A year of supporting and celebrating the local community

This team have developed a network of groups and organisations to help provide regular and ongoing support to residents to combat loneliness, help develop skills, invigorate pride in their local area and create a sense of belonging. The District Council also supports local communities by running regular grant funding schemes as well as organising a range of events – big and small – to provide exciting opportunities to residents and champion our broad range of communities.

This year the District Council worked with Radio Newark to deliver the Newark and Sherwood Community and Sports Awards 2024 celebrating the incredible individuals who have gone above and beyond to support the community and champion the growth of sports. 14 worthy winners were awarded for their exceptional contributions in various categories. More information about the Newark and Sherwood Community and Sports Awards 2024 and the winners can be found on the District Council website: https://www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/communityandsportsawards24/

The Community Development team also organise some special events such as afternoon teas for veterans or for our older residents so they can socialise in comfortable environments, cooking sessions for teens and families and fun educational workshops such as how to make your own worm farm! The Community Development team have supported over 40 Community Litter Picks which has seen over 800 participants and over 1000 bags of litter collected, supporting residents to foster a pride of place by tidying up their area whilst doing so in a fun and social way. Every year they also organise a thank you event for all the district’s volunteers as part of Volunteer Thank You week to recognisable the valuable contribution of volunteers.

They also support local groups and organisations, who are vital to the wellbeing of residents, through running the District Council’s Community Grant Scheme. The Scheme is an important funding channel for local groups, organisations and charities who have exciting projects and programmes that will improve the lives of residents across the district but who perhaps wouldn’t be able to access funding through traditional routes. This scheme allows the District Council to give successful community group bidders £150k of funding directly. Already this year, the District Council have been able to help 16 community groups in the first round of the 2024/25 Community Grant Scheme. Furthermore, the District Council provides EEM grant support for smaller groups who miss out on other funding opportunities due to their size. Since September 2023 18 small community groups have been able to receive funding from the District Council.

The District Council also promotes the Community Lottery which is an exciting weekly lottery that raises money for good causes in the district. Over the last year the lottery has raised almost £35k for the 86 ‘good causes’ that are signed up to receive donations from those that play the Community Lottery. ‘Good causes’ include local sports clubs, charities, and community venues. More information including how to play and how to sign up if you are a local group is available on the Community Lottery website: https://www.newarkandsherwoodlottery.co.uk/

A lot of help the District Council gives to the local community is often hidden such as helping a community group to obtain funding from national and regional funding streams. For example, they helped Newark Cancer Support with their successful bid to the National Lottery for funding of £4,200 which will go towards paying for monthly sessions where the group can come together, have a chat and tea and cake and support each other. They also work closely with groups such as Food Hubs or those that offer events such as Places of Welcome. In addition, they come to the aid of residents during extremely challenging times via the Humanitarian Assistance and Response Team -  during Storm Babet and Storm Henk officers were visiting communities and individuals that were impacted by the floods to ensure residents were receiving the help they needed and also led on ensuring everyone who was entitled to grant support following the storms were assessed and received financial help in a timely manner.

The team have delivered several of the District Council’s cost-of-living projects, including distributing around 500 household and hygiene packs to residents and community groups. These packs include products to help with both household and personal hygiene such as cleaning sprays, soaps and deodorants. Additionally, they have also handed uniform vouchers to local schools for parents struggling to purchase clothes for school for constantly growing children and fuel vouchers for those who need some help with the rise in fuel prices.

The team facilitated the return of the Stage Four of the Tour of Britain which took place on Friday 6 September 2024 with the route passing through the district and finishing in Newark. The event meant that residents had the chance to see international sports stars competing live. The Tour of Britain fosters a strong sense of community spirit as towns and villages across the district decorate homes and green spaces along the route or by coming out to cheer the cyclists through the district.

Councillor Paul Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and Community Relations at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “Our Community Development team might only be a small team but the work they do can be felt right across the district. This year has seen the team deliver some of their most ambitious projects to date whilst also providing help and support to residents during challenging times such as the flooding from Storm Babet and Storm Henk.

“We recognise that as a District Council we can only do so much and the work of the local community, groups, organisations, and charities is so important in helping our residents lead safe, happy, and fulfilled lives. Therefore, at Newark and Sherwood District Council we remain absolutely committed to helping our local community thrive and flourish.”

Suzanne Shead, Director of Housing, Health and Wellbeing at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “I am incredibly proud of this team and the work they do. They work tirelessly and with endless enthusiasm to help make sure our local communities thrive, and we can recognise the valuable role our volunteers, voluntary sector and partners have in making Newark and Sherwood a great district to live and work in. This year has been exceptionally busy and incredibly rewarding to see the difference this team has on the lives of residents across the district – often hidden. I am looking forward to hearing the exciting and important activities, events and programmes planned for the coming year.”