Newark Community Projects Benefit from £300,000 Pride in Place Funding
Annual grant scheme supports local initiatives aimed at strengthening community spaces and fostering social participation in Newark.
By Aisha Mahmood
••3 min read
Newark and Sherwood District Council
Community projects across Newark are already experiencing the positive impact of nearly £300,000 invested through the first round of the annual Community Grant Scheme, launched by the Newark Town Board.
The funding, part of the UK Government’s Pride in Place Programme (PiPP), aims to strengthen community spaces, create opportunities for social participation, and bring residents together. Newark was selected as one of the first 75 places to benefit from the national programme, which is set to invest up to £19.5 million in the town over the next decade. The PiPP focuses on addressing local challenges by improving living standards, reducing social exclusion, creating opportunities for young people, enhancing health and wellbeing, building stronger communities, and tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.
Guided by Newark’s Pride in Place Regeneration Plan, developed through extensive community engagement, the PiPP directs investment into projects that align with local priorities. The Community Grant Scheme, administered by Newark and Sherwood District Council in partnership with the Newark Town Board, supports initiatives that enhance community facilities, increase social, cultural, and recreational activities, encourage volunteering, and combat social isolation.
Earlier this year, £292,000 was distributed to various organisations, including local charities and community groups. The next application window for funding from April 2027 is expected to open in the coming months. Among the recipients were the Newark Services Club, a hub for veterans and key workers, and Suggy’s Champions Foundation, which supports young people through boxing and used its funding to improve facilities and expand community outreach.
Volunteer It Yourself (VIY) also received funding to renovate community venues, including the Flower Pod in Hawtonville and the Lovers Lane Scout Hut. This project provided young people aged 16 and over, who are not in education, employment, or training, with hands-on experience and nationally recognised qualifications in areas such as paint finishing and site carpentry, with eleven community volunteers also contributing.
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"We are delighted to have introduced the annual PiPP Community Grant Scheme to support communities and residents within Newark to access opportunity and strengthen the work of local volunteers. It is positive to see the impact of the first round of funding alone, and the scheme will open on an annual basis, providing the chance for a range of projects to be supported over the next few years!"
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"The PiPP Community Grant Scheme is a fantastic example of how the Pride in Place Programme is already making a difference to people's lives. The feedback that the Council and Newark Town Board has received from organisations and young people involved in these projects demonstrates the value of investing in our communities. Whether it's helping young people gain new skills and qualifications, improving facilities that support residents' wellbeing, or strengthening the work of local charities and community groups, these projects are creating benefits that will be felt for years to come."
The PiPP will continue to support projects contributing to a stronger, healthier, and more inclusive Newark. The Newark Town Board oversees the programme’s delivery, leading investment decisions and collaborating with the local community and Newark and Sherwood District Council. Further details on the next round of the Community Grant Scheme will be announced later this year on the Newark Town Board website.
