Communities and businesses benefitting from District Council funding through UK Shared Prosperity Fund

In December 2022, the District Council secured £3.29m of central government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund to provide support to local communities and businesses over a three-year period. A further £891k of capital funding through the Rural England Prosperity Fund was confirmed for the district in April 2023 to address local challenges and opportunities for rural areas.

Councillor Paul Peacock, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “It’s brilliant seeing all of the great projects and programmes we’ve been able to support with UK Shared Prosperity Funding and the difference it is making to local communities and to businesses.”

“These programmes have provided opportunities for our local residents to learn new skills, improve local green spaces, grow their business and help with challenges related to the cost-of-living crisis.”

More than 150 residents across the district participated in projects focusing on volunteering and achieving new skills, funded by Newark and Sherwood District Council and led by partners including Newark and Sherwood CVS, Volunteer it Yourself and YMCA Newark and Sherwood. This included the expansion of the Door 2 Door service, the launch of the Adventure Guides programme encouraging local communities to improve green spaces whilst learning new skills, and the creation of an outdoor garden and learning space at Newark Orchard school.

The District Council also worked with local food clubs and the Citizens Advice Bureau as part of the response to the cost-of-living crisis. During a three-month period, over 800 residents have accessed support through UKSPF funded initiatives that aim to combat food and fuel poverty. The District Council and key partners continue to work closely with residents in need to address the challenges they are facing.

A volunteer at Edwinstowe Food Hub, said: “The support we’ve been able to provide thanks to Newark and Sherwood District Council and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund has been incredibly important. With this support we have been able to continue to help the people in Edwinstowe in need due to the cost of living. It’s been a real benefit to the local community in Edwinstowe.”

In addition to community initiatives, local retail businesses were able to benefit from the Business Resilience and Growth Programme with expert advice through a series of 1-2-1 mentoring sessions, training opportunities and access to grant funding.

Throughout the next two years, the District Council and a number of local organisations will deliver a variety of projects that will support the growth of businesses and communities in Newark and Sherwood. For more information regarding current UKSPF and REPF projects, as well as future funding opportunities for local organisations please visit: https://www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/spf/.

Councillor Paul Peacock continued: “I look forward to seeing even more projects that will benefit our local communities in the coming years.”