Community Development
The Community Development team work in the heart of the Fenland community, sourcing funding and offering a wide range of projects to help improve the lives of our Fenland residents.
Community Development forms an important part of the Council's Economic and Community Development team. The main objectives of the team are:
- To work towards successful delivery of the Sustainable Community Strategy
- To work in partnership to develop the Fenland economy and improve local skills
- To develop the capacity of local community to improve community cohesion and quality of life
Our role is to facilitate communities in developing and sustaining their own projects by providing grant aid, support and advice by:
- Support for Parish Plans
- Ongoing support for young people and older people through various initiatives
- Information sharing and signposting
- Developing community engagement, capacity and community cohesion
- Strengthening the community and voluntary sector
- Improving the vitality and viability of market towns through partnership working
- Contributing towards the successful development and delivery of the Fenland Sustainable Community Strategy
- Helping with the development of community projects
- Assisting the delivery of the Neighbourhood Management Boards and Community Fairs
Community development grants for local projects
Available to voluntary and charitable organisations in Fenland. If you would like to find out more information on the grants scheme please contact jmoden@fenland.gov.uk or call 01354 654321 or if you would like help on funding applications or a community project please call Hetty Thornton, Senior Community Development Officer on 01354 654321 or email hthornton@fenland.gov.uk
Community Development Toolkits:
- Funding Toolkit
- Organisational Development Toolkit
Our services include:
- Grants to Voluntary Organisations - As well as supporting community projects, we organise a range of district-wide initiatives. These include the Community Development Funding Toolkit, Organisational Development Toolkit. Fenland Youth District Council and the Fenland Golden Age Fairs.
- Young People - The district council currently runs:
- Fenland Youth District Council - a constituted group of 18 young people drawn from secondary schools across Fenland (including the Grammar school) representing the views and opinions of young people throughout the district.
- Youth Grants Scheme - a rolling small grants scheme for awards up to £1000 for projects with or for young people. Application forms are available on request from ydc@fenland.gov.uk
- Golden Age - Fenland District Council offers support for older residents through the Golden Age project.
- The Council's ground-breaking Golden Age Fairs project provides help and guidance for the over 60s in their own villages. This initiative is the first of its kind in the country and demonstrates that Fenland is leading the field nationally.
- The aim of this project is to take the services needed and requested by the over 60s to their villages - so providing help and guidance in a social setting, on their doorstep. More information can be found on the Golden Age pages of the Council's website or from the Programme Support Officer Jean Moden jmoden@fenland.gov.uk
