New grant to help boost sports activity in West Suffolk

22 Jan 2024

Community sports clubs from across West Suffolk can now apply for a council grant to help increase participation and further enhance activity.

Grants of between £200 and £1000 are being made available under West Suffolk Council’s Capital Sports Fund.

Cllr Ian Shipp, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture at West Suffolk Council, said: “Keeping active at all ages, can have a massively positive impact on people’s health and wellbeing. Sport can bring people together, forge friendships, create a sense of pride and belonging, and help people stay fit. 

“I’m proud to live in Mildenhall which was named Suffolk’s Most Active Town last year but we are keen to support sports activity across all of our West Suffolk communities. That’s why I am delighted to launch this Capital Sports Fund.”

The money can be used to support capital costs such as playing and training equipment, kit, and other items such as first aid equipment.

The total amount of funding within this financial year is limited. West Suffolk Council is using £14,700 from its UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) allocation from Central Government to provide the grants.

There is no deadline for applications but once the money is allocated, the fund will close. Grants should also be spent by 31 March 2024 and cannot be paid as retrospective funding for project costs already incurred. 

Applications will be assessed, and all grants are subject to criteria in line with UKSPF.

Anyone interested in applying or finding out should email policy@westsuffolk.gov.uk and request a Capital Sports Fund application form.

In total, West Suffolk Council has been allocated £1,943,467 over three years through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, see the Government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund prospectus. 

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