Month: June 2025

🥣 East Cleveland Good Neighbours – Big Local SOUP Events Evaluation Report Released – June 2025

Since October 2022, East Cleveland Good Neighbours (ECGN), supported by Tees Valley Rural Action (TVRA), have hosted a series of community-led SOUP funding events inspired by the Detroit SOUP model. These events have empowered grassroots groups across East Cleveland by providing micro-grants, fostering collaboration, and strengthening community ties.

📊 Key Highlights from the Evaluation Report (Oct 2022 – Feb 2025)

• 67 projects funded, supporting Big Local Plan themes:
  • Young People (e.g., Scouts, youth sports)
  • Health & Wellbeing (e.g., counselling, fitness)
  • Being Neighbourly (e.g., gardening, local pride)
  • Campaigning & Strong Local Voices

• Event Themes were then added in 2024.  Such as “Go Green” and “Volunteers Week”
• Attendance ranged from 30 to 70 people per event, with February 2025 seeing the highest turnout.
• 95% satisfaction with event structure and inclusive.
• 88% of funded groups reported a positive impact.
• New connections formed: Some groups linked with over 20 others, sparking collaborations and shared events.
• Vital funding: Many groups said they would have closed or scaled back without Big Local funding support.
• Inclusive innovation: Projects adapted to meet hidden needs—like TEES expanding hygiene support to older adults post-COVID.
• Community transformation: Groups like Saltburn & East Cleveland Befrienders evolved in confidence and public perception through repeated participation.

🛠️ Recommendations for Future Growth

• Expand the SOUP model and increase funding caps for scalable projects
• Standardise impact reporting templates
• Offer training for pitching and evaluation
• Strengthen youth engagement strategies
• Publish annual legacy reports to share outcomes and inspire replication

📣 Why This Matters

The SOUP events have proven to be more than just funding opportunities—they are platforms for civic dialogue, community pride, and sustainable development. With continued support and refinement, this model can serve as a blueprint for grassroots empowerment across the UK.

📥 Download the full report here EGGN SOUP FUNDING EVALUATION REPORT 2025 or contact us to learn more:
📧 info@teesvalleyruralaction.co.uk

3rd June 2025

Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) is pleased that further grant funding is being made available by government to help restore and modernise rural community buildings across England.

Village halls across England are now able to apply for grants to improve buildings and facilities. The grants scheme was first announced to mark the occasion of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. The fund recognises the important role that village halls play in supporting rural communities.

To date just under £3m in grant funding has been awarded to village halls across rural England.
ACRE has been pleased to see the transformation of village halls and to have been able to contribute. From new roofs with solar panels, internal reconfigurations with additional storage and much improved kitchens and toilet facilities to church spaces being utilised for community use; the improvements have been inspiring.

Richard Paxton of Little Aston Village Hall, Staffordshire told us:
“The promise of a grant from the Platinum Jubilee Village Halls Fund was a real boost to our fundraising efforts. It changed the apparent perception of the project by other grant sources from one that was unlikely to achieve sufficient funding into a one that was worth backing. We are so grateful”

Groups responsible for village halls and working on projects to the value of £37,500 or more that lead to a reduction in rural loneliness, have a positive impact on the local environment, support the rural economy and contribute to community life can apply for grants between £7,500 and £75,000.

Grants for the smaller projects that halls wish to carry out may be made available later in the year or, do consider the Rural Community Buildings Loan Fund.

Find out how to apply

Please read the criteria carefully to find out if your village hall is eligible.

Queries can be emailed to villagehallsfund@acre.org.uk

After another long period of ups and downs and twists and turns in the voluntary sector, Third Sector Trends is back to find out what’s going on.  We’d really like you to take part so that we can build a better picture of what is happening here in the North East.

Many of you will have helped with this research before and if you’re a new organisation, Durham University are just as keen to see what you do, how things are going and what you’re achieving.

Whether you’re big or small – thriving, struggling or just going along as normal – they need to hear from you. It’s quick and easy to do on your PC, laptop, tablet or phone. It’s interesting too and really helps to build a picture about how the voluntary sector responds to and initiates change in society.

So if you’re an amateur sports, dance or gardening club, a village hall, a carers’ group, an arts organisation, a campaigning trust; or if you deliver social or health services, care for the environment or run a hostel or food bank – whatever you do, it’s all equally important.

The study is big (6,000+ responses in 2022) and runs right across England and Wales. But its focus is still very local – looking at how the voluntary sector develops and works in areas like ours – whether the interests you serve are focused in a neighbourhood/village – or span national/international boundaries.

It’s completely confidential, incredibly relevant to the voluntary sector and those who support it and only happens every three years.

To take part, click here Third Sector Trends in England and Wales 2025.

If you’re worried about anything – please contact Professor Tony Chapman, Durham University tony.chapman@durham.ac.uk