County council funding continues to benefit thousands of residents
Internet safety classes for children, community allotments, gardening clubs, and an Alzheimer's support group were some of the projects supported by Staffordshire County Council’s Community Fund last year.
The fund provides small grants for projects that benefit residents across Staffordshire, helping them care for themselves and those around them, promoting independence and improving the local environment. Each county councillor has £2,500 that they can use to support groups and projects in their respective wards.
Over 200 groups and organisations received funding worth £134,673 during 2024, generating a value of £976,407 in the projects that had been supported.
One initiative that received funding was the Barney & Echo’s Mindfulness & Internet Safety Project, which provided over 5,000 children across 70 schools in the county with classes on mindfulness, mental wellbeing and internet safety. The group hopes to continue delivering the support throughout 2025.
Faye Maddocks from Amber Bee CIC, who run the project, said: “With support from the County Councillors' Fund, we have been able to provide Staffordshire children with access to valuable resources on mindfulness and internet safety. Working with local wellbeing experts, we brought primary schools together for our Mindfulness Roadshow, continuing our commitment to early intervention.”
Other projects that benefitted from the Community Fund included the Better Lives Project run by Stone Alzheimer’s Club, which used £500 funding to provide informal and accessible clinics for their clients. The Shine On Kidsgrove Lantern Parade received £1,000 funding towards craft workshops for families and a parade through the town to help foster civic pride.
Hayley Coles, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture at Staffordshire County Council, said: “As county councillors, we play an important role within our areas. Listening to and supporting residents, ensuring that local knowledge informs the county council’s work, and strengthening the communities in which we live.
“We’re incredibly proud of the impact the Community Fund continues to have. It’s a great example of how relatively small amounts of funding can generate huge value. Local members know their patch better than anyone, will know resident’s priorities and will know about the projects that can help make a difference.
“I would urge people who have an idea that will improve their local area to speak to their local county councillor.”
This year’s fund will continue to focus on helping communities help themselves, their neighbours and their local area but will also fund projects that promote culture. This includes those projects that provide accessible and inclusive cultural activities, support local artists and creators, and bring people together to promote local pride in culture and heritage.
People should speak to their local county councillor in the first instance and further information is available at the 2025 Community Fund on its webpage.
A list of projects funded in 2024/25 is available here.
