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First project announced under £1.1 million Grassroots Neighbourhood Fund

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Gloucestershire County Council has announced the first award from its new £1.1 million Grassroots Neighbourhood Fund, with £3,000 granted to support the Youth Manager role at Brockworth Link Youth Club.
Brockworth Link Youth Club receive their £3,000 grant

The Grassroots Neighbourhood Fund empowers each of the county’s 55 councillors to invest up to £20,000 in projects that improve health, wellbeing and community resilience in their local areas. Grants ranging from £250 to £5,000 are available for initiatives that address local needs, tackle inequalities, and help communities to thrive. 

The Brockworth Link Youth Club, based at Brockworth Community Library, provides vital, free sessions for young people living in one of the most deprived areas of the county. Many of the young people who attend are eligible for free school meals, experience financial hardship, or rely on the youth club as a safe and supportive environment. 

The £3,000 funding, which was awarded by Cllr Ben Evans as part of the funding allocated to his division, will contribute towards the salary of the Youth Manager, a role essential to the planning and delivery of high‑quality sessions. Through their leadership, the club offers: 

  • Healthy food, snacks and drinks 
  • Arts and crafts 
  • Themed workshops to build life skills 
  • Digital support for homework 
  • Social opportunities and peer connection 
  • Trusted relationships, emotional wellbeing support, and safeguarding 
  • Signposting to local services and online resources 

These sessions provide young people with stability, belonging, and opportunities they may otherwise struggle to access. 

Cllr Ben Evans, local county councillor for Brockworth, said: “I’m delighted to nominate Brockworth Link Youth Club for this funding. The team works tirelessly to support young people in our community, many of whom rely on the club as a safe place to learn, socialise and grow in confidence. This grant helps secure the leadership needed to keep these vital sessions running. I’m proud that the Grassroots Neighbourhood Fund is already helping local groups deliver real impact where it matters.” 

Applications to the Grassroots Neighbourhood Fund are open now, with community organisations, charities, and voluntary groups encouraged to apply. 

Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Communities and Fire, said: “It’s fantastic to see the very first award from the Grassroots Neighbourhood Fund going to a project that makes such a tangible and positive difference to young people’s lives. Brockworth Link Youth Club provides a safe, welcoming and supportive space for teenagers who need it most. By helping to secure the Youth Manager role, we are enabling continuity, trusted relationships and a wide range of enriching opportunities. This is exactly the kind of grassroots community support the fund was designed to strengthen.” 

For more information about the fund or to submit an application, visit: www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/grassroots-neighbourhood-fund