We’re proud to see the positive difference our Community Grant Fund is making to organisations and communities across the South West.
Through a series of £500 grants, we’ve been supporting local groups to tackle food insecurity, provide warm and welcoming spaces, and bring people together – particularly during the winter months and festive period.
Local projects have used the funding in different ways to meet the needs of their communities. In Penzance, the grant helped provide extra food for families over Christmas. This meant 10 families were able to access fresh food, including meat and vegetables for Christmas meals, helping to ease financial pressure at a difficult time.
Feedback from the project shows the impact this can have. Families reported feeling less worried about feeding their children during the holidays, with one stating how the support meant their children had access to food and essentials when money was tight.
In Plymouth, Headway used their funding to provide a warm and welcoming space for people and their families. The grant helped cover the cost of food and energy, allowing them to offer free meals, hot drinks and snacks, as well as activities to build skills and confidence.
They were also able to support more than 100 people during the winter months, helping individuals on low incomes access nutritious food and a safe place to connect with others.
Elsewhere, funding supported Holsworthy Food Hub by contributing towards rent costs. This ensured the project could continue to run from a suitable space, giving families access to affordable food, a café, and advice from partner organisations.
The funding has also supported community-led events that bring people together. At Whole Again Communities CIC, the grant helped fund a community Christmas lunch, where more than 50 people came together to share a meal.
For many attendees, this meant they could enjoy a traditional Christmas experience and feel part of their local community, reducing isolation and supporting wellbeing.
Similarly, community spaces like The Centre in Newlyn have used funding to provide free lunches and create welcoming environments where people can access advice, socialise and feel connected.
Across all of these projects, a common theme is the impact on community wellbeing. Whether it’s helping families put food on the table, offering a warm place during the winter, or creating opportunities for people to come together, the grants are helping build stronger, more resilient communities.
We’re grateful to all the organisations who have shared their stories and shown how this funding is making a real difference. Their work highlights the importance of local support networks and the role we can all play in helping communities thrive.
