More than £350,000 of grants have been awarded to community groups, councils, schools and charities across East Hampshire.

A total of 22 projects ranging from art galleries to recreation grounds have benefited from East Hampshire District Council’s (EHDC) latest round of the Supporting Communities Fund.

The grants will go towards supporting projects that contribute to improving residents’ mental health, tackling social isolation and building resilience in community groups and organisations. 

Among the projects funded this year are £15,000 to Grayshott Concerts for a Music Outreach Programme for disadvantaged children and adults, £28,635 revenue to Autism Hampshire for Serendipity Community Groups and £20,000 capital for Clanfield Football Club to upgrade its pavilion.  

Decisions for grants outside the Whitehill & Bordon area were made by Cllr Adeel Shah, EHDC’s Portfolio Holder for Community Development and Engagement. With the support of the Grants and Awards Liaison Panel. Comprised of members drawn from across the district and across the political spectrum. 

Six grants were awarded in the Whitehill & Bordon area, with decisions made by Cllr Andy Tree, EHDC's Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for the Whitehill & Bordon Area. 

Cllr Tree said: “I am delighted to be able to support these six sensational schemes with grant funding from our Supporting Communities Fund pot.”

Cllr Shah commented: “We want to build the ability of our communities to provide support and opportunities for themselves. 

“By funding new projects and supporting existing services we can improve our residents’ health and wellbeing and by doing so save public money several times over down the line. 

“The Panel was hugely impressed with the quality and range of the projects submitted to us which really demonstrates the diversity of opportunity already on offer in East Hampshire.”