East Hampshire Doles Out £300,000 to Kickstart Post-Pandemic Recovery
East Hampshire District Council is pumping over £300,000 into local community groups as the area fights back from the coronavirus crisis. The cash comes from a £1 million fund set up in 2019 to support charities and organisations with grants up to £30,000.
This year, the fund focused heavily on projects aiding COVID-19 recovery, with 22 groups snapping up grants for vital local work — from building renovations to family support.
Community Projects Get a Vital Financial Boost
The Supporting Communities Fund targets three key areas:
- Positive mental health, especially for young people
- Cutting social isolation, particularly for older residents
- Helping residents bounce back from the pandemic
Cllr Julie Butler said: “We specifically include projects helping with the ongoing work to mitigate the impacts of coronavirus. Community organisations are doing some incredibly valuable work across the district and I am delighted we are able to support them in this way.”
The next funding round opens in April 2021. Details are on the EHDC website.
Top Grants: Who’s Getting What?
- Bushy Leaze – £30,000: Staff the Family Support Team aiding families with under-fives in crisis. Dan Read, Trustee: “This much-needed funding helps us keep providing vital family services.”
- Grayshott Concerts – £8,000: Stage free classical music concerts, including tributes to ‘Local Covid Heroes’. Peter Harrison, Secretary: “We can now bring joyous live music to vulnerable audiences starved of social contact.”
- Liss Men’s Shed – £5,000: Renovate building to create a community workshop and social hub. Neil White, Committee Member: “This grant lets us support members needing companionship post-COVID.”
Major Projects Across East Hampshire
- Alton: £30,000 to Bushy Leaze Family Support. £25,000 to St Peter’s Church Ropley for accessibility rebuild. £15,000 for youth centre upgrades at The King’s Arms. £8,000 for Holybourne Village Hall toilet refurbishments.
- Whitehill & Bordon: £20,000 to Phoenix Theatre & Arts Centre for community engagement. £8,000 to Grayshott Concerts for music events.
- Petersfield & Surrounding Villages: £5,445 to Dementia Friendly Petersfield supporting monthly groups. £10,000 to The Sustainability Centre for nature therapy programmes. £20,000 to Froxfield Village Hall for urgent repairs and improved accessibility. £15,000 for youth centre improvements at Kings Arms.
- Liss: £20,000 to Liss Crossover for youth diversion and mental health support. £5,000 to Liss Men’s Shed renovations. £10,000 to Liss Community Association to aid coronavirus recovery.
- Southern Parishes: £25,000 to Horndean Technology College to upgrade football pitches. £18,720 to Horndean Community Association for older residents activities. £10,000 to Clanfield Football Club for ground improvements.
- District Wide: £7,163 to Citizens Advice East Hampshire for safety equipment to enable face-to-face advice sessions.
This cash injection is set to supercharge East Hampshire’s social and cultural recovery, making it stronger and more connected than ever before.
