Herefordshire Community Foundation (HCF), in close partnership with Herefordshire Council, is delighted to announce it has awarded £50,000 in micro-grants to support a variety of grassroots, community-led projects across the county.

These grants were made possible via the Small Sparks Fund, administered by HCF and funded by Herefordshire Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The response to the fund was overwhelming, with 98 applications submitted. In total, 56 grants were awarded to projects as diverse as the communities they serve, ranging from enhancing green spaces, to funding youth groups to initiatives addressing social isolation.

Championing Local Causes The following five projects demonstrate the diversity of the grants made and therefore the breadth of local residents who stand to benefit:

• Core Skate, Hereford (£1000) – providing equipment and coaching sessions to make roller skating more accessible for all
• Vowchurch & District Parish Council (£557) – converting a disused telephone box into a community hub with a book exchange and an information board
• Bromyard Community Garden (£850) – transforming a neglected town-centre spot into a thriving “green hub” where residents can learn to grow their own food and connect with nature
• Knit & Natter Collective, Ross-on-Wye (£400) – funding village hall hire and materials to bring all generations of the community together to connect through craft
• Kinnersley & District Parish Council (£1000) – establishing weekly exercise classes at Norton Canon Village Hall aimed at improving the physical and mental health of older residents

A Shared Vision

The Small Sparks Fund was born from a shared vision between HCF and Herefordshire Council to support hyper-local initiatives. HCF’s Chairman, Robert Robinson, explains:

“The Small Sparks Fund aims to foster local connection and help communities up and down the county to thrive. By working alongside Herefordshire Council, we’ve ensured these grants reach the very heart of our communities supporting the small, grassroots ideas that often make the biggest impact. It is our hope that these ‘sparks’ will go on to deliver long-term, positive change, bringing people from all walks of life together through shared interests.”

Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, Cllr Graham Biggs, said:
“We are delighted that so many local organisations have been successfully supported through the Small Sparks grant fund.

“The Council is committed to empowering our communities by providing them with the support they need to continue to thrive. These local organisations represent the lifeblood of our communities, and the work they do in supporting people’s health and wellbeing, improving the environment and tackling issues such as social isolation cannot be understated.

We wish all these groups well and look forward to seeing the positive outcomes of the grant funding in the future.”

One of the grant recipients is Hereford-based Community Interest Company The Core Skate. The group provides a community indoor roller-skating rink and promotes, health, wellbeing and social inclusion.

Matthew Bushkes, from The Core Skate, said: “The Small Sparks grant has enabled The Core to reach further into the community we serve and give opportunities to keep people rolling and try a new activity. These sessions are incredibly beneficial to both body and mind. Thank you so very much.”