Community fund to get more residents active and back into sport

15 Dec 2025

Grassroots sports clubs across West Suffolk can now apply for grants from a £25,000 fund designed to boost activity and benefit residents’ physical and mental health.

West Suffolk Council’s Get Back Into Sport fund is offering grants of between £100 and £750 to community sports clubs. The money can be used to support capital costs such as playing and training equipment, kit, and other items such as first aid equipment.

Through this, the clubs will be able to take on new members, create additional teams and increase sports activity and participation in their local community. This could include new introduction, lighter or walking versions of sports as well as men’s, women’s and youth teams.

The Get Back Into Sports fund is being delivered as part of West Suffolk Council’s Strategic Priority for Thriving Communities.

Cllr Donna Higgins, Cabinet Member for Families and Communities at West Suffolk Council said: “We want to encourage people of all ages across West Suffolk to be active. It can benefit their health, happiness and quality of life and is part of our aim for a Thriving West Suffolk.

“Through Feel Good Suffolk we are already promoting free tailored support to people who have either been referred by medical professionals or have self-referred for help, to get more active, manage their weight or quit smoking.

“But we also want to people to get involved with the sports activities being delivered on the doorstep within their local community.

“Participation in grassroot sports can bring huge benefits to people’s health and wellbeing. We want to encourage it as a way of life for all ages from children through to their parents and grandparents. It brings people together, forges friendships, creates a sense of pride and belonging and reduces feelings of isolation and loneliness.  

“That’s why I am delighted to open our Get Back Into Sports fund to applications to help boost participation and activity for the benefit of West Suffolk residents.”

West Suffolk Council is using £25,449 from its UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) allocation from Central Government to provide the grants.

The deadline for applications is 3 February 2026. Grants should also be spent by 31 March 2026 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.

As well as grassroots clubs, the fund is also open to charities, social enterprise, village hall and recreation ground committees and more. Anyone who wishes to discuss an idea before making an application can contact families.communities@westsuffolk.gov.uk while an application form can be requested by emailing policy@westsuffolk.gov.uk

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