14/03/23: Breckland Council releases over £40k from its 'Inspiring Communities' Grant Fund

A number of community groups across Breckland are to benefit from a share of more than £40,000 after the district council announced the recipients of its latest round of grant funding. 

At the meeting of Breckland Council's Cabinet this week (13 March), councillors heard that a further £41,000 in 'Inspiring Communities' grants would be released to support ten initiatives across Breckland. This brings the total of the grants released over the lifetime of the scheme to £304,000.

The projects include the refurbishment of local sports facilities, community lunches to tackle loneliness and isolation in Dereham, and making music lessons accessible to young people from low-income families in Thetford.

Inspiring Communities is one of the four strategic priorities set out in Breckland Council's Corporate Plan, supporting residents to live safe and healthy lives by enabling them to play active roles in their communities and tackling issues such as abuse and health inequalities.

Cllr Alison Webb, Breckland Council's Executive Member for Health & Communities, commented: "I'm delighted to announce this latest grant funding which will support ten exciting initiatives across Breckland. I look forward to seeing each scheme progress and the positive impacts they will have among local communities over the coming months and years.

"This latest funding brings the total amount of Inspiring Communities grants released this financial year to £120,000, which represents a huge investment in our communities."

The groups receiving funding are:

• Charlotte Harvey Trust - £4,900 to improve the toilets and create additional storage space at Watton Community Centre
• Dereham Cancer Care - £4,652 to part-fund a staffing post
• Dereham Cricket Club - £3,850 to refurbish the shower area
• Lophams Village Hall and Playing Field Management Committee - £5,000 to install solar panels on the village hall roof
• Love Dereham Ltd - £2,105 towards a free monthly lunch in Dereham for people who are lonely, isolated or unable to afford a meal
• Narborough Local History Society - £2,887 towards the purchase of a portable building to be placed next to the museum and used for research and study
• Swaffham Swimming Pool - £5,000 to support the refurbishment of a public open-air swimming pool
• Thetford Music Project - £3,600 to help fund tuition fees for up to 20 young people
• Thetford Vineyard Church - £4,500 to contribute to rental costs
• Weeting Bowls Club - £5,000 to refurbish the kitchen