£150,000 of extra funding for Do It for East Yorkshire Community Grant

East Riding of Yorkshire Council is making another £150,000 of funding available for community projects through the Do It for East Yorkshire Community Grant. 

Cabinet approved the extra funding as it agreed spending plans for the council’s Household Support Fund, which provides help to people in need during the cost-of-living crisis. 

Since 2021, the Do It for East Yorkshire Community Grant has awarded over £700,000 to more than 230 projects across the East Riding. 

Projects have included one-off community events, lunch clubs, activity groups, Pride events, "welcoming place" activities and even a flowerpot festival. 

The New Pasture Lane Community Centre in Bridlington secured £4,000 of Do It for East Yorkshire funding to run a Friday Community Lunch Club.  

This club provided free hot meals to residents, while creating an opportunity for the community to come together and socialise. 

One of the attendees said: “The best thing has been the company, the food and not having to wash up!” 

Between June 2021 and March 2023, more than 25,000 people attended projects funded through the Do It for East Yorkshire Community Grant.  

The council estimates that these projects delivered £13.69 of social value for every £1 spent. 

In 2022, community groups were awarded 46 grants for “welcoming place” activities, which allowed them to open their doors to more than 2,500 vulnerable residents over the winter months.  

Cllr Leo Hammond, cabinet member for planning, communities and public protection, said: “The Do it for East Yorkshire Community Grant has supported hundreds of community projects and activities to improve health and well-being, improve access to local resources and services and reduce social isolation. 

“Today we are allocating another £150,000 to this fund as part of our Household Support Fund spending plans, in line with our key priorities of Empowering and Supporting Communities, Protecting the Vulnerable and Helping Children and Young People Achieve.” 

Commenting on the wider Household Support Fund, Councillor Anne Handley, leader of the council, said: “Since June, we have already used the money from the Household Support Fund to provide free school meals, and support to a very wide range of people and organisations, including people on low incomes, care leavers, unpaid carers, and food banks across the East Riding. 

“I am delighted that we have today agreed the allocation of the remainder of the funds allocated to us. The Household Support Fund has already proved a lifeline for many people, and these remaining funds will be a real help to many more residents and organisations over the coming months.” 

The Do it For East Yorkshire Community Grant provides activity funding of between £1,500 and £5,000 to voluntary and community groups, as well as town and parish councils in the East Riding. Groups can also apply for an additional amount of up to £7,500 if they require small capital spend. 

For more details and to submit an expression of interest, visit Do it for East Yorkshire.

For more information or support with an application, email localgrowth@eastriding.gov.uk.