52 community projects to share £1.5m levelling up together grant

The council launched the grant scheme in response to the government's Levelling Up agenda, which aims to support local areas in need of investment to create opportunities and improve economic growth.

Levelling Up Together grants will support the areas in Gloucestershire that are in the bottom 10% most deprived nationally, helping communities to deliver the initiatives they have said will be most effective for them and their area.

The fund received an overwhelming response, with nearly 130 applications submitted from community groups and organisations across the county. The projects selected cover a diverse range of areas, including health and wellbeing, education and skills, arts and culture, and the environment.

The successful projects include a mental health support service for boys and young men, a project helping children to read, young people’s groups working with diverse communities, helping people to access food, and refurbishments of community spaces including projects to refresh the look of neighbourhoods. The funding will enable these projects to make a real difference to the lives of local people, helping to level up communities across Gloucestershire.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said: "We are thrilled to be able to support so many fantastic community projects across Gloucestershire through our Levelling Up Together fund. The quality of the applications was incredibly high, and we are confident that the projects we have selected will make a real impact in their communities. We look forward to working with the successful groups and seeing the positive changes they will bring to the people of Gloucestershire." 

One charity which has received grant funding is Forest Voluntary Action Forum (FVAF). Their project Vibrant Cinderford Spaces received £82,500 which will go towards creating a multi-use community hub through the renovation of a Cinderford town-centre building. The hub will host a community pantry and café alongside a wide array of support services and community groups.

Penny Hulbert, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Forest Voluntary Action Forum said: “Receiving this funding will enable us to create a much-needed welcoming, vibrant community space which will have a transformative impact for people living in Cinderford and the wider district.

“We have ambitious plans and will be working closely with local people to create an inspiring and supportive space, offering something positive for every member of the community to experience and feel pride in the place they live.”

You can view the full list of bid winners on the county council website here.