Community groups receive funding to help people ‘live well’ this winter

The ‘Living Well in Winter’ grant, funded by Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils, was first introduced in 2023. It exists to help local organisations such as town and parish councils, village hall committees, sports clubs, charities, social enterprises and community shops deliver new and existing accessible spaces and activities during the colder months.

This year, the latest funding window has provided a wide range of organisations with grants between £500 and £2,000, with successful projects offering anything from warm spaces and coffee mornings to movie showings and dance classes.

In total, £31,549 has been awarded, with £15,173 shared between 12 projects in Babergh and £16,376 split between 13 projects in Mid Suffolk.

Cllr Laura Smith, Babergh District Council cabinet member for thriving communities, said:

“Local organisations are the lifeblood of our communities so it’s essential that we support them, and the work they do, whenever possible.

“The purpose of this grant is to make sure our residents feel connected to each other no matter where they live, so I’m really pleased that the successful projects in Babergh stretch far and wide across the district.”

Cllr Tim Weller, Mid Suffolk District Council cabinet member for environment, culture and wellbeing, said:

“It’s no secret that winter is a tough time for many of us and the recent cold spell hasn’t made things any easier. Thankfully, our district is full of amazing groups that have been putting on engaging projects to boost community spirit in the face of challenging circumstances.

“I’d like to thank all of these organisations for taking advantage of this important grant and applying for funding – you are making the difference to a lot of people who might be struggling.”

Last year, £36,000 was awarded to organisations across the districts as part of the Living Well in Winter grant.

Babergh successful projects

• Stanstead Community Centre – providing space for games, refreshments and snacks in a warm space every Thursday, 11am – 1pm.
• Karen Louise Dance CIC – Hadleigh Movers: weekly dance classes with social time.
• Sudbury Baptist Church – kitchen appliances and minor capital works to aid provision of refreshments and support for community groups using the space on a weekly basis.
• St Mary’s Church, Glemsford – adding a seated exercise activity to the weekly coffee morning offer in the Old School Hall.
• Lavenham Community Council – continuation of ‘Flix in the Stix’ monthly film showings.
• Thorpe Morieux Village Hall Committee – Thorpe Morieux coffee, cake and chat – fortnightly sessions held on different days/times to cater for those both working and not. Monday or Saturday morning 10.30am to 12.30pm, Friday evening 5.30pm to 7.30pm.
• Layham Village Hall – fortnightly warm space and hot food offer.
• Chamberlin Hall – Social Sundays.
• Holbrook Methodist Church – support towards running costs of community café, open for three weekly session and once a month on a Saturday.
• Great Waldingfield Coffee Morning – weekly coffee morning with drop-in sessions from hypertension clinic and parish council.
• Peninsula Repair Café – continuation of repair café, with addition of food offering and more social opportunities.
• Burstall Village Hall – increased number of community lunches.

Mid Suffolk successful projects

• Wickham Skeith Village Hall Committee – equipment for various social and activity clubs within the village hall.
• Hessett & Beyton Village Hall – ‘Tea & T’chat’ weekly social group.
• SLM Community Leisure Charitable Trust – weekly 90-minute physical activity and social interaction session at Stowmarket Community Centre.
• Bedfield & Monk Soham Community Club – support towards continuation of three social interaction clubs: Care Club, Our Club (over 60s) and Craft Club.
• Lorraine Victory Hall – fortnightly table tennis/walking activity offering warm space, social opportunities and refreshments.
• Karen Louise Dance CIC – Stow Movers: weekly dance classes with social time.
• Lord Thurlow Community Hall – range of events over winter.
• The Coddenham Centre CIO – Cooked in Coddenham – free soup lunches.
• St Peter and St Mary’s Church Stowmarket – social and warm space.
• Syleham and Wingfield Village Hall – coffee and chat sessions throughout the month.
• Eyes Open CIC – subsidising hot drinks and providing social sessions over winter period.
• Stradbroke Courthouse and Library Trust – continued community café.
• Mendham Primary School – equipment to increase breakfast and after school club offer.