More than a dozen community groups across the Royal Borough have received funding to launch and run community-led initiatives supporting residents’ wellbeing.
A total of 18 community groups received up to £2,500 in the latest and fourth round of applications.
They join 29 other organisations in the area which have already received money from the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead’s Innovation Fund, run in partnership with NHS Frimley.
The groups receiving funding this time around, include Holyport Litterati, I Love Windsor Community Directory, Sui Keung Mak – Tai Chi, Friends of Oaken Grove Park, Holyport FC – Free Kids Football, Intergenerational Music Making, and Ashbrook Road Healthy School Street.
Knowl Hill Village Association also received funds, alongside Natures Haven – Sow, Grow, Eat and Repeat, Maidenhead Senior Asian Ladies Yoga Group, and Friends of Ray Mill Island.
DHW Health Club, Friends of Kidwells Skate Park, Holyport CC – Women’s Cricket, Get Switched On!, Eton Community Association, Maidenhead Forest School and The Thames Valley and Great Western Omnibus Trust, were also recipients of funding.
In line with successful applicants in the previous rounds, the new groups had to showcase how their project would boost access to services, tackle social isolation and loneliness, prevent health risks and reduce mental or physical health inequalities.
The groups’ applications also needed to reflect the local themes and issues raised by residents and groups at the World Cafes, which are held in every ward across the borough.
They also had to showcase how their ideas could be sustainable for at least 12 months.
Councillor Joshua Reynolds, cabinet member for communities and leisure, said: “One of the key aims in our Council Plan is to help people live healthy and independent lives in supportive communities.
“This funding is part of that – empowering our communities because they know what’s needed in their neighbourhoods, what tailored approach will work best to improve the health and wellbeing of the people they serve.
“These 47 community groups and organisations are a driving force for positive change. You only need to look at the breadth and width of their great ideas to see that.”
Caroline Farrar, interim place convenor for the Royal Borough, and NHS Frimley director of primary care development, said: “Congratulations to the 18 successful applications.
“The Innovation Fund is a great example of how we can empower our communities to deliver community led initiatives that can improve access to services, prevent health risks, tackle social isolation and loneliness, and reduce mental or physical health inequalities.
“By placing more resources in the hands of members of our communities we are empowering local people in the search for solutions to better the health and wellbeing for local people.”
For more information about the 47 groups receiving funding and the scheme itself, visit the Innovation Funding section at: https://rbwmtogether.rbwm.gov.uk/innovation-fund