Winchester Communities & Grants

14/10/2026

Thank you to everyone who signed up for our National Lottery Community Funding Surgery next week! All our appointment slots have now been filled!

Didn't manage to secure a slot? Don't worry! Rachael and Jane (pictured above) from the Communities Team will still be available at the Carroll Centre throughout the day. Pop in and talk to us about how we can support your organisation, whether its guidance on our grants, other funding, help in making community connections or other support.

📆21 October
⏰10 am - 3pm
📌Carroll Centre

Carroll Centre Wi******er City Council Action Hampshire

14/10/2026

Funding for Community Gardens to Improve Green Spaces!

The National Garden Scheme has opened applications for its 2027 Community Garden Grants, offering awards of £1,500 to £5,000 for community gardening projects. Supported by the Julia Rausing Trust, the programme aims to increase access to green spaces and the health and social benefits of gardening.

Examples of projects and costs that can be supported include:

📌Plants and containers
📌Materials for flower or vegetable beds and other hard landscaping
📌Greenhouses, polytunnels and sheds
📌Seating
📌Hand tools and certain garden power tools (e.g. strimmers)
📌Materials for providing refreshments

📅Apply by 30 October 2026

👉Find out more: https://ngs.org.uk/who-we-are/community-garden-grants/?fbclid=IwY2xjawUxsLZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMGI4RVc0VlJweGVHVVF4dDJzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe7PAHTAkgDNUQEiP9eEXpjHmJXlOweSXvyjNR4NM29lAJn4IY7_6OKaQUjiI_aem_8SCQlbSPcZiSV7UpaOeL-Q

National Garden Scheme

The National Garden Scheme grants bursaries to help community gardening projects and supports gardeners at the start of their career.

14/10/2026

Schools and Community Groups invited to apply for Music for All Awards! 🎺

Schools and Community Groups Invited to Apply for Music for All Awards (UK)

Music for All has opened Round 4 of its Schools and Community Groups Awards, offering instruments, software and grants to support music-making in disadvantaged and marginalised communities across the UK.

Music for All is a UK charity working to improve access to music making. Awards include up to 12 acoustic guitars, 30 ukuleles, 30 pBuzz instruments, five electro-acoustic or electro-classical guitars, and music software. Groups working with children aged 0–4 can apply for grants of up to £1,500.

Key highlights:

• UK not-for-profit schools, educational establishments and community groups can apply.
• Most categories target deprived or marginalised communities.
• Applicants must demonstrate barriers to music making.
• Retrospective costs are not supported.

Applications are made online. Decisions are expected around three months after the deadline.

The deadline for applications is 30th November 2026.

More information can be found via the link in the comments below 👇

13/10/2026

💡 Looking for funding for your community project?

Our Wi******er District Small Grant Scheme offers grants of up to £700 to local voluntary and not-for-profit groups making a difference in their communities.

What can you apply for?:
• One off cost of unique activities or special events
• Purchase of additional equipment or materials
• Set up costs for new groups
• Marketing material

Whether you're launching a new initiative or need equipment to expand what you do, a Small Grant could help turn your ideas into reality.

Questions? Email us: grants@wi******er.gov.uk
Find out more: https://www.wi******er.gov.uk/grants-for-not-for-profit-organisations/small-grant-scheme

Wi******er City Council ******er Wi******er City Council Action Hampshire Community First Wi******er Get Grants Grants and Funding UK ******erDistrict

12/10/2026

Make your committee more effective!

Join Action Hampshire's online event and discover practical tips to make your management committee more effective, with a particular focus on running productive and engaging committee meetings.

📅Thursday 15 October
⏰ 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM

🔗https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/make-your-committee-more-effective-tickets-1999019406858?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

Action Hampshire

Join us for tips on how to make your management committee more effective, especially regarding your committee meetings.

12/10/2026

We'd like to hear from you! What would you like to hear about at our next Community Buildings Forum? 🔎🏫

Whether it's funding opportunities, marketing your venue, volunteer recruitment, governance, energy efficiency, or something else entirely, we'd like to make sure our forums reflect the needs of community buildings across the district.

👉Email us: Communities@wi******er.gov.uk

******er

10/10/2026

🩷 World Mental Health Day 2026 🩷

This World Mental Health Day, we're celebrating the incredible charities, volunteers and community groups who are not only improving the lives of individuals but are also helping to make our district a healthier, and more thriving place to live. Because when communities thrive, people thrive too.

One of our key strategic funding priorities is to reduce isolation and foster a greater sense of belonging by encouraging community activity and volunteering. That's because we know that when people come together, whether through a sports team, environmental project, community fête, arts activity or volunteer programme, the benefits reach far beyond the activity itself.

Across our district, the charities and community groups we fund are creating opportunities for people to build friendships, gain confidence, develop new skills and feel connected to their local community. In doing so, they are strengthening not only individual wellbeing but the health and resilience of our communities as a whole.

Last year, 40 of our funded projects specifically focused on this strategic priority.

The difference these projects make can be life-changing:

"I feel so much better – getting out of bed is easier and I have a sense of purpose now that I didn’t have before joining the garden club.”

"They are a lifeline for the local community."

"I'm a lot happier now and feel much more confident about the future."

These voices remind us that community projects are about so much more than activities. They create opportunities for connection, belonging, and support. Let's continue to look out for one another and build communities where everyone feels valued, connected, and able to thrive.

Wi******er City Council ******er

09/10/2026

Join us at our next Communities Inclusion and Networking Partnership meeting for a free, in-person networking meeting! 👫

As requested by members in previous sessions, our next session is titled: Community Cohesion: Building Connected Communities

You'll hear about how the Council supports displaced communities and learn from a Ukrainian guest who will share their lived experience of finding a new sense of belonging. We will also explore how place-making can help connect and strengthen new and existing communities, we will also explore other community connections.

There will also be an opportunity to share ideas, exchange experiences, and dedicated time to network with others, giving you the chance to connect with other organisations and build meaningful collaborative opportunities.

📅Tuesday 24 November
⏰10am-1pm
📍River Park Pavilion, River Park recreation ground

👉Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1999771546528?aff=oddtdtcreator

If you would like any further information about this event please contact the communities team at Wi******er City Council: communities@wi******er.gov.uk.

Action Hampshire Wi******er City Council ******er

This session will feature a facilitated discussion focused on reducing isolation, engaging residents in growing communities.

09/10/2026

Charity Fundraising Online session 👇Online session exploring fundraising ideas and ways to tailor those ideas to your charity as well as practical steps for successful fundraising.

Topics include:
• Virtual fundraising ideas
• Passive fundraising ideas and making the most of your website
• Live fundraising events
• Converting skills and knowledge to funds
• Fundraising plans and implementation ideas

📅14/10/2026
⏰09:00 - 12:00
💷Prices vary for Community First Members, Voluntary Sector/Social Enterprises, Businesses

👉Find out more: https://www.cfirst.org.uk/training-events/training/1689/?fbclid=IwY2xjawUqB_5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMGI4RVc0VlJweGVHVVF4dDJzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeH3e0MPLfuvzugdt4t1RjQ7ZKunKT01HJPWw8nPHXBi5oX67MH21yqcAWrt8_aem_eqqGLELEkjK3V4aTnf4kdQ

Community First Wi******er

Community First's Help and Support Directory is an easy to use directory of local community services. It has been created to help people connect with support services and community groups where they live.

08/10/2026

Free Trees Available for Community Planting Projects! 🌳👀

Free Trees Available for Community Planting Projects (England)

The Tree Council has reopened the National Highways Community Trees Programme, offering free trees for planting projects across England. The programme aims to plant hundreds of thousands of trees by 2030, creating greener spaces, supporting nature recovery and delivering benefits for local communities. The Tree Council is a national charity that brings people together to care for trees and the environment.

Applicants can request between 500 and 50,000 tree whips. Eligible organisations include:

- charities and NGOs;
- community groups;
- local authorities;
- schools and other education institutions;
- farmers and landowners;
- private sector organisations, including care homes.

Projects should demonstrate clear community benefit and, where possible, encourage local participation. Planting should also improve biodiversity and contribute to climate resilience. Previous projects have created woodlands, hedgerows and shelterbelts.

Key highlights:

- England only;
- 500 to 50,000 trees per application;
- a wide range of organisations can apply;
- trees are supplied free rather than through a cash grant.

Applications are assessed on a rolling basis and the programme will remain open until all available tree stock has been allocated. Early applications are encouraged.

More information can be found via the link in the comments below 👇