Thriving Communities Fund

Volunteer in front of Aylesbury Wombles vanOur community investment fund up to £250,000 per year aims to benefit communities and enrich the lives of people living in the Vale and beyond. The fund supports a wide variety of cultural, sporting and social activities, as well as supporting and equipping services for those most in need.

The Thriving Communities Fund aims to provide financial support for our residents and also voluntary and community organisations that operate within the areas where our residents live. There are three types of grant available:

  • Springboard Grants of up to £300 to support our residents with opportunities for wellbeing, education, training or employment.

  • Micro Grants for community or voluntary groups of up to £3,000 for small projects such as the purchase of equipment or venue hire.

  • Project Grants for community or voluntary groups of up to £10,000 for larger initiatives such as the purchase of more substantial equipment or on-going running costs.

Project grants are assessed three times a year, while Springboard and Micro Grants will be assessed every two months.

Applications are welcomed from our residents and voluntary or community organisations – full details of eligibility as well as application forms can be found using the following links. 

Grants guidance

Grants criteria

Springboard grant application form

Community Micro grant application form

To request a Community Project Grant application form, or for further advice please email the Grants Officer.

  • The Fund In Action

    Thornborough Cricket Club received a grant from the Thriving Communities Fund which was used to purchase new equipment. Take a look through our slideshow at some of the other organisations and residents that have benefitted.

    Thornborough Cricket Club received a grant from the Thriving Communities Fund which was used to purchase new equipment. Take a look through our slideshow at some of the other organisations and residents that have benefitted.

  • Springboard grants

    "I applied for £270, and used the money to pay for driving lessons and towards the cost of my practical test, which I wouldn’t have been able to afford previously. 

    Being able to drive has hugely boosted my independence and improved both mine and my young daughter’s wellbeing. I would highly recommend the Thriving Communities Fund to anyone who is in a similar position to myself.”

    Springboard grant

    One of our residents received a Springboard grant to help pay for driving lessons.

    “After seeing an article about the Thriving Communities Fund in a local newspaper, I thought I had nothing to lose by looking further into it. I found an application on the website and applied straight away. The forms were straightforward to fill out and I’d had a response within a few days. 

    "I applied for £270, and used the money to pay for driving lessons and towards the cost of my practical test, which I wouldn’t have been able to afford previously. 

    "Being able to drive has hugely boosted my independence and improved both mine and my young daughter’s wellbeing. It has also opened up opportunities for full-time employment once my daughter is at school full-time. I would highly recommend the Thriving Communities Fund to anyone who is in a similar position to myself.”

  • “Cerys has benefited from Hippotherapy (physio on horseback) due to having low muscle tone and hyper-mobility as part of her having Down Syndrome. It was key to her walking a few years ago.

    With the current financial situation, we were looking at having to stop but the Springboard Grant means she will benefit for a little bit longer from a therapy that she enjoys.”

    “Cerys has benefited from Hippotherapy (physio on horseback) due to having low muscle tone and hyper-mobility as part of her having Down Syndrome. It was key to her walking a few years ago.

     

    With the current financial situation, we were looking at having to stop but the Springboard Grant means she will benefit for a little bit longer from a therapy that she enjoys.”

  • Mirco and Project Grants

    Brackley Foodbank

    “The grant we received from Fairhive allowed us to focus all of our volunteer efforts and resources on providing support to families and individuals in our area who found themselves in food poverty, rather than diluting these efforts in fundraising activities."

    Paul Collins - Hon Treasurer

    Brackley Foodbank

    “The grant we received from Fairhive allowed us to focus all of our volunteer efforts and resources on providing support to families and individuals in our area who found themselves in food poverty, rather than diluting these efforts in fundraising activities."

    Paul Collins - Hon Treasurer

    Brackley Foodbank

    “The grant we received from Fairhive allowed us to focus all of our volunteer efforts and resources on providing support to families and individuals in our area who found themselves in food poverty, rather than diluting these efforts in fundraising activities.

    With sharply increasing food and energy costs over the past twelve months, the demand for what we provide has grown by over 40% year-on-year.

    Because of this, we increasingly rely on financial contributions to supplement, and offset the downturn in, the food donations that we are receiving."

    Paul Collins - Hon Treasurer

  • Action 4 Youth

    “The young people we are working with are struggling with a range of issues such as anxiety, low mood, relationship issues, low self-esteem, or challenging behaviour.

    Thanks to the grant from Fairhive, the sessions have provided each young person with a consistent weekly space to talk about their feelings, thoughts, and aspirations for the future.”

    Action 4 Youth Team

    “The young people we are working with are struggling with a range of issues such as anxiety, low mood, relationship issues, low self-esteem, or challenging behaviour.

    Thanks to the grant from Fairhive, the sessions have provided each young person with a consistent weekly space to talk about their feelings, thoughts, and aspirations for the future.

    100% of the young people who have completed their mentoring sessions have progressed in at least one area of their life, with feeling more supported as the main area of improvement.”

  • Thomley - Worminghall

    “Fairhive's Thriving Community Fund recently made a grant towards Disability Family Days at Thomley, which are inclusive and adapted play and learning activities for people with disabilities, their families, and their non-disabled siblings and friends.

    A huge thank you to Fairhive for helping Thomley achieve its vision.”

    Thomley Team

    Thomley - Worminghall

    “Our vision is to enhance the lives and experiences of people with disabilities, their parents, carers, and families.

    Fairhive's Thriving Community Fund recently made a grant towards Disability Family Days at Thomley, which are inclusive and adapted play and learning activities for people with disabilities, their families, and their non-disabled siblings and friends.

    A huge thank you to Fairhive for helping Thomley achieve its vision.”

    “Our vision is to enhance the lives and experiences of people with disabilities, their parents, carers, and families.

    Fairhive's Thriving Community Fund recently made a grant towards Disability Family Days at Thomley, which are inclusive and adapted play and learning activities for people with disabilities, their families, and their non-disabled siblings and friends.

    A huge thank you to Fairhive for helping Thomley achieve its vision.”

  • Autism Early Support Circle Centre

    “We are thrilled to be a grant recipient of the Fairhive Thriving Community Fund!

    They are a wonderful organisation to work alongside – always helpful and easy to contact throughout the application process. Their donation is making a huge difference to autistic children, children with sensory, communication, and interaction differences, and their families in the local area. Thank you.”

    Ellie Walsh, Trusts and Giving Manager

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