Communities urged to apply for SK Community Fund grants

SKDC News Release – 6 August 2024

Community groups are being urged to apply for project funding before the next council funding deadline of 20 August.

More than £7,000 was awarded to four projects across the district in the last allocation round of South Kesteven District Council’s Community Fund.

Boothby Neighbours were awarded £800 to set up a Good Neighbours Scheme, operated by volunteers, to help less able residents have access to assistance to help them complete tasks. The Boothby Pagnell group also hopes to prevent isolation through transport to village events and new social gatherings such as a breakfast club.

The D Day Darlings wartime tribute choir will be singing at the Caythorpe Gala in September thanks to a council award of £1,740. Gala organisers have booked the choir to celebrate the Arnhem 80th Anniversary event at the village’s annual 216 Parachute (Signals) Squadron reunion, commemorating Caythorpe’s rich history with the Parachute Regiment.

Grantham’s Christchurch Methodist church is to have a fully functional sound system in its Shepherd Hall thanks to an award of £3,699 towards the total cost. The sound system, with speakers, amplifiers, sound induction loop driver and mike system will enhance the versatility of the hall, making it suitable for a wide range of activities benefitting the local community.

Bourne’s SCIFEST will be staging two community events at Bourne Corn Exchange in September and October thanks to a council award of £1,135 towards the total cost. The aim of the science-based events is to engage with families with school-aged children, to increase the profile of science and give an understanding of how science touches all lives.

Cllr Rhea Rayside, SKDC Cabinet member for People and Communities said: “Once again a wide range of extremely worthwhile causes are benefitting from our SK Community Fund awards, all set to make a beneficial difference to people’s lives”.

Community groups can apply for up to 80% of eligible costs to a maximum of £5,000, with the remaining 20% as a required applicant contribution.

The small grants scheme can fund 100% of project and event costs up to £2,000, with no match funding required. This scheme is only open to groups that hold £10,000 or less of financial resource.

Community Fund enquiries and application forms from: communityfund@southkesteven.gov.uk