Hundreds of community groups and organisations across Staffordshire are benefiting from Staffordshire County Council’s Community Fund, helping deliver projects that improve wellbeing, bring people together and enhance local places.
The latest Community Fund report highlights how £144,211 allocated through county councillors has supported 234 community projects across the county. The investment helped unlock projects with a combined value of more than £802,000, meaning every £1 awarded generated £5.57 in additional project value.
Examples of successful projects include Burntwood Town Council’s popular Play in the Parks programme, which provided free holiday activities, games and refreshments for families during the school holidays.
Walk Talk Action also received support to deliver workshops, wellbeing walks and peer support sessions for people experiencing poor mental health, isolation and low wellbeing, helping more than 60 residents each week reconnect with their communities.
At Silverdale Primary Academy, funding transformed an unused outdoor space into the Innovation Patch, an engaging learning environment featuring a sensory garden, nature kitchen and water play area that is now used daily by pupils.
Meanwhile, the Tolkien in Great Haywood project received funding towards creating a new heritage trail, information boards and promotional materials to celebrate the village’s connection with J.R.R. Tolkien and encourage community pride in local culture and history.
And there was also funding for the "Help A Squaddie" scheme, which has enabled veterans to access regular exercise, inclusive physical activity and group sessions that promote resilience, confidence and social connection, delivering both physical and therapeutic benefits.
Hayley Coles, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture at Staffordshire County Council, said:
“Across Staffordshire, volunteers, community groups and local organisations are having a hugely positive impact on the lives of Staffordshire residents and I’m delighted to see our fund contributing to this.
“I’m particularly pleased to see such a range of projects supported including those that improve people’s wellbeing, tackle isolation, create new opportunities for young people and enhance the places where people live. Local councillors know their areas very well and are well placed to direct the funding to support or kick-start projects that can make a difference in local communities.
“I’d like to say a huge thanks to those groups for their hard work and would encourage others to speak to their local county councillor and make an application.”
The 2026 Community Fund is available until November and each county councillor has an allocation of £2,500. Groups should contact their local councillor before making an application which can be done on the community fund webpage.
