Can you support a local community project or two?

Residents and businesses across Shropshire are being encouraged to support a number of exciting projects which could really make a difference to local communities.

Crowdfund Shropshire, is a civic fundraising platform where community groups can get their projects funded by public and grant funding. There are currently 19 community projects looking for support and Shropshire Council is encouraging local residents to access the website to find out more about the important work planned in local communities across the county.

Sarah Dodds, Shropshire Council’s feedback and insight team leader, said:

“If you are in a position to give your time or financial support it would be really appreciated by all the community groups and volunteers working to support others in their area. Small donations can start from £2 and each one makes a difference.”

Green spaces, nature and outdoors projects looking for support include Condover Woodland park; Annscroft Play Area and path; Berwyn View Pump Track in Ellesmere; Treflach Farm CIC’s Community Growing Hub; Fordhall Farm’s River-Friendly farming project; and a Community Orchard at Blossom Barns, Sutton. Shropshire Association of Local Councils is also leading work on a countywide project to develop Wellbeing Benches to encourage people outdoors and offer a connection with nature and somewhere to take a rest.

There are a wide range of projects on the website focused on community arts culture and heritage including a Craft Hub in Gobowen, Community Clay Club in Ludlow, Rural Art Hub’s pOSsibility machines community arts project, a project to fundraise to revive Oswestry’s community cinema, Community Singing in Wem and Ludlow Male Voice Choir’s “Ludlow Men: Together we sing” project.

Some of the projects are designed to meet the needs identified within communities, Whitchurch is seeking to establish a Digital Hub, project delivery is planned for A Stay Mentally Health Community Hub in Bridgnorth, Craven Arms has Include Me, a project designed to promote inclusion for anyone who feels lonely or needs a safe space and friendship. Little Stars, a charity working to ensure children have access to essentials and clothes at every stage of childhood has a growth project and Stretton Climate Care is working to meet demand for cycle storage to promote active travel at Church Stretton Station. Last but not least, West Mercia Search and Rescue are also fundraising for their Help Save A Life project which will enable them to continue the amazing work they do in Shropshire and beyond to respond in emergency situations.

Each project will receive a pledge of financial support from Shropshire Council using the UK Shared Prosperity Fund which aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. Green spaces projects are supported by the Rural Fund. For more information, people can visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

Sarah added:

“Shropshire is very fortunate to be home to many people who go the extra mile for their communities: volunteering, establishing projects to meet local needs and designing new and exciting ways of making improvements for people and our environment. In the current climate funding can be hard to find. All of the 19 projects currently listed on the site would be grateful for any support. Even a few pounds can help make a difference and every person who helps forms the crowd (people interested in their communities who are willing to help make things happen).”

Shropshire Council is currently hoping to gain support for these important projects but if anyone has a project idea, they are encouraged to get in touch by emailing crowdfund@shropshire.gov.uk for local support or if they want to plan early for future rounds of funding, they can set up a project by emailing support@spacehive.com.

About Spacehive

The home of community fundraising, Spacehive makes it easy for people to improve their local area. It’s also recently been named SME of the Year at the prestigious edie Awards.

Spacehive build technology to help crowdfund local projects that communities want; from spruced up playgrounds and new street markets, to city farms and learning hubs. They have helped fund over 2,000 ideas and raised more than £30 million to support local communities.

When local communities have an idea and start a project, Spacehive connects it to exclusive funds from companies, councils and foundations that want to help bring communities to life.

Spacehive have the highest success rate of any crowdfunding platform in the UK (85% success rate, rising to 94% when a partner pledges). Its aim is to deliver the bright, transformational local project ideas that make communities happy, proud and prosperous.