to “Solidarity and Fairness”, creating space to engage, connect and empower young people across Europe, giving them a voice in meaningful dialogues about the future of their communities.
More information is available from their website. |
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Spotlight on youth-focused projects from HDC grants
This section demonstrates some of the projects that have been funded from either Community Grants or Ward Improvement Grants over the previous couple of years. If it gives your group some ideas and you would like to talk through projects, please contact Grants Officers Claire and Serretta at communitygrants@harborough.gov.uk or see our website.
Scouts and Guides |
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1st Fleckney Scouts: With 120 current members and rapidly growing, the group used the councillors' ward improvement grant to move towards more modern, light-weight tents. They purchased five air beam and 12 pop-up tents, two extra air shelters for camp catering and an extra large event shelter. This additional capability has allowed the group to get outdoors and embrace nature, whilst they camp, cook and dine together. In addition, the pop-up tents have enabled their youngest members to experience camping in the safe confines of the new HQ building.
Following this expanded camping ability, the Scouts also used the grant to widen their camp cooking capability with the purchase of a gas-powered hog roaster, which can be used as a BBQ, rotisserie or oven. Able to cope with large numbers, this hog roaster is also being used at events and is available to the local community to rent. |
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Thurnby Scouts and Guides used a Ward Grant to purchase a large-screen wall-mounted TV, six tablets and printer to enable more varied activities to be run, plus six portable gas stoves and a water heater to enhance their camping capabilities.
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Activities for younger children |
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All Saints Church, Lubenham: The church used the ward grant to purchase a large variety of new activity equipment for their under 5s children’s group, Lubenham Lambs, which meets weekly. The new craft equipment, puzzles, games and books have greatly enhanced the play experiences of the village’s only children’s group for pre-school age.
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Kibworth Community Library: Following their move to the Community Hub, the library used the ward grant to develop the children’s area, including a colourful activity carpet, activity table and storage (pictured below). Their vision was to provide a safe, warm indoor play and learning space for children, particularly those who are under five and not yet attending school or nursery. Their project provided facilities for storytelling and Rhymetime, in addition to construction toys (building on their successful Lego Club) and various creative activities, which may be difficult for some families to provide. The children’s area provides positive play and learning activities, attracts many families and is playing a key role in developing parent-child relationships and ensuring the children are 'ready for school'.
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Market Harborough C of E Academy PTFA: The PTFA used the ward grant to purchase two fully accessible outdoor table tennis tables within the school playground. Their vision was to create an inclusive, durable and engaging space for active play, benefiting over 400 pupils across key stage one and two, as well as families attending school and community events.
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The tables are wheelchair accessible, built for all-weather use and designed to encourage teamwork, social interaction and physical activity. The project provides a valuable outdoor recreational facility that supports pupils’ health and wellbeing, promotes inclusive play and offers lasting benefits for both the school and wider community.
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Orchard C of E Primary: The Orchard Parents association received a grant for installation of a new outdoor trim trail to enhance opportunities for physical activity during break times, supporting pupils’ health, wellbeing and social development. Designed to be age-appropriate and accessible for children of varying abilities, the new equipment will encourage active play, coordination and confidence.
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Welland Park Academy: Welland Park Academy used their ward grant to install a large-scale photographic mosaic on the exterior of their octagonal theatre, created from over one thousand individual images contributed by students and staff. The project provided an opportunity for the whole school community to take part, fostering pride, identity and a sense of belonging.
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HDC Community Awards SpotlightRyan Johnson - winner of the HDC Young Person of the Year
(11-18 years) award |
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Winner of the Young Person of the Year (11-18) award Ryan Johnson, pictured right with High Sheriff of Leicestershire in 2025, Mr Stephen Bryan JP.
Ryan leads by example, inspiring younger scouts and encouraging others to become young leaders, while supporting camps, events and even catering logistics. |
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He volunteers extensively across the community as a Scout Young Leader, Police Cadet and campsite helper, giving up weekends and evenings to support others.
Ryan has also completed advanced first responder training and uses these skills to support community events, including mass casualty simulations. His dedication, maturity, and passion for service make him a role model with consistently glowing feedback from those he works with. The Youth Council judging panel chose Ryan as the winner of this award as they felt it was really admirable to give up so much of his own time to help others and across such a wide range of activities.
The nominator said ‘many of the young scouts enjoy his company and look up to him, which makes us extremely proud’ Well done to Ryan, an inspirational young person working hard in our district! |
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Consultations | Market Harborough Community Governance Review |
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Harborough District Council is carrying out a Community Governance Review in Market Harborough to consult on whether Market Harborough should have a parish council.
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As part of this process registered electors within Market Harborough itself will be invited to take part in a poll on Thursday 30 April 2026 on whether they would like to see a parish council for the town. Poll cards will be sent out prior to the poll.
For further information please email cgr@harborough.gov.uk |
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Other consultations
For other consultations, please visit the HDC consultations webpage - current consultations include neighbourhood plans for Great Bowden and Scraptoft, and a proposed waste and recycling depot at Welham Lane in Great Bowden. |
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Funding and resources from other organisationsThis section contains a selection of grants outside HDC that community groups can apply for. |
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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.
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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. |
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This month's funding opportunitiesYoung people focused funding opportunities
Access to high-quality activities and support for children and young people plays a vital role in building confidence, skills and wellbeing. A range of funding opportunities is available to support projects that provide safe, inclusive spaces, improve access to opportunities, and help young people reach their potential. The funds below include a mix of small grants, larger programme funding and capital investment that can support youth activities, community spaces and wider engagement.
BlueSpark Foundation BlueSpark Foundation Grants of up to £5,000
Funding for schools, community groups, clubs and other organisations to support the education and development of children and young people. Supports small-scale projects, including educational, cultural, sporting and developmental activities that may not otherwise take place or would be reduced without funding. Applications are open on a rolling basis. BBC Children in Need – Project Grants Apply For Funding
Grants of £1,000–£40,000 per year (up to 3 years)
Funding for not-for-profit organisations working with disadvantaged children and young people aged 18 and under. Supports projects addressing mental health and wellbeing, poverty, social inequity and family challenges, with a strong focus on early intervention and long-term impact. Funding can cover delivery, staffing and programme costs (not capital projects). Applications are open on a rolling basis.
Trailblazer Fund (Arts Council England) Trailblazer Fund | Youth Music Grants of £2,000–£30,000
Funding for organisations delivering inclusive music projects for children and young people (aged 25 and under). Supports projects that enable young people to learn, create or progress in music, particularly those facing barriers due to background or circumstances. Projects must be co-designed with young people and include match funding. Application windows: 10 April 2026 and 28 August 2026. NFU Mutual Charitable Trust What do we do
Grants typically £1,000–£50,000
Funding for charitable organisations supporting rural communities, with a focus on education, poverty relief and social welfare. Particularly suited to projects supporting young people in rural areas, including skills development, education and community engagement. Funding supports project delivery costs. Next deadline: 24 April 2026 (Trustees meet twice yearly).
Alec Dickson Trust Alec Dickson Trust Website Grants of up to £500
Funding for volunteering or community projects led by young people aged 30 and under. Supports initiatives that enable young people to take the lead in delivering projects that benefit their communities, particularly those experiencing disadvantage. Next deadline: 1 April 2026. The Martin Trust for Young People Home | The Martin Trust
Grants typically up to £2,000 (higher in exceptional cases)
Funding for voluntary and charitable youth organisations in Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland. Supports projects that make a direct and practical difference to young people’s lives, including activities, support services and engagement programmes. Next deadline: 16 May 2026. J. Reginald Corah Foundation Fund
Grants of up to £2,000
Funding for small charities and community organisations in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Supports a broad range of activities including youth initiatives, education, welfare and projects addressing identified local need. Particularly suited to smaller, locally focused projects. Applications accepted year-round. Email: jrcfoundationfund@gmail.com
The National Lottery Community Fund National Lottery Awards for All England Grants of £300–£20,000
Funding for projects that bring people together and improve communities. Supports new or existing activities, community spaces and early intervention projects that help people reach their potential or respond to local challenges such as the cost-of-living crisis. Funding can cover a wide range of costs including staff, equipment and small capital works. Applications are open on a rolling basis. Garfield Weston Foundation Home - Garfield Weston Foundation
Grants of up to £100,000 (Regular) and £100,000+ (Major Grants)
Funding for UK registered charities across sectors including youth, community, education and health. Supports capital, project and core costs, with a focus on organisations delivering strong, sustained impact. Grants typically contribute 10–20% of total project costs and require match funding. Applications are open on a rolling basis.
Asda Foundation – Local Community Spaces Fund Grants of £10,000–£20,000
Funding to improve or repair community spaces, making them more accessible, inclusive and welcoming. Supports projects that reduce isolation, strengthen community use and create safe environments for local residents, including young people. Opens for applications Spring 2026. Severn Trent Community Fund Severn Trent Community Fund
Grants of £2,000–£20,000 and £20,001–£50,000
Funding for projects that support community wellbeing under three themes: People, Place and Environment. Supports a wide range of initiatives including community spaces, environmental improvements and projects that build skills and resilience. Deadlines: 2 August 2026 (£20k–£50k) and 31 August 2026 (£2k–£20k).
Morrisons Foundation Making a difference to people's lives Grants of up to £10,000
Funding for registered charities delivering projects that tackle poverty, improve community facilities or support health and wellbeing. Particularly suited to projects with clear, practical outcomes and benefits for local communities. Currently open for applications. Metal For Good – Grants Grants – Metal For Good
Grants of £1,000–£3,000
Funding for grassroots organisations using music to address inequalities, improve wellbeing and support young people. Supports projects that use music creatively to engage underrepresented groups, build confidence and develop skills. Next deadline: 7 September 2026. Other themed funding
Market Harborough Building Society Community Fund - closes soon Grants of up to £5,000.
The fund aims to empower local initiatives, support grassroots projects and foster a spirit of togetherness. The main need the fund will support is poverty and disadvantage, which includes food and fuel poverty and rural issues/transport. Priority will be given to applicants working in Market Harborough and Kibworth.
Deadline for applications: Monday, 6 April 2026. The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland - Community Action Funding
There are three further rounds with varying opening and closing dates:
- Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) - 20 April 2026 - Voluntary Action LeicesterShire is coordinating a webinar with the OPCC about this fund.
- Neighbourhood Crime - 28 September 2026
- Buisness Crime - 8 February 2027
Eligible groups can apply for grants up to £10,000 to support their initiatives. |
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Getting further support
See the community engagement team website to download a document about the support available to various voluntary and community groups across the district. Let us know if there's anything else you think we could include.
The page also includes case studies about projects that have received Community Grant funding to share ideas and good practice with others. |
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Previous newslettersSee previous editions of our newsletter for good practice resources and funding suggestions. |
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