Preserving local heritage, supporting young people, promoting sport and boosting wildlife habitats are among projects set to benefit from the latest round of grants from South Cambridgeshire District Council.
The latest Community Chest funding recipients include youth organisations, volunteer-led community groups, a historic village church, a community squash club and a parish council project focused on restoring an important wildlife habitat.
Five projects are set to receive £8,300 from the Community Chest scheme. They are:
• Waterbeach and Landbeach Action for Youth (WAY) - £1,604 to fund a babysitting and first aid course for young people aged 14 to 16, helping participants gain childcare, and safeguarding skills while boosting confidence, communication, problem-solving skills and employability.
• St Andrew’s Church, Wimpole - £2,000 towards urgent repairs to protect the Grade II listed building for future generations. The work will address water ingress, fix deteriorating masonry and repair two monuments - reattaching a detached stone lion and conserving a 19th-century brass memorial plaque.
• 1st Melbourn All Saints Brownies - £696 for activity resources, storage equipment, badge materials and high-visibility vests to enable safe participation in outdoor and community activities. The items will help the long-established group continue supporting local girls to grow in confidence, skills and personal development.
• Swavesey Squash Club - £2,000 towards battery storage technology that will complement a wider solar energy project to reduce energy costs and increase the club's use of renewable electricity. The club has over 200 members and provides an affordable, inclusive sporting facility for people of all ages and abilities.
• Caxton Parish Council - £2,000 from the ring-fenced Community Chest biodiversity funding scheme to restore an overgrown village pond, improving habitat conditions for Great Crested Newts and other wildlife, while helping to preserve an important community asset at the junction of Gransden Road and St Peters Street in Caxton.
Councillor Dr. Lisa Redrup, Lead Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities, said: "These grants demonstrate the incredible diversity of community activity taking place across South Cambridgeshire. From supporting young people to develop new skills, to protecting historic buildings, improving community facilities and enhancing local biodiversity, these projects will bring real benefits to residents. Our Community Chest schemes are designed to help local organisations turn great ideas into reality, creating stronger, healthier and more sustainable communities. I'm delighted that we are able to support these worthwhile initiatives."
The District Council's Community Chest Grant grants provide funding for projects that bring people together, improve community facilities and support residents across the district. The Biodiversity Grants scheme helps local groups and parish councils deliver projects that protect and enhance nature and wildlife.
Community groups, charities, clubs and parish councils are encouraged to explore the range of grant funding opportunities available through the Council to support projects that benefit local people and places.
· For more information about grants available visit the Council's website.
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