Community and voluntary groups across the borough are set to benefit from more than £130,000 in funding, following the launch of this year's council grant scheme designed to provide more targeted activities, services and support for residents.

 

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has opened its Strengthening Communities grant scheme for 2026, providing funding of up to £15,000, for this year, to successful applicants.

 

The funding is designed to strengthen the way community and voluntary organisations operate, supporting organisational development such as improving financial sustainability, developing new income streams, redesigning services, enhancing governance or building staff and volunteer skills. It can also fund service expansion or new initiatives to address unmet local needs.

 

The focus is on enabling organisations to become more resilient, adaptable and secure for the long term, so they can continue delivering vital work across the borough.

 

This year the council is keen to support groups that will improve residents’ physical health and mental wellbeing, support residents with cost of living challenges, address gaps in current youth projects or improve or widen access to services and activities.

 

Since 2023, the Strengthening Communities Grant Scheme has supported 43 organisations with over £446,000 in funding. Last year’s awards helped a range of organisations across the borough, including young adults with learning disabilities and autism who were given the opportunity to break down barriers to employment and unlock their potential thanks to a £15,000 grant. The money awarded to the Café Project funded a 50-week training plan that focused on life skills, kitchen skills, customer service and technology skills at Café Dome in Brighton Hill.

 

Sherfield Park Community Association received £10,000 to develop and provide a programme of wellbeing activities for local residents and the Telugu Association of Basingstoke were also awarded £10,000 to develop and provide a cyber safety programme for elderly Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic residents. 

 

And there is a new customer relationship management system at Basingstoke Counselling Service thanks to a £15,000 grant from the scheme. The system will help to increase the service’s efficiency and reduce costs. 

 

Cabinet Member for Communities, Partnerships and Inclusion Cllr John McKay said: “Our grant funding helps to support the delivery of important services and activities tailored to meet the needs of our communities.

 

“We’ve seen so many examples where this has helped to deliver projects that make such a difference, supporting our community groups and organisations to continue their excellent work.”

 

The closing date for applications is noon on Thursday 30 April 2026. The full criteria, details about information sessions and guidance on applying can be found at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/funding.