Three vital community projects in the Royston area are celebrating after securing a combined £4,460 in grant funding. The financial boost was awarded by North Herts Council following recommendations from the Royston and Villages Community Forum. The funding aims to help local organisations bring residents together, improve mental wellbeing, and build valuable life skills.
Barkway Social Club Receives £1,500 for Furniture
As part of the allocation, Barkway Social Club received £1,500 to replace ageing furniture and rejuvenate its building. Run entirely by volunteers, the club provides an essential social space for residents in Barkway and the surrounding villages. Nick Dear, chairman of Barkway Social Club, said: “The money will be used to replace some of the current ageing furniture, helping to make the club a more comfortable place for the members and other community groups that use the building to come and relax and socialise.”
Creative Chefs Awarded £1,460 for Carer Cookery Sessions
A grant of £1,460 was also awarded to Creative Chefs to support its monthly 'Community Cook' sessions for carers at the Old School House in Royston. The hands-on classes teach carers how to prepare healthy, affordable meals using seasonal ingredients, while offering a chance to relax and socialise. Yvonne, a carer who regularly attends the sessions, said: “Angie's cookery class is a wonderful hive of activity, where some carers like to connect with each other over a relaxing activity, or someone like me also loves to immerse myself into the new skill being learned and think of nothing else but the task in hand without distraction for a change!”
Flipside C2C Gets £1,500 for Employment Pilot Programme
The final £1,500 grant was handed to Flipside C2C CIC to cover venue hire costs at the Coombes Community Centre for its new 'Flip Forward' pilot programme. The initiative is designed to help up to 50 people facing challenges like homelessness, addiction, or long-term unemployment build the confidence and skills needed to find work. Joanna Brooker, managing director at Flipside C2C CIC, said: “Flip Forward supports people facing barriers to employment to take positive steps towards meaningful work, training and opportunity.”
Council Praise for Community Impact
Cllr Daniel Allen, executive member for Governance, added: "We are pleased to support projects that bring people together, improve wellbeing and create opportunities for residents across our communities. From strengthening an important community venue in Barkway to supporting carers and helping people develop skills for employment, these projects will make a positive difference to local people." Anyone who would like to find out more details about applying for local funding can visit the official North Herts Council community grants webpage.
