Latest South Holland community groups and projects to receive share of £1.1 million UK Shared Prosperity funding revealed

Community groups an projects will receive their share of £1.1 million from the latest round of UK Shared Prosperity and Rural Prosperity funding.

Twelve projects from across the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership patch will benefit from a pot of almost £780,000 while a further commitment of more than £340,000 will be distributed among 20 parishes and towns through the Lincolnshire Community Foundation’s UKSPF funded GRASSroots programme.

Among the recipients are:

South Holland District Council – Open Markets South Holland (£52,500): The project will aim to provide branded gazebos that ensure an attractive retail environment that would enable traders to grow their income and to attract new start businesses.

Chain Bridge Forge – Growing Blacksmithing (£42,000): This project aims to give better access to the Blacksmithing Craft at Chain Bridge Forge in Spalding. This will be achieved by promoting Blacksmithing at the Forge and through the creation of innovative digital simulations of blacksmithing that will be used to support local young people to engage with the craft in schools and colleges. There will also be a series of open days and events.

University of Lincoln - Expanding the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone (FEZ) (£85,000): There are two elements to this project, the first focuses on the provision of a place-based marketing programme which will build a coordinated approach between partners to stimulate investment and growth to the SLFEZ. The second aims to address low skills and bring higher level skills to the sector and will look to engage 15 businesses in research/innovation projects with the University, ensure 60 people befit from engagement in courses to upskill, ensure 60 people gain qualifications (50 on courses plus 10 new apprenticeships, 100 young people will engage with the SLFEZ through projects with local schools and 75 members of the community will be engaged with the SLFEZ through events and public lectures and a community food scheme.

Spalding Civic Society – Spalding MARK IT Trail (£43,000): This project aims to increase awareness and appreciation of the town's heritage and celebrate Spalding’s market in its livestock heyday along with South Holland’s present-day importance to the nation’s food supply. The trail will consist of high quality artworks situated in town centre spots - in the same streets as those in which animals were traditionally sold, drawing visitors into the town but also, encouraging visitors and residents to explore areas of the town that they may not usually be drawn to.

Long Sutton Youth Shed – Youth Shed Project II (£40,000): This is an expansion of the massively successful UKSPF-funded UKSPF Youth Shed project. This project expands the reach of the youth shed by recruiting additional members of the team to lead sessions. The Shed is currently open for two four hour long sessions each week but through this project, intends to expand to operate five days a week.

SHDC Communities Department – Spring Into Spalding (£6,000): A one-day event to take place in Spalding town centre with a focus on driving footfall to businesses. The event, as well as the activities and entertainment taking place, will be free for all to attend. This project is an expansion of the same event that was held in 2022 and was hugely successful

Additionally, parish councils, village halls and community spaces will also enjoy a substantial share of UKSPF funding in this round, with nearly £340,000 to be distributed to 20 projects across the area as the Lincolnshire Community Foundation distributes more awards from its UKSPF funded programme (GRASSroots).

The local funding will be shared between: Gosberton Youth Centre (£24,000), Lutton Parish Council (£24,999), Weston Parish Council (£24,486), Quadring Parish Council (£12,646), Tydd St Mary Parish Council (£24,999), Gosberton Bowls and Snooker Club (£7,690), Scarlet Community Music Club (£16,620).

In Boston Borough, Wyberton Parish Council will receive £24,999.

Also receiving funding will be groups covering the sub-region, including:

Lincolnshire Community Foundation – Youth Engagement Project: The project is to provide grant funding to organisations that can deliver preventative measures to help young people at risk of committing a criminal offence or becoming involved in anti-social behaviour and in so doing reduce the re-offending rate.

SELCP – Pride in Place Community Volunteer Scheme: This project will support the creation of a trusted volunteer network in the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership area, increasing the number of volunteers who are supported to do good’ in their local community.

South Holland District Council’s Coun Paul Redgate, portfolio holder for Finance, Commercialisation, Levelling Up and UK Shared Prosperity Funding, said: “Once again several fantastic projects, initiatives and events across South Holland have been awarded funding which will have a significant and positive impact on what they are doing – and in turn for the wider community too.

“There have already been many success stories as a result of the UKSPF funding, from Holbeach Medieval Festival to the rapidly developing plans for Matthew Flinders’ reburial next year.

“I look forward to seeing the part this latest round of funding will play in supporting communities while boosting the local economy.”

An announcement on the opening of the next strange of UKSPF/REPF funding – the People & Skills strand – is due to be made shortly.