At a time when local funding is being slashed and more groups are feeling the pinch, more than £350,000 in grants has been pumped into community projects across Hampshire.
The funds have awarded to community groups, councils, schools and charities in the latest round of the Supporting Communities Fund.
Six grants were awarded in the Whitehill & Bordon area, with decisions made by Cllr Andy Tree, East Hampshire District Council’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for the Whitehill & Bordon Area.
Cllr Tree said: “I am delighted to be able to support these six sensational schemes with grant funding from our Supporting Communities Fund pot. Voluntary groups, charities and community groups are a vital part of what makes this area such a special place to live and work and that's why it’s so important we support them with grant funding when we can.
"I am very pleased to be making a positive difference in Whitehill & Bordon.”
Autism Hampshire was awarded an impressive £28,635 for its Serendipity Community Groups, which provide crucial support and wellbeing workshops for autistic adults in Bordon. This grant will help improve services and promote community integration for individuals with autism.
Friends of Greatham School received £14,378 to build an all-weather sports pitch at Greatham Primary School, creating a year-round facility for physical activities.
A further £30,000 was granted to Whitehill & Bordon Community Trust, which works to deliver inspiring activities, venues, and events for young people in the town.
Cllr Adeel Shah, EHDC’s Portfolio Holder for Community Development, said: “Through delivering these grants we want to build the ability of our communities to provide support and opportunities for themselves. By funding new projects and supporting existing services we can improve our residents’ health and wellbeing and by doing so save public money several times over down the line.”