South Holland projects to get a share of £300k from UK Shared and Rural England Prosperity Funds

A series of projects in South Holland have been given grant funding to help them continue their work.

The schemes are designed to boost the district’s economy, increase living standards and help people get into work across the south east of the county.

They are backed by the UK Shared and Rural England Prosperity Funds (UKSPF/REPF) — with almost £300,000 awarded from South Holland District Council.

The UKSPF is running for one last year in 2025/26. A total of £299,582 has been distributed between:

Active Lincolnshire - Active Communities (£15,500): A programme aimed at supporting residents, particularly in rural areas, to access sport and physical activity, and get entry level qualifications in the sector.

Sutton Bridge Parish Council and Active Lincolnshire – Sutton Bridge Playzone (£68,000): A reinstatement of grant aid given under the 2023-2025 UKSPF programme, funding for the construction of a new, multi-activity sports and games pitch in Sutton Bridge (A ‘PlayZone’). The UKSPF Investment will match a Football Foundation and parish council contribution of £272,000 to leverage a total investment of £350,000 in the facility, which will be delivered by the Football Foundation this year.

Lincolnshire Community and Voluntary Service – Community Transport Co-Ordination (£15,000): Ongoing support for running community transport schemes — and boosting driver numbers — to offer a transport lifeline.

SELCP – Pride in Place Volunteering Initiative (£9,988): Ongoing support for the Pride in Place volunteering initiative which supports residents to undertake local environmental and social initiatives. The 2023-5 Programme delivered 193 volunteering opportunities across the Partnership.

Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce – UK Fresh Produce Network Events and Support (£20,763): Supporting local fresh produce and agri-food businesses to access the All Party Parliamentary Group on Fresh Produce. Additionally, a series of events to both promote the sector and encourage inward investment in South Holland.

Boston College – Restart, Reskill, Upskill (£29,580): Aimed at supporting those who are economically inactive to receive both a qualification and a guaranteed interview with a local employer. This year there will be a focus on supporting residents to start long-term apprenticeships in the food manufacturing and processing sector.

Steadfast Training – Connect2Grow (£50,000): Support for economically inactive residents to get a job in the local economy, via the provision of an accredited qualification and a guaranteed interview with a local employer.

South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone (SLFEZ) ((£60,751): Continued funding to encourage people to move to the Holbeach facility and grow their business there.

University of Lincoln – NCFM Higher Level Engineering Skills (£30,000): Targeted at young people who are not in education, employment or training, economically inactive residents and those employed in the food sector. Offering a series of short courses in robotics, digital, engineering and AI in the food sector with links to local employers and skills providers. This project aims to spark in careers in this sector and supporting upskilling.

Councillor Paul Redgate, portfolio holder for finance, said: “It's incredibly rewarding to see so many of the projects we believed in thriving and making a meaningful difference for people and businesses across South Holland.

“These successes highlight what can be accomplished when we combine strong support with a shared commitment to positive change. Working together truly does lead to powerful results.

“Many of these initiatives continue to open up valuable opportunities for local residents and I would encourage those who are interested in what these projects can offer them to get involved where possible.”

Find out more about UKSPF, REPF and other funding opportunities at www.sholland.gov.uk/lggf