Community projects receive £550,000 funding boost

Nine local organisations have benefited from a total of over a half a million pounds in the latest round of funding from the Sizewell C Community Fund.

£550,000 was awarded by the Suffolk Community Foundation in the third round of funding, bringing the total support awarded so far to almost £2m.

The fund – which is worth £23m in total and is administered by The Suffolk Community Foundation during the construction of Sizewell C – is being awarded to projects in the East Suffolk Council area which promote the economic, social or environmental wellbeing of the communities most impacted by the construction of Sizewell C, and which enhance people’s quality of life.

The recipients of this third round include Leiston Youth Club, which has been running for six decades and says the funding was essential to keep the club going.

Lucy Pickett, Senior Youth Worker, Leiston Youth Club, said: “Leiston Youth Club has been a part of our community for over 60 years – and we are thankful for this support to enable it to remain open. We are very pleased that we can continue to offer support and advice, as well as provide a safe place for the young people of Leiston and its surrounding areas to develop skills and friendships.”

The third-round recipients of the Sizewell C Community Fund are:

• 1379 Leiston Squadron Air Cadets, which was awarded £21,088 to buy six kayaks, water safety gear and a trailer to give cadets the chance to try paddle sports.
• ActivLives, which was awarded £141,079 over three years to fund activities designed to boost the wellbeing and mental health of older residents, people with a long-term health condition or disability and people experiencing, or at risk of, social isolation.
• Green Light Trust, which was given £14,755 for a joint project with Wardens Trust to pilot a programme of nature-based therapeutic activities for people from Leiston and the surrounding areas.
• I Made This, which has been given £89,153 over three years to fund term-time after school stop-motion animation sessions for children in the Leiston area with autism and other special educational needs. The project aims to boost their confidence, social skills and wellbeing.
• Leiston & District Swimming Club, which was given £88,030 to introduce a new weekly coached master’s group for adults and enhance their coaching offering to members. The application also includes purchasing equipment for members to borrow as well as a discretionary fund to help reduce financial barriers.
• Leiston Town Council, which was given £67,033 to support the running of the Live Well Hub in Leiston, which offers support to local people with services that include support for loneliness and isolation and budgeting and money advice.
• Leiston Youth Club, was granted £28,009 to support the running of a club that provides a vital destination for young people in Sizewell C’s host town. The Youth Club has run in Leiston for nearly 60 years.
• The Art Station, which was granted £86,264 to fund a two-year programme of community art-based activities in Saxmundham, including photography sessions, gardening and walks held throughout the year.
• Wickham Market Partnership, which was awarded £8,280 to resurface its three tennis courts and an additional £500 to buy equipment to encourage children and young people to take up the sport.

Buddy Lamb, volunteer and committee member at Leiston and District Swimming Club, which received £88,000 to enhance its services to local people, said: “We’re incredibly thankful to have been awarded this funding. It will allow us to grow and enhance the club and improve the programs and opportunities we can provide for people in Leiston and the surrounding communities. We believe this will help more individuals and families get involved in the sport—supporting both their mental and physical wellbeing.

“As a club run entirely by volunteers, we were initially nervous about applying, since we had no prior experience and no dedicated staff to handle the application process. But the support we received from the team at Suffolk Community Foundation was outstanding and made everything so much more manageable.

“We’d really encourage other small charities and community groups thinking about applying for funding to reach out to Suffolk Community Foundation and learn about the support they offer.”

Eligible charities and not-for-profit organisations can bid for grants for up to three-year funding periods. There is no minimum or maximum grant size.The Sizewell C Community Fund is open all year, so organisations can apply whenever is convenient.

Julia Pyke, Sizewell C Joint Managing Director, said: “The Sizewell C Fund has now delivered almost £2m in local funding since it launched last year. Over twenty organisations have benefited already, and it’s fantastic to see the range of groups and activities the fund has been able to support across the local area.

“The latest recipients are yet another inspiring group of organisations who will provide important support and deliver positive impacts here, from running animation sessions for children with special needs and autism to offering activities to support older residents in the area. We’re delighted to support them and excited to follow their progress.”

Suffolk Community Foundation – who administer the fund – provide support, resources, and one-to-one guidance for applicants, including advice on writing applications.

Helen Taylor, a trustee of Suffolk Community Foundation and Chair of the Sizewell C Community Fund, said: “This third round of funding has benefitted fantastic and worthwhile projects which will make a big difference to the quality of life and wellbeing of local people, particularly in the Leiston area.

“We are delighted to be able to support so many diverse and exciting initiatives and look forward to seeing firsthand the positive benefits they will have on communities impacted by the construction project over the coming years.”

For more information about the Sizewell C Community Fund, eligibility criteria and how to apply, visit sizewellcfund.org.uk or call 01473 602 602.