Active Communities Fund

This is available to residents, groups, and organisations in the following areas: 

• Hemsworth
• South Kirkby
• Upton
• Ryhill
• Kinsley
• Fitzwilliam
• Havercroft
• South Elmsall

The aim is to fund ideas that help people get out and about more and be active where they live. Grants of up to £1000 are available. We're open to fresh ideas! What's important is that your idea supports the South East communities to become places where being active is attractive and accessible.

The funding can support communities to:

• reduce social isolation
• improve mental and physical wellbeing
• improve the use of green space
• raise aspirations for Families, young people and adults
• support people to learn and develop their interests
• improve the local economy

What could be funded?

Some examples are listed below. However, this is not an exhaustive list.

We are keen to hear about different, bold, and innovative ways the funding may be used:

• events, or activities at events
• materials and/or tools for developing community assets
• informal and/or formal training to develop people's skills
• qualifications
• mentoring and support for volunteers or staff
• specialist expertise to help develop an idea or deliver a project
• technology
• marketing and communication activities

The fund is open to

• not-for profit voluntary or community organisations
• registered charities
• not-for profit company, community interest company or social enterprise
• individuals or informal groups

About the Grants

Active people contribute to a healthy and vibrant community, and a thriving community supports more people to be active.

We want to hear about how we can create the right conditions for people to ‘get out and about more’ and be active where they live, reducing inequalities in our communities.

By doing so, the grants aim to support communities to:

• support one or more of the target audiences to get out and about more 
  • inactive people
  • people on low incomes
  • families with children
• help to create or inspire sustainable, long-lasting changes in a community
• involve local people in developing ideas which strengthen community asset of people, skills, places and groups
• deliver value for money and quality outcomes for the community, while making good use of resources in the community
• provide opportunities for creativity and for communities to try new things

Who can apply

• not-for profit voluntary or community organisations
• registered charities
• faith-based organisations
• not-for profit companies, community interest companies or social enterprises
• individuals or informal groups
• individuals and un-constituted groups

Individuals or groups who are un-constituted and/or do not have a bank account should contact the Active Through Football project manager, in the first instance, before completing the application form. They will discuss your idea with you and provide support to access the grant.

We are unable to fund ideas that are

• activities promoting religious beliefs.
• political activities.
• goods or services that have already been purchased or ordered.
• activities outside of the following areas:
  • Hemsworth
  • South Kirkby
  • Upton
  • Ryhill
  • Kinsley
  • Fitzwilliam
  • Havercroft
  • South Hiendley
  • South Elmsall.
• on-going organisational running costs.
• trips and holidays.
• costs that are already included within and funded by an existing grant or contract
• school activities that are included within the curriculum (activities led by schools that engage the community will be eligible/considered)
• endowments or loan repayments.
• items that can only benefit an individual

Evaluation and celebrating success

We want to help raise the profile of the great work that taking place in the Southeast of Wakefield.

To help us do that, all successful applicants must be willing to share a case study and a short questionnaire with Wakefield Council, within 8 months of receipt of funding.

When is the deadline to submit applications?

You can submit your application at any time, there is no deadline.

The 2025 to 2026 funding window will close on 1 February 2026 and reopen on 1 April 2026 until 1 February 2027.

What happens when you submit your application?

You will receive an acknowledgement letter or email which will have your unique reference number on it.

You may be contacted by the Active Through Football Project manager to discuss your application in more detail.

Applications will be assessed by a small panel of local representatives, colleagues of Wakefield Council. Decisions will be based on the strength of the application according to the aims of the Active Communities Fund.  

When a decision has been made, you will be notified in writing or via email.

You will be contacted to arrange receipt of the grant.

The Active Through Football project manager can provide support – keep in touch with them to let them know how you are doing.

Once delivery has started, you will need to send a weekly register and ensure that all participants are registered on the UPSHOT system. 

The fund must be used and a case study submitted within 8 months of receipt of the Fund.

Unsuccessful applications

The decision is final and there is no right of appeal. However, unsuccessful applicants will be referred to the Active Through Football project manager for support, and they are able to re-apply based on the support and advice they are given.

Find Out More

For more information and for support to develop your idea, please contact the Active Through Football project manager:

Mark Wozniak, Active Through Football Project Manager

• phone: 07796114342
• email: mwozniak@wakefield.gov.uk