Thirteen community projects across Herefordshire are now set to benefit from the investment to improve and transform local spaces.

The funding will support the creation of welcoming, multi-purpose venues that bring people together, strengthen connections, and make services more accessible. Successful projects span Hereford city, the market towns, and rural villages, with each chosen for the unique difference it will make in its community.

Successful applications include support for older people, young people, people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), low-income families, minority communities and those experiencing isolation or mental health challenges.

Each funded project is different, but all were chosen for the unique value they will add to their local community and locality. All funding has been awarded on the condition that projects are based on collaboration, inclusivity and measurable benefits to the community.

A special event to celebrate the awards was hosted by Councillor Carole Gandy, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing at Herefordshire Council, at the Herefordshire Archive and Records Centre (HARC) in Rotherwas on Tuesday 2 December.

Councillor Gandy said:

We were really delighted by the response to this opportunity to fund community projects that bring people together, provide or improve health and wellbeing facilities and strengthen local communities and connections. Today’s celebration marks the starting point for these projects and I am looking forward to seeing how they develop and come to fruition and to witnessing all the benefits that they will bring for local residents.

One of the projects to benefit was Putson Baptist Church in South Wye, which is used as a Talk Community Hub and venue for a wide range of community activities. These currently include coffee mornings, lunch clubs, money advice centre, health and wellbeing space and venue for kids’ holiday activities. They will use their grant to undertake a major refurbishment project that will open up the building to the community, offering a more welcoming environment and an even broader range of activities.

Rev Andy Goode, Senior Pastor at the Church, said:

I’m absolutely thrilled that we were awarded the grant. This building has been here for 85 years and the grant will open it up to the community and the community to the building.

The Revive Café in Edgar Street, Hereford city, received funding to install a lift – currently there are only stairs to the upper floor.

Lesley Marrett, Community Café and Projects Manager at Revive, said:

This money will enable us to put in a lift so we can expand and repurpose our upstairs space, increasing access and the range of things we are able to offer to our community. For example, we will be able to provide a confidential space to provide money advice and have more than one room that can be used for our community activities.

Work on the projects will commence shortly and all are expected to be completed by March 2027.

The full list of Community Spaces Capital Grants awardees:

• Pen Y Bryn Animal Sanctuary, Ross-on-Wye
• Ledbury Foodbank
• Halo Leisure, Bromyard
• Open Arms (Oxford Arms), Kington
• Revive Cafe, Hereford City
• Leominster Scout Hut
• Putson Baptist Church
• Hinton Community Centre
• Eardisland Village Hall
• Llanwarne Village Hall
• Holme Lacy Village Hall
• The Core, Hereford City
• Our Lady's, Hereford City