Community groups across South Cambridgeshire are set to make a difference to people’s lives after receiving a share of more than £27,295 in Community Chest grants.
The funding is being awarded to 16 local projects – from supporting young people and improving community spaces, to protecting the environment and helping vulnerable residents feel less isolated.
The grants highlight the vital role local organisations and volunteers play in strengthening local communities.
Cllr Dr. Lisa Redrup, Lead Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities for South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “These projects show the very best of our district by people coming together to support each other, improve their villages, and create opportunities for others. From helping young people build confidence to maintaining valued community spaces and protecting our environment, every one of these projects will have a meaningful impact on residents’ everyday lives. We’re proud to support them.”
Funding has been awarded to projects on a range of themes including community buildings, young people and skills, health and wellbeing, supporting vulnerable people, environmental projects, community action, heritage and conservation.
The projects are:
- Cambourne Litter Heroes – £1,131
Volunteer-led group tackling local litter and helping keep Cambourne clean, safe and welcoming for everyone. The funds will buy more equipment such as litter grabbers, litter sack hoops and hi viz vests. - 1st Histon Guides – £1,937.33
Providing camping equipment such as tents, cooking gear and rechargeable lanterns for this newly formed guiding group so more girls can take part in outdoor adventures, building confidence and life skills. - Meldreth Village Hall Trust – £2,000
Essential refurbishment of toilets to improve accessibility, hygiene and comfort for the many community groups using the hall including people living with dementia, families with young children, home education groups, fitness and wellbeing groups, as well as social events and private functions. - St Mary & All Saints Church, Willingham – £2,000
Upgrading toilet facilities at a busy community hall that supports everything from social events to vital services for residents including parish council meetings, social services and probation meetings, NHS-linked activities, community cafés, youth club, WI, exercise and arts groups. - Abington Village Institute – £2,000
Improving heating and creating storage space for a local history archive, protecting heritage and making the venue more comfortable for the many local users including a community café, film nights, a village lunch, clubs, and private family functions. - Barton Playgroup – £2,000
Renovating bathroom facilities to create a safer, more hygienic environment for young children at this community led playgroup that also runs Stay and Play sessions for children and their parents. The organisation is community-led, with opportunities for parents and residents to contribute as volunteers or trustees. - Turtle Dove Cambridge – £2,000
Supporting young women aged 14-24 across Cambridgeshire who are, or are at risk of becoming, NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training). The organisation focuses on building confidence, improving wellbeing, and providing skills, training, and experience to support pathways into education, employment, or training. The grant will be used on pottery and art equipment. - SHEDDIT! – £1,137
Running hands-on workshops for young people to learn about soil, insects and the environment as part of Sheddit!’s annual sustainability event which is open to the public. The grant will be used to purchase bug houses, insect kits and gazebo hire. - Disability Huntingdonshire – £919.96
This group supports people living with disabilities and long-term conditions, as well as older people, to live independently. The grant will purchase energy-efficient printers so people with disabilities can print documents easily to access vital services and benefits - which are often still paper based and require a printer - which many clients do not have access to. - Wise About Food CIC – £2,000
Delivering community cooking sessions to bring people together, reduce isolation and build confidence for people who face significant barriers, including vulnerable adults, older people, and those experiencing social isolation, mental ill health and financial hardship. The grant is to deliver 6 cooking sessions. - Cambridge Rare Disease Network – £2,000
Supporting families of people under 25 affected by rare conditions through inclusive activities that reduce isolation and build connections. The grant will be used for activities like hydrotherapy pool swimming, accessible boat trip, activity day at Grafham Water with SEN instructors and Christmas party venue hire. - The George Long Charity for Swavesey Memorial Hall - £928 The Snooker Room at the hall requires improvements to bring it in line with the building’s wider sustainability standards. The grant will be used to purchase thermal blinds as part of energy improvements at the hall.
- Sawston Youth Group – £1,680
New tents and litter-picking equipment to support outdoor learning and community projects for young people as part of a wide range of weekly activities and events aimed at promoting confidence, teamwork, discipline and social responsibility. - The Connections Bus Project – £1,800.78
Delivering a three-day babysitting course to help up to 15 young people gain skills, confidence and employment opportunities. it will provide structured, practical learning at a time when opportunities for young people are limited. - Marvell Green Management Company – £2,000 - Marvel Green is a collection of 18 homes, seven of which are owned by South Cambridgeshire District Council. The grant will be used to install a range of habitat features at the site, including bird, bat, and insect boxes and provide nesting and shelter opportunities for local wildlife.
- Histon & Impington Green Spaces – £1,761.60 - A citizen science programme to monitor water quality across Beck Brook tributaries, covering Dry Drayton, Girton, Madingley, Oakington, Westwick, Cottenham, Histon and Impington to raise awareness of protecting water quality and to encourage projects that support local nature recovery.
The latest round of funding was approved in a meeting of the Grants Advisory Committee. More information about Community Chest funding and how to apply is available on the Council’s website. The maximum award is £2,000 in any single financial year and can be for 100% of project costs.
View all news