In this newsletter

The Community Engagement Team

• What the communities team has been doing

• Our communities webpages

Opportunities to get involved in community action

• Volunteers' Week - celebrate your volunteers

• Improving access to services and activities particularly in rural areas

• Can I apply for funding for our volunteer programme?  How to frame funding applications to support volunteering

Grants

• £1m Community Grant: 

  • Community Grant year two final round

  • Community Grant webinar

• Section 106

Around the district - celebrating the role of volunteers for Volunteers' Week

• Encouraging more people to get involved in volunteering: a longer read for people thinking about volunteer recruitment

• Spotlight on wellbeing projects from HDC grants: 

  • VASL new Market Harborough offices 

  • The Pavillion Pantry at Houghton Pavillion

• Volunteering in Lutterworth - Churchgate Centre

• Community Awards: Stewart Harrison, Royal British Legion

Young people

• Youth Council activities: activities for young people, Youth Council elections

• Young People's Strategy consultation with Kibworth Mead students

• Join the Youth Council

Consultations

• HDC consultations webpage

• Accessing support in the armed forces community survey from Leicestershire County Council

Getting support

• External funding opportunities: including funding for volunteering projects

• Getting support: funding resources and information about local and national support to groups

• Previous newsletters

• Get in touch!

What we've been doing

Gemma Finan, Community Development Officer attended the grand opening of the Houghton Pavilion (see picture above). This is the venue for their new Pavillion Pantry, hosting the local foodbank and community cafe.  Gemma has been working with them to understand more about the needs and gaps in the local area and to develop further links between Harborough District Council and community groups.  She's keen to understand and develop support in areas where there is currently very little, particularly the rural east of the district. 

The team hosted a work experience student from Lutterworth College, and she accompanied Gemma and Becky Nixon, Community Engagement Team Manager, on a trip to The Well in Kibworth (pictured below), where manager Andy Wright, talked about the history of the organisation and the services it provides now. Becca Powell, Youth Engagement Officer, spent time with the student looking at a communications plan for the Youth Council, particularly around launching the new logo.

Becca hosted May’s Youth Council meeting in Lutterworth, which you can read more about below.

Gemma and Becky Nixon, Community Engagement Manager, are continuing to work with Citizens Advice LeicesterShire and other groups across the district on a project to create a network of support across the district, particularly in rural areas, so residents are better able to get help where they are. This fits with the wider aims of the national Crisis and Resilience Fund, and we are hoping that the work that we've already done will help to shape how this is delivered in Leicestershire, particularly ensuring reach into the smaller villages where there is little provision, and using the framework that we've developed to ensure that organisations supporting residents are doing so within their capabilities and know where to get further support.  We're still keen to talk to parishes and other groups to build up evidence for funding applications.

Our new communities webpages

Volunteers' Week 1-7 June

Volunteers’ Week is a nationwide annual campaign that takes place from the first Monday in June, dedicated to recognising and celebrating the impact of volunteers. Many organisations use the week to promote volunteering and recognise their existing volunteers.

It showcases the wide range of volunteering taking place across the UK, bringing together people and groups through a shared commitment to supporting others.

Volunteers’ Week takes place from Monday 1 to Sunday 7 June.

How can we get more volunteers? A longer read for groups who are thinking about volunteer recruitment

Finding volunteers is one of the biggest issues that voluntary and community groups face (along with finding funding).  When there's a volunteering role to fill, it's tempting to dive straight in, write a role description and publicise it through social media and other routes.  

If responses are thin on the ground, the problem often isn't the opportunity itself; it's that the message hasn't been shaped around what actually motivates people, or conversely what puts them off. Taking a step back before you start recruiting  and asking why someone would want to do this, and what might make them hesitate can make all the difference in whether or not it's successful.

Over the past couple of years, the national Community Life Surveys found that volunteering has been at its lowest rates since the survey began.

In 2024/25 17% of adults volunteered formally (e.g. for an organisation or group) annually, down from 27% in 2014, and 24% volunteered informally (e.g. helping out in their community but not as part of a group) compared to 45% in 2014.

Groups often tell us that they are struggling for volunteers.  The 2023 Voluntary Action LeicesterShire State of the Sector survey found that 43% of respondents had problems finding and keeping volunteers.  Yet some organisations do buck the trend and have to turn volunteers away.

Why are some organisations more successful in recruiting and retaining volunteers than others?

Certain factors can make some organisations and groups and some volunteering opportunities more attractive. For example:

• Volunteering that is meaningful – people can see they are making a difference.

• Volunteering where people feel valued - "We’re part of the team, not just a volunteer”.

• Volunteering where people feel competent and a sense of autonomy – some people want to learn new skills, but for others using existing skills and sharing their knowledge with others is more important.

• Volunteering where people feel a sense of connection to others and that they were part of something bigger - “We’re a family here, everyone looks out for each other”.  Linked to this, evidence suggests that peer support from other volunteers is more highly correlated with volunteer performance, satisfaction and retention than support from paid staff - so ensuring that your volunteers can connect with other volunteers if they want to is important.

What stops people from volunteering?

The Community Life Survey tells us why people don't volunteer (see box below).  Looking at these, we can break the population down into different categories to help us to think about different remedies for different situations:

People who already volunteer (who may or may not want to take on further opportunities - be careful of volunteer burnout!).

People who are very unlikely to volunteer at this particular time - the barriers may be too great - they may volunteer in the future but at the moment these are not your target for volunteering. According to the Time Well Spent research (see below) this is 28% of the population - so that leaves a massive 72% of the adult population who do or potentially would volunteer.

Other concerns about volunteering identified in NCVO's Time Well Spent research in 2023 included:

• 33% - I don't want to make an ongoing commitment

• 14% - I'd be worried I haven't got the right skills or experience to help

• 14% - I'd be worried I might end up out of pocket (e.g. transport costs to go volunteer)

• 14% - I would be put off by all the associated bureaucracy/administrative processes

• 12% - I would be worried that I wouldn't fit in with the other people who were involved

• 10% - I don't think my existing skills/ experience could be used

• 6% - I would be worried about the risks

• 4% - My family/ partner wouldn't want me to get involved

• 3% - I have been put off by negative experiences giving unpaid help in the past

• 2% - I have an illness or disability related to covid-19 that I feel prevents me from getting involved

These are all genuine concerns and something for volunteer-involving organisations to think about when structuring and communicating opportunities.

Why people do volunteer and how can their motivations fit with your volunteer opportunities?

People volunteer for different reasons - for some it's a particular cause or organisation perhaps that they or their family or friends have connected with, others want social contact - new friends or a way to structure their time, some want to "give back", others to learn new skills or use the skills that they have. If organisations are able to connect with these motivations to structure and advertise opportunities, there is more chance of recruiting and keeping volunteers.

These are the reasons given in the Community Life Survey as to why people volunteer:

• 46% - I wanted to improve things/help people 

• 31% - I had spare time to do it 

• 29% - The cause was really important to me 

• 26% - I wanted to meet people/make friends 

• 23% - I felt there was a need in my community 

• 23% - I thought it would give me a chance to use my existing skills 

• 20% - Its part of my philosophy of life to help people 

• 16% - It was connected to the needs of my family/friends 

• 14% - I thought it would give me a chance to learn new skills 

• 13% - Its part of my religious belief to help people 

• 11% - My friends did it 

• 10% - My family did it 

• 9% - I felt there was no one else to do it 

• 5% - It helps me get on in my career 

• 2% - It gave me a chance to get a recognised qualification

What factors should you consider to encourage more people to get involved?

There's a mix of different concerns that people have related to volunteering.  Some of these are practical about the time commitment, flexibility, getting expenses paid, the process to get involved, transport.  Others are more relational - will they meet new people, will it help them in other aspirations, can family and friends be involved.  See the final statistic relating to how many people wouldn't get involved, which indicates, as mentioned above, that 72% of people potentially would.

From Time Well Spent 2023 - what would encouage people to be involved:

• 30% - If I could be flexible with the time committed

• 26% - If I could be flexible about the way I gave my unpaid time (e.g. do it from home etc.)

• 15% - If someone asked me to get involved

• 12% - If I knew about what opportunities to give unpaid help were available

• 12% - If my family/ friends got involved with me

• 11% - If I could meet new people

• 10% - If I knew I could get any expenses paid

• 9% - If someone could provide transport when I needed

• 8% - If the process for getting involved was easier and quicker

• 8% - If I knew it would benefit me in my career/ job prospects

• 8% - If my employer supported/encouraged it

• 5% - If I knew it would help me improve my skills

• 8% - Don't know

• 28% - Not applicable -  nothing in particular would encourage me to get involved

What are the benefits of volunteering?

For people who do get involved in volunteering, there are a huge range of benefits that you can promote to potential volunteers.

Time Well Spent - what people get from volunteering:

• 89% - I enjoy it

• 89% - It makes me feel I'm making a difference

• 88% - It gives me a sense of personal achievement

• 87% - I meet new people

• 81% - It broadens my experience of life

• 75% - It improves my mental health and wellbeing

• 74% - It brings me into contact with people from different backgrounds or cultures

• 73% - It gives me more confidence

• 72% - It gives me new skills and experience

• 68% - It helps me feel less isolated

• 48% - It improves my physical health

• 39% - It improves my employment prospects

How can your group use this information?

So what does all this mean in practice? The statistics in this article are useful, but only if they prompt some reflection on how your group presents itself. Here are some straightforward things you can do:

• Read through and think about how you can use the information. There are some pointers below, but reading the statistics may enable you to reflect on factors specific to you.

• Lead with what volunteers gain, not just what you need. People are drawn to volunteering for all sorts of reasons — connection, purpose, new skills, getting out of the house, structuring their time. Make sure your promotional material speaks to those motivations, not just the task that needs doing. And the research tells us that the benefits are real: the vast majority of volunteers say they enjoy it, feel they're making a difference, and that it improves their mental health and wellbeing.

• Let your existing volunteers do the talking. A short quote, a brief case study, or a friendly photo from an existing volunteer will help people to get a feel for the organisation - particularly if you show a range of people that potential volunteers can identify with.

• Think about flexibility. Flexibility is one of the biggest factors in whether someone takes the plunge, whether that's choosing their own hours, doing things from home, or helping in a more ad hoc way. If your group can offer any of this, say so clearly. Many groups can but simply don't think to mention it.

• Address concerns head-on. Many people quietly worry they won't fit in, won't have the right skills, or that it'll cost them time and money they can't spare. Be upfront: make clear that no experience is needed (if that's true), show that your group is welcoming and mixed, and always aim to cover out-of-pocket expenses. If transport is a barrier, consider whether you can help with that too.

• Reduce bureaucracy. Complicated sign-up processes put people off. Keep things simple, low-commitment to begin with, and make sure people know exactly what happens next. A named contact and a warm welcome message go a long way for someone who's not sure.

• Ask people personally. A significant proportion of people say they'd volunteer if someone simply asked them directly. A personal ask, from a friend, a neighbour, or an existing volunteer, can be far more powerful than a general social media post. Encourage your current volunteers or others involved with your group to spread the word and, better still, to bring someone along with them.

• Make your group visible. A surprising number of people say they don't volunteer simply because they didn't know opportunities existed or couldn't find them. Make sure you're easy to find: online, in local spaces, and through word of mouth.

• Look at your organisation through fresh eyes. The research tells you what people are thinking, the task now is to make sure your promotion, recruitment processes and volunteers experience in the role reflects that.

For more information:

• NCVO's Time Well Spent suite of research has a huge amount of information and insight from over 10,000 volunteers, including a diversity report of what different groups of people think about volunteering.

• The Investing in Volunteers Quality Award is an evidence and experience-based guide to good practice in volunteering. You can download the standard and work through it without signing up for the award, although if you do sign up you will have access to further guidance, including some geared to particular types of volunteering, and the support of an assessor to develop it.

• Voluntary Action LeicesterShire provides local support around a range of subjects related to volunteering.

Opportunities to get involved

Improving access to services and activities particularly in rural areas

We are continuing on our mission to try to create a more joined up way of working for services across the district through a number of routes.  We understand that systems of support are often complex and can be incredibly difficult to navigate, and these difficulties can be further exacerbated in more rural areas of the district.  We regularly hear that services can struggle to reach those in the more rural areas, and that residents in these areas are often either unaware of support services available, or find it difficult to access them.

Shaping the Crisis and Resilience Fund Community Coordination strand

This month we have responded to the consultation about how the Community Cohesion and Coordination strand of the Crisis and Resilence Fund will operate locally. Leicestershire County Council will be procuring this service in the next few months - it focuses on strengthening local coordination of support services; improving partnership working across statutory services VCSE organisations, and community groups; addressing service gaps, duplication, and fragmentation; and improving residents’ ability to access appropriate support through clear pathways and trusted local connections. It will work alongside the direct support to individuals provided by the fund.  Since the HDC Community Engagement Team has already worked on a model for delivery in the Harborough district, we have contributed learning and resources from the development and consultation we've already done to ensure that the needs of a predominantly rural district are taken into account.

Mapping and supporting local activities so HDC can better support residents in need

We are also continuing to build up a map of the services and activities within Harborough so that HDC fronline departments, starting with customer services, will have clearer routes to refer residents with support needs.  Some of this is ensuring that staff know of the existing services, but our mapping shows that while there is service provision in towns and larger villages, there are rural parts of the district that are massively under-served. Last year's HDC councillor Ward Improvement Grants have helped to fill some of those gaps, for example a walking group for people with Parkinson's, a village lunch club, developing youth clubs, all initiatives where local people have spotted a gap and are working, mainly as volunteers, to fill, and we will be reporting on projects in future editions of this newsletter.

We know that access to services particularly in our more rural areas can often be limited and restricted, with transport being an additional barrier. One option we are keen to explore for these areas is the idea of mobile or satellite hubs (also mentioned in the VASL article below).

What is a mobile or satellite hub?

A mobile or satellite hub would be a collection of services and activities that visits different areas at different times. While this happens at static venues such as The Well Kibworth, the Churchgate Centre in Lutterworth, and Cafe Fifty Five, it is more difficult to coordinate in smaller villages. This could allow the opportunity for local services to "pop up" in the area on a given day and time, giving local residents the chance to access support directly from a service without the need to travel, and services the opportunity to engage with local residents in areas that are usually quite hard to reach.  This could be as part of an established community group, such as a coffee morning or community cafe, or as an additional event on it's own.  Local volunteers could be involved to help provide ongoing support and signposting to residents.  

Next steps - bringing parishes, charities and community groups together

Would this be something that would be beneficial to the residents in your parish?  Do you have an ideal location that this could be held?  Would your service welcome the opportunity to be a part of a network of outreach support?  Would you benefit from learning from what has and hasn't worked in other areas?

We are looking at coordinating a webinar or event where district charities and parish councils, meetings and other community groups come together to look at how this might work so let us know if this is something you'd be interested in.

Whatever your thoughts or views, we want to hear from you!

Contact Gemma Finan, Community Development Officer on 07936 360191 or at communities@harborough.gov.uk

Community Grant updates

Underspend round - opens 26 June 2026

The final round of year two of the Community Grant will be an underspend round and the provisional dates for this are 18 June to 3 August 2026 to be confirmed. Full details about how to apply and supporting examples and templates are online.  

Please note the dates have changed slightly from those originally suggested due to change in committee dates.

The underspend round 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 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.

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.

Grants Webinar - 6 July at 2.30pm

Grants Webinar – Booking form

Follow the above link to book onto onto our live Teams webinar with the Community Engagement Team. This will be informal with lots of chance to ask questions. 

This webinar will focus on a step-by-step walk through the Community Grant application portal/form on Grantapproval, including the information required under each question, what makes a good application and how to demonstrate community need and benefit. Attendees are also welcome to ask any questions related to the application process or projects they are considering.

Encouragement to contact us!

“The enthusiasm and friendliness of the grants team [was particularly helpful].”

Section 106

Youth Council activities

What the Youth Council has been working on

At the last meeting on Thursday 7 May, held in Lutterworth, we welcomed Alison Jolley from Young Leicestershire (pictured below) to speak to the young people about consultation for youth groups and to gather their views and ideas of how to find out what young people really want and the best way to reach them. 

As the Youth Council 2026 elections are coming up to appoint the new Leadership Team for the 2026/2027 academic year, we then looked at the person specifications for the roles. The young people thought about what questions they might ask the candidates standing for roles which they can ask them at hustings, which we are doing at the next Youth Council meeting on Thursday 4 June in Market Harborough. Some questions they came up with for the different roles were:

• What leadership experience do you have? For example a sports club or at school.

• How confident are you in talking to new people? 

• How would you influence people to join? 

• How would you plan a Youth Council meeting? 

• Can you share an example of your experience with money and budgets? 

• What experience do you have in writing, photography, design or social media? 

Youth Council members have been invited to stand for roles and are currently spending time writing their manifestos, ready to share at the next meeting. Online voting for Youth Council members will open and the roles will be announced in the last meeting of the academic year in July. Over the summer, the new Leadership Team will spend time transitioning into their roles ready for the new academic year.

Kibworth Mead Work Experience Students at MHBS

This was a great opportunity for the young people to share their thoughts and ideas about the priorities the Youth Council have identified:

• Skills, careers and employment

•  Environment and climate action

• Affordable housing and independent living

• Youth engagement and voice

• Activities, youth groups and 'places to go'.

We want to capture the views of young people across the district when revising HDC's Young People's Strategy to ensure we are hearing a wide, diverse and inclusive range of voices. The young people engaged well with thinking about the five priorities and shared their ideas back to the group. They identified things like social anxiety and lack of confidence prevents young people from seeking opportunities or attending youth groups, a lot of activities are sports based and they would like more places to just 'hang out' or play games and enjoy shared hobbies. They would like early support with careers and employment so they feel prepared when the time comes, as well as communication skills support. Their comments will feed directly into the Young People's Strategy and help to shape it so it works for young people.

If you are involved in a young people's group that would be interested in inputting to the Young People's Strategy, please contact Becca at youthvoice@harborough.gov.uk to find out more.

Next meeting

This will be on Thursday 4 June 5:30pm-7:30pm in Market Harborough. This meeting will focus on hustings for our Youth Council elections. 

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.

Spotlight on volunteering 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.

Voluntary Action South Leicestershire (VASL)

This is what Julia (pictured below) told us about the organisation, the people who use its services and the many volunteers that support projects:

VASL is a local charity that has been supporting people across Harborough District and Leicestershire since 1987. We support carers, older people, isolated individuals and those experiencing mental health or wellbeing challenges through services including community transport, befriending, wellbeing support and dementia support. A huge part of our work is helping people feel connected, supported and able to remain independent within their community. We work closely with volunteers, local partners and other organisations to respond to the changing needs of local people. Thousands of people every year are supported by a mixture of 16 paid professional staff and a fantastic team of 150 volunteers. We currently run a range of services including:-

• Support for Carers Leicestershire - support for unpaid carers (currently over 8,500).
• Community transport scheme - 48 volunteer drivers (70,000 miles per year).
• Community Champions - befriending/running community activities for older people (63 volunteers, 70 clients and 60 digital clients).
• Mental wellbeing support - (24 volunteers and 70 clients)
• Dementia support for carers and families - supporting over 50 families (6 trained volunteers)

Mainly focused on the operational side of running the charity, a large part of my role involves making sure the organisation remains sustainable, responsive and able to continue delivering high quality support to local people. While much of this work happens behind the scenes, it is essential in allowing our frontline services and volunteers to make a real difference in the community.

 In addition, our carers support helps unpaid carers feel recognised and supported and our volunteers provide companionship and reassurance, often becoming a lifeline for individuals. We also create opportunities for people to reconnect with their community, which has a huge positive impact on confidence and mental wellbeing. 

In terms of your recent Community Grant for partitions and furniture in your new premises, in what way do you feel these will help VASL to provide its services?

The funding has made a huge difference to our new office space. Previously, we were based out of town, which made us less visible and harder for people to access. Moving into a high street location has already helped improve awareness of VASL and made us much more approachable for local residents and volunteers. The funding for the partitions and furniture has allowed us to create a welcoming, professional and flexible environment that genuinely works for the community.

We are now able to hold confidential one-to-one meetings in a private space; run small groups, drop-ins and wellbeing activities; offer a comfortable soft seating area where people can drop in and feel relaxed and welcome; create a more accessible and community-focused environment for visitors, volunteers and staff. We have already used the space for gatherings, training volunteers and meeting clients. The space would not have worked or been possible with out the support of HDC. It now reflects the quality and professionalism of the services we provide, while also feeling warm and inclusive. It has really helped us create a community hub rather than simply an office.

What do you all find the most rewarding part of the work which VASL does?

What challenges do you have reaching out into villages in some of the more rural areas of the district?

Many people living in rural villages have limited public transport, especially older people or those who do not drive. This can leave people feeling isolated and unable to access services, groups or appointments. We also find that some rural residents can feel overlooked or disconnected from what is happening in the wider district. Information does not always reach people easily, and some individuals may be reluctant or unable to travel into town. Recruiting volunteers in rural areas can also be challenging because travel and time commitments can be more difficult.

Is there anything that you've done that has been successful in any of the smaller villages?

Yes - taking services directly into communities has worked very well. For example, outreach roadshows and community sessions in villages helped people feel heard and included rather than forgotten. When services are brought closer to people, engagement is often much stronger.

We have also seen success through partnership working and using local community spaces to hold activities or drop-ins. One idea we think has real potential is developing more “satellite hubs” in rural areas - similar to banking hubs - where different charities and services regularly attend a local venue on set days. This could make support far more accessible for rural residents.

What would you like to do, what challenges do you have and how could we help you?

We would like to continue expanding outreach into rural communities so that support is not dependent on someone being able to travel into Market Harborough. The main challenges are funding and resources; volunteer recruitment in rural areas; transport limitations and finding suitable local venues and sustainable ways to deliver services.

Support from the council in areas such as community transport, promotion of local volunteering, partnership opportunities, and access to community spaces would make a significant difference. There is also huge value in organisations working together to create more localised support hubs within villages and smaller communities.

Many volunteers stay with us for years because they enjoy the sense of purpose, community and connection. We also try to match volunteers with roles that genuinely suit their interests and strengths, which helps create meaningful experiences for everyone involved.

What are the challenges voluntary-run organisations face?

The biggest challenges are usually funding, increasing demand for services and volunteer recruitment and retention. Many charities are supporting people with increasingly complex needs while also facing financial pressures themselves. There can also be challenges around capacity and staff burnout; rising operational costs; accessing long-term sustainable funding ; reaching isolated communities and encouraging younger people or working-age adults to volunteer when people are already stretched for time.

Despite these challenges, voluntary organisations play a hugely important role in supporting communities and often provide early intervention that prevents bigger problems later.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about doing voluntary work or setting up a group, but perhaps worried about the commitment or lack of knowledge?

I would say start small and don’t underestimate the value of what you can offer. People often think they need specialist skills or lots of spare time, but even a small amount of time can make a real difference to someone else. Volunteering can also be incredibly rewarding personally, It helps people build confidence, meet others, learn new skills and feel part of their community.

For anyone setting up a group, I would say don’t be afraid to ask for help and build partnerships.

Most organisations and communities are very supportive, and there are lots of people willing to share advice and experience. You do not have to do everything perfectly from the start - the important thing is responding to a genuine community need and being willing to listen and adapt.

If you are interested in volunteering or would like to contact VASL for their support, Julia would love to hear from you:

Telephone : 01858 433232
Email : admin@vasl.org.uk
Address: VASL, First Floor, The Old Bank, 40 The Square, Market Harborough, LE16 7PA

Funding for the project included community donations, support from external funders, Section 106 funding towards the build, a Community Grant for furniture and an Environmental Grant supporting the installation of solar panels.

The new facility has opened up opportunities for the development of the Pavilion Pantry and Community Café, creating a safe, welcoming and inclusive place where people can come together each week for conversation, support and community connection.

Every Wednesday morning, volunteers help bring the space to life. From preparing refreshments and welcoming visitors, to sorting donations and supporting food parcel collections, volunteers are at the heart of everything the Pantry does.

Lead volunteer Wendy Tyler shares her own volunteering experience:

“When moving to Houghton on the Hill just over four years ago I knew I wanted to be involved in something in the village but was not sure what. Shortly after I heard about the proposed food bank being set up here and decided to become involved. The opening of the food bank in May 2023 tied in with me taking early retirement so everything fell in to place nicely. As I was not working I volunteered at several of the sessions and soon became one of the regular volunteers. About a year later I was asked if I would consider becoming a team lead which I did and was trained up for this position over the coming weeks.

"As I was new to the village and although I knew a few people who lived here already being part of the food bank has introduced me to many more friends in the village and the wider area. It is a very welcoming group of people who are happy to help you until you are fully trained and confident with what needs to be done.

"Being part of the Foodbank and Pavilion Pantry has given me the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends as well as helping vulnerable people in need. I would definitely recommend anyone to get involved as helping to make someone’s life a little easier is one of the best feelings in the world."

For more information and contact details see the Pavillion Pantry's Facebook page.

Volunteer's Week - volunteering in Lutterworth

In celebration of Volunteers’ Week, our Community Development Officer, Gemma, visited the Churchgate Centre in Lutterworth to speak with Tor Berry, Community Development Lead, and other volunteers about the impact of volunteering for their organisation.

St Mary’s Church and the Churchgate Community Centre work with around 40 regular volunteers who faithfully support a wide range of projects throughout the year, including the Open Kitchen, Help Hub, Veterans’ Breakfast, Little Acorns Toddler Group, Summer Club, Church Café, Foodbank, and more. Every one of these services depends on their commitment, reliability, and generosity. None of it would be possible without the strength of the teams of volunteers. 

One project they are extremely proud of is their Open Christmas, pictured below left. This happens on Christmas Day itself, when around 60 people gather for a shared lunch—many of whom would otherwise spend the day alone or without company.

Blooming Lutterworth is another volunteer-led initiative in which a group of inspiring volunteers give their time throughout the year to maintain and care for planted areas across Lutterworth.  They quietly give their time to transform public spaces, helping to make Lutterworth a more welcoming and attractive place for everyone.

The Summer Club at St Mary’s Church provides an opportunity for young volunteers in the area.  Engaging in a Junior Leadership programme, teenagers take part in a leadership course and safeguarding training, providing them with the opportunity to develop their confidence, responsibility, understanding and practical skills to support working with children in the summer club safely and effectively.

Trustees are also an important part of the volunteer sector, serving across a wide range of charities and community groups, quietly giving their time, skills and leadership to keep services running and communities supported.

What draws people to volunteer?

One volunteer, Martin Iliffe, describes his experience of volunteering as something that shapes how he sees people and community:

“It really helps me stay grounded. You meet people from all walks of life and different situations, and it broadens your understanding of what people are dealing with day to day.”

Martin volunteers across several areas, including leading digital support at the Churchgate Community Centre, where he helps people with form filling and accessing services. He is also involved with Rotary, where his highlights include the Disability Games and the Rotary Technology Tournament, which this year involved 12 school teams from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5. 

What is mentioned here is merely a snap shot, and we know that so much more goes on, both in this area, and across the district.  But, without the dedicated volunteers, many projects simply would not run and the support and opportunities available to all age groups and demographics across communities, would be vastly reduced.  Thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers across the Harborough District.

More information about the Churchgate Centre and their services and for contact details are on their website.

HDC Community Awards

Stewart Harrison - Royal British Legion - runner up of the HDC Volunteer of the Year (60+) award

Stewart is pictured above right getting his award from Stephen Bryant JP, High Sheriff of Leicestershire in 2025.

Can you tell me a little about your background, the work you did in the Armed Forces and your volunteering work now?

My career began in the Royal Air Force, where I joined as a Boy Entrant and rose to the rank of Corporal after six years. Following restructuring, I transferred to the Army and joined the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, again progressing quickly through the ranks. During my service, I was stationed in the UK and overseas, including Yemen, Oman, France, Holland, Belgium and Cyprus.

After leaving the Armed Forces, I joined the Prison Service in 1977 and worked there for 25 years. During that time, I completed a degree in Psychology with the Open University and later an MSc at London University. I went on to work as a Psychologist with the Prison Service and Police, and later became a Lecturer at Glasgow University, specialising in serious incidents, hostage management and offender behaviour.

Now, I volunteer with the Royal British Legion (RBL), where I help support veterans and the wider community.

How long have you been volunteering with the Royal British Legion and what does your role involve?

I have been a member of the Royal British Legion for around 20 years, although I became more actively involved when I joined the local branch.

I currently serve as Branch Chairman and lead the Poppy Appeal. My role involves working with various organisations to support veterans and their families.  I have worked with Regimental Welfare personnel if soldiers are in need, and with SSAFA if we know someone needs help.  The RBL work with a DWP advisers to help veterans with their benefits, and can support people with debt and work advice. We also support in organising fundraising activities and coordinating volunteers.

What first motivated you to volunteer with the Royal British Legion?

Joining the Legion felt like a natural progression after serving in the Armed Forces. However, it was only after retiring from full-time work that I was able to fully commit to volunteering.

How does the Royal British Legion support veterans, service families and/or the wider community? What do you enjoy most about being a part of this?

The Royal British Legion provides a wide range of support, both nationally and locally. This includes financial assistance, legal advocacy, welfare support, and help with accessing benefits and healthcare services. Locally, we support people with practical issues such as debt advice, employment guidance and connecting them with specialist services.

It is very rewarding when you get a satisfactory result, but can equally be frustrating when we don’t, which can be for a variety of reasons. During the Poppy Appeal fortnight, the best part is talking to people about their family members who have served or were in the various campaigns.  One of my volunteers told me last year that the best part of collecting for her, is the kindness and all the chat from people who are donating.

Are there any particular projects, events or moments that stand out to you

The Poppy Appeal and Remembrance events stand out the most. Last year, we raised over £35,000 locally, which was a fantastic achievement given the financial pressures many people are facing.

What differences do you think volunteering makes to others/what do communities gain when volunteers step forward?

Volunteering is a really good way of getting to know people in the community, and often from wider communities as well.  It really brings people together and ensures that important causes, like supporting veterans, continue to receive the attention and care they deserve.

Why is volunteering important to you? How has volunteering benefitted you?

Volunteering gives me a sense of purpose and allows me to continue helping others after my professional career. It is very rewarding to know that you can make a difference in someone’s life.

At the same time, it helps me stay connected to the community and meet a wide range of people.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about volunteering but not sure how to get involved or if they’ll be able to manage it?

I would say just give it a try—even if it’s only for an hour. There’s no pressure, and every bit of help makes a difference.

We are always looking for more volunteers, especially during the Poppy Appeal, we never have enough collectors on the ground so please feel free to come and see us, you will be made very welcome, I’ll even buy you a cup of tea!

What did being nominated and being runner-up at the Community Awards mean to you?

I was honoured and quite surprised to be named runner-up in the Over 60s Community Awards. I hadn’t expected it at all.

It meant a great deal to know that others had recognised my efforts and taken the time to nominate me. I’m very grateful to everyone who supported me.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Volunteering is incredibly rewarding, but we do need more people to get involved, particularly as many existing volunteers are older.

Even giving a small amount of time can make a big difference, and it’s a great way to meet people and support an important cause. The kindness and generosity of the Harborough community, especially during the Poppy Appeal, makes it all worthwhile.

If you would like to get involved in the Poppy Appeal or other volunteering with the RBL, you can contact Steward via details on their website.

Consultations

Accessing support in the armed forces community survey from Leicestershire County Council

Leicestershire County Council are running the 'Mission Ready' project across 2026, looking at strengthening support for the armed forces community, particularly those new to the area and relocating. They would like to hear views from people involved about how to focus some of this work and what people would benefit from most.

Are you an organisation or group that has members that are current or former members of the armed forces, who are the partner, spouse or family member of someone who is, or a member of the reserves?

Leicestershire County Council would like to hear people's thoughts to shape future work through their survey that groups can circulate to anyone relevant.  The deadline for completion is 30 June 2026.

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.

This month's funding opportunities

Can I apply for funding for our volunteer programme?

How to frame funding applications to support volunteering

This is a question that volunteer-involving groups often ask. Many organisations rely on volunteers, and there is a cost to supporting and managing volunteers properly, and ensuring that they have resources necessary to undertake their roles. It's good practice to pay volunteer expenses for example for travel and possibly for meals and some organisations reimburse childcare and other caring responsibilities (highlighted in the section above about removing barriers to volunteering).

This means describing how volunteers will contribute to specific, measurable outcomes and then demonstrating what resources are required to deliver that impact, including coordination, training, and support costs. By positioning volunteer expenses as essential enablers of meaningful change, rather than standalone costs, you create a stronger, more compelling case that aligns with funders’ priorities and makes it easier for them to see the value of investing.

Some examples of how to pitch volunteering projects - more detail will be required tailored to each funder's questions and priorities, but this should give you an idea about the types of outcomes and impact that funders are looking for:

• We are seeking funding to support a volunteer befriending programme that will reduce loneliness among older residents and help them remain independent for longer. Trained volunteers will provide regular social contact, wellbeing checks and signposting, contributing to improved mental health and a reduction in avoidable GP visits and social care interventions. Funding will enable the recruitment, training and coordination of volunteers who will collectively deliver over X hours of support and reach X residents annually.

• We are seeking funding to support a volunteer-led mentoring programme for young people at risk of disengagement from education. Volunteers will provide consistent one-to-one support, helping build confidence, resilience and aspirations. The programme aims to improve school attendance, reduce exclusion, and support positive transitions into further education or employment. Funding will ensure volunteers are safely recruited, trained and supported to deliver sustained, high-quality mentoring relationships.

• We are seeking funding to expand a volunteer-led environmental action programme that will improve local green spaces and increase community stewardship. Volunteers will deliver regular litter-picking, habitat restoration and community engagement activities, contributing to increased biodiversity and improved public use of outdoor spaces. Funding will support coordination, equipment and training to enable volunteers to deliver X improvement sessions and engage X residents, resulting in cleaner, safer and more sustainable local environments.

If you would like further support around applying for funding, please get in touch and tell us what would be useful.  As well as our regular webinars around our grants, we have also run one about demonstrating outcomes and impact, which we could rerun, and we have delivered a further session for HDC staff about how to search for grants, which we could also adapt for a more general audience - let us know.

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.

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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