Grant Awards

South Norfolk Council have several funding opportunities. They are ways in which South Norfolk Council is helping local communities but which often go unheralded. These are some funds and awards to our Ward of which I am aware.

Members Ward Funding

Each South Norfolk District Councillor has an annual budget of £1,000 to spend on projects within their ward. This year we have £2,000. This is how I have used my allocation:

Waveney Volunteers for Nature - Wildlife Garden

I allocated £250 from my Members Ward Fund to Waveney Volunteers for Nature to create a wildlife friendly garden in the grounds of the Brockdish Comm at the Waveney Heritage Centre. The garden will be open to anyone wanting a quiet place to sit and will be accessible to wheelchair users. The project will promote communities working together and enhance the quality of life by improving access to nature.

Harleston Players - Community Play

I allocated £300 from my Members Ward Fund to Harleston Players for a new community play based on the Waveney Valley Line. There will be a range of outreach events including a research committee, living history re-enactments, performances and workshops in schools, railway walks and exhibition of photographs. There will be eight performances over two weekends in July 2026 of a specially commissioned community play with up to 30 local performers in a marquee at Harleston Magpie

Harleston Choral Society

I allocated £250 from my Members Ward Fund to help the Harleston Choral Society celebrate its 25th anniversary with a special concert of Carl Orff’s 'Carmina Burana' at Archbishop Sancroft Academy on Saturday 28 June.

Harleston Historical Society - New Equipment

I allocated all £1,000 of my Members Ward Fund to Harleston and District Historical Society to replace broken notice and display boards and but a projector to enable public presentations and exhibitions. This was to assist with monthly public presentations and exhibitions with a highlight being during Heritage Open Days in September. The projector will be available for use by other community groups. The equipment will be used monthly and also as part of a community collective

Wortwell Bowls Club - New Equipment

A grant of £800 was given to Wortwell Bowl Club for new equipment. This was a joint application with £400 from me and £400 from James Eddy, from our Members Ward Fund. The award will enable the club to continue and now expand membership. There are over 30 members and there is an aim to encourage new members from the nearby villages. The club offers an environment for light sporting exercise and socialising, promoting community cohesion with an enhanced quality of life. T

Friends of Harleston Primary School - Wildlife Pond

A grant of £300 was given to the Primary Phase of the school to restore a derelict pond uncovered in their grounds. Volunteers have cleared the area to provide somewhere for pupils to learn about nature as part of the community nature recovery work within Harleston. They now require a bridge to provide a safe environment. The bridge would allow the pupils of the Primary Phase of the school to get closer to, and learn more about with nature in a safe environment and enhance th

Community Action Fund

There will be many community initiatives which will require larger amounts of funding. The Community Action Fund (CAF) is provided to support and fund these initiatives. Local District Councillors are responsible for considering and proposing applications between £1,000 and £15,000 from the CAF fund. These are my successful applications:

Needham Village Hall - Heating System

The South Norfolk Grants and Awards Panel approved £6,430 to the Needham Village Hall. The village hall was in need to repair and updating. This is to be a programme of painting deep clean and general repairs. The grant was to replace and upgrade of the heating and hot water system, as well as guttering and external repairs.

Sancroft Academy - Stage Lighting

The South Norfolk Grants and Awards Panel approved £10,000 to the Harleston Sancroft Academy. This was buy lighting equipment for the stage in the school auditorium, to replace the original 1960’s wiring and lights. Sancroft is the heartbeat of the local community and the schools facilities are used by a wide range of community groups. The stage and auditorium are used by Harleston Players, Harleston Choral Society, Onward Players attracting a total audience of 3,500-4,000

Waveney Volunteers for Nature - Power Scythe

The South Norfolk Grants and Awards Panel approved £7,500 to the Waveney Volunteers for Nature. The volunteers carry out work across...

Exchange 2 - Refurbishment to the Cabin

The South Norfolk Grants and Awards Panel approved £7,500 to refurbish the Cabin used by Exchange 2. The Cabin will provide a modern,...

Go For It

South Norfolk Council award funding of up to £300 for not-for-profit projects that bring communities together and encourage people to take part. Grant money can be spent on anything to get an idea off the ground. This could include equipment purchase or hire, venue hire, promotional materials and transport.

Historical Society - Website

A Go For It Grant of £216 has been approved to Harleston and District Historical Society to improve their website. An improved website...

Create Learn Play - New Group

A Go For It Grant of £300 has been approved to Create Learn Play to run a new pre-school group in Harleston on Friday afternoon. The...

Harleston Information Plus - Welcome Packs

A Go For It Grant of £300 has been approved to cover some of the costs of Welcome Packs produced by Harleston Information Plus (HIP) When...

Harleston Sancroft Academy - Christmas Lunch

A Go For It Grant of £300 has been approved to cover some of the costs of the Christmas Lunch at the Harleston Sancroft Academy. The...

Dream Weavers - Weaving Equipment

A Go For it grant of £298 has been awarded to Dream Weavers to purchase the initial stock of weaving equipment and resources. They are a...

Borderhoppa - Advertising for Volunteers

A Go For It Grant has been approved to Borderhoppa with Diss and District Community Transport Association Limited to help towards...

Details on how to apply can be found at: https://www.southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk/communities/go-grant

Nature Conservation Fund

As part of South Norfolk Council's commitment to support nature recovery, and connect our residents to accessible greenspaces, we're excited to offer the Nature Conservation Fund. This scheme allows Town and Parish Councils, community groups, charities and schools in South Norfolk to receive up to £10,000 for biodiversity projects.

Harleston Greenspace

The South Norfolk Council awarded Grants £10,0500 to Harleston Greenspace CIC. Harleston Greenspace CIC is a new community group established to promote nature recovery and provide public amenity greenspace to encourage engagement with nature and a healthy lifestyle. There will create a nature conservation area on grassland off Rushall Road. This fulfills a desire expressed by the residents in the Neighbourhood Plan, to protect the site as a local green space and a soft ent

Details about this fund can be found at: https://www.southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk/environment/nature-conservation-fund

Pride in Place

The Pride in Place Community Grant, funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, provided funding for town and parish councils and voluntary and charitable organisations to enhance the local community and area you live in. Proposals were to foster a sense of local pride and belonging and build resilient, healthy and safe neighbourhoods that people want to live and work in.

Clean Up and Bloom

Clean Up and Bloom grants of £300 were awarded to Redenhall with Harleston, Needham and Wortwell councils. This was through a Pride in...

Wortwell Community Centre - Feasibility Study

A Pride in Place award of £5,000 was given to Wortwell Parish Council in partnership with The Wortwell Community Centre Charity to carry...

Details on how to apply can be found at: https://www.southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk/communities/pride-place-community-grant-scheme

Details of funding opportunities can be found at: https://www.southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk/communities/community-funding-2