The second round of Newark and Sherwood District Council’s 2024-25 Community Grant Scheme has seen an additional 15 local groups benefit from funding, supporting a wide range of groups across the district.

These have included local sports clubs such as Newark Town Football Club (pictured), which will use the money to develop five new, small-sided football pitches at the Hawtonville Young People’s Centre.

The new pitches will provide much-needed additional playing pitch capacity to meet the growing demand for junior football, particularly for young girls keen to play the game.

In addition, Muskham Cougars FC will use the money it received to buy LED floodlights, allowing their squads to continue training through the winter months.

The grant scheme has also supported projects that provide opportunities for residents to enjoy the outdoors and protect the natural environment.

For example, Grow Incredibles CIC is investing its funding to open a space-growing facility in Balderton, equipped with raised beds, micro allotment plots, and a sensory and wildlife garden for local people to enjoy.

Groups such as Newark Sea Cadets have also been supported. Through the funding it has received, the group can increase the number of Cadet Young People gaining nationally-recognised BTECs in leadership through two education projects.

The Minster School Parent Teacher Association in Southwell aims to tackle the increasing number of pupils not attending school by buying a climbing wall and offering activities to their pupils every week.
Climbing walls have been proven to boost concentration and problem-solving abilities and improve physical and mental wellbeing.

Newark Boxing Club will offer boxing intervention sessions to young people at risk of exclusion and/or anti-social behaviour, offering them purpose and teaching them the value of hard work and dedication.

Collingham Rural Advice Centre is also using the funding to provide a Citizens Advice advisor for two days a week with drop-in sessions, booked appointments, telephone and online support, and home visits for those housebound.

Newark CVS can now buy a variety of equipment and materials to enhance the range of activities and social offerings across the five Best Years Hubs, which support people aged over 65.

The grant scheme also provides help to local groups needing to make vital updates to their community facilities.

This includes Winthorpe Community Centre, which will use the funding to replace some of the windows in the centre, and Southwell Women’s Institute, which hopes to provide safe access to its external walkway.

Rainworth and Blidworth Amateur Boxing Club has bought gym flooring for its new mezzanine floor, doubling the club’s capacity.

Funding has also been awarded to The Sherwood Forest Trust for its Woodland Festival, the East Midlands’ most popular celebration of nature and the environment, attracting up to 4,500 visitors to the area.

In total, 31 groups will have benefited from funding from the 2024/2025 Community Grant Scheme — 16 from the first round and 15 from the second round.

The next round of the Community Grant Scheme will open for applications on Monday, 7th April. More information is at www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/communityfunding

Coun Paul Taylor, portfolio holder for Public Protection and Community Relations at the council, said: “The applications we received for the second round of funding once again showcased some of the truly transformative projects happening across the district that will make such a huge and important difference in the lives of our residents.

“I am delighted we are able to continue helping these groups and charities to continue to reach more residents.

“I am always astonished by the passion and dedication the people who run these community groups demonstrate day in and day out and it makes me incredibly proud that we are lucky to have such a strong sense of community in our district.

“I went along to present the cheque to Newark Town Football Club and was thrilled to talk to the group about their plans for the football pitches and hearing about the impact this will have on the young people of Hawtonville. I am delighted to be able to assist in delivering this much needed facility in Devon Ward. It will provide such a brilliant opportunity for the local community particularly our young people.

“I am very much enjoying visiting all of the brilliant groups who have received funding through the Community Grant Scheme and discussing all of their exciting plans.”

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