Success stories from the 2024/25 Small Grant Fund

A total of 61 applications were received in 2024/25 Small Grants Fund scheme requesting £260,160 in bids.

A total of 38 bids were successful in sharing £164,200 worth of grants. The successful project and their outcomes are listed below.

Alice House Theatre

Awarded: £5,000 to deliver an after-school drama project for secondary school students in Reading.

How it was used: The funding enabled workshops, regular drama sessions and a final performance at a professional theatre, helping young people develop confidence, communication and creative skills.

Result: Around 45 students participated directly, over 300 students engaged through workshops, and approximately 700 people were reached overall, strengthening connections between schools and increasing access to creative opportunities.

Aspire2

Awarded: £5,000 to deliver a Music Mentoring Programme for primary school children in the Whitley area.

How it was used: The funding enabled trained musicians to provide one-to-one and small group mentoring sessions, combining music education with emotional and wellbeing support.

Result: The project successfully supported 72 children aged 6–11, helping to improve their confidence, emotional resilience, social skills and engagement in learning, particularly for pupils at risk of exclusion or experiencing mental health challenges.

Avanti Cycling Trust CIC

Awarded: £4,950 to support community cycling activities in more deprived areas of Reading.

How it was used: The funding enabled the delivery of ride-based cycling sessions and free “Dr Bike” repair events at local community centres, helping children and adults build cycling confidence, learn bike maintenance skills and stay physically active.

Result: Over the project period, the initiative supported well over 100 residents, including around 120 child participations across 28 cycling sessions, while fixing more than 100 bicycles, helping families overcome cost barriers to cycling and promoting healthier, more active lifestyles.

Barbados and Friends Association (BAFA)

Awarded: £2,500 to support health awareness and community activities for the Afro-Caribbean and wider community in Reading.

How was it used: The funding enabled delivery of health seminars, wellbeing walks and cultural events, alongside support for community initiatives and annual celebrations.

Result: Hundreds of residents engaged in activities, including up to 200 attendees at community events and 150 at the annual dinner, helping to improve wellbeing, strengthen community connections and celebrate cultural heritage.

Becalm Foundation

Awarded: £4,220 to continue delivery of the Emerge Youth Club at Whitley Wood Community Centre.

How it was used: The funding enabled the organisation to employ youth workers, cover venue hire, resources, refreshments and insurance, creating a safe and welcoming space for young people to socialise, stay active and develop positive coping strategies around mental health and behaviour.

Result: The project successfully supported 24 children and young people, helping to improve confidence, social skills and wellbeing, while building trusted relationships with families and sustaining long-term engagement beyond the grant period.

Becoming Mums

Awarded: £4,900 to support mothers in the Whitley Park Primary School community who are at risk of isolation and poor mental wellbeing.

How it was used: The funding enabled the delivery of a 6week programme of peer support, creative workshops, mental health check-ins and practical family support, delivered in partnership with school family support services and specialist facilitators.

Result: The project successfully supported 20 women, helping to build confidence, reduce isolation, strengthen social connections and improve access to early help services, with wider positive impacts for their families and children.

Bengali Cultural Society – Reading

Awarded: £5,000 to support venue hire costs for the 13th Reading Autumn Festival (Durga Puja).

How it was used: The funding helped deliver one of Berkshire’s largest Indian cultural festivals, providing a platform for local and professional performers to showcase their talents and celebrate Indian culture.

Result: Despite significant challenges in securing an affordable venue and higher-than-expected costs, the four-day festival attracted over 6,000 attendees and featured more than 24 performances. The project helped promote cultural inclusion, community participation and cultural learning, with over 100 children benefiting from opportunities to engage with and learn about Indian culture.

British Islamic Gardens

Awarded: £5,000 to deliver the Creative Gardens programme, using creative arts workshops in community gardens to support lifelong learning, confidence building, and health and wellbeing in disadvantaged communities across Reading.

How it was used: The funding enabled the delivery of 12 creative, garden-based arts activities in locations including Whitley, Hexham Road, Lyndhurst Community Centre, the NHS Oasis Garden and the RISC Roof Garden, engaging refugees, asylum seekers, families, older residents and people experiencing mental health challenges.

Result: The project supported over 184 residents, helping participants develop new skills, strengthen community connections, improve wellbeing and build confidence through inclusive, culturally sensitive and intergenerational creative activities.

Deaf Sports First

Awarded: £2,400

How it was used: The funding enabled the organisation to deliver the Deaf Veterans Football Festival in June 2025, benefiting around 80 people, including deaf footballers, families, and children.

Result: The event brought together deaf veterans aged 35+ for 5 a side football tournament, alongside inclusive, deaf-friendly coaching sessions for children of all hearing abilities.

Depression Xpression

Awarded: £2,466 to facilitate regular peer support groups for people experiencing mental health issues in Reading.

How it was used: The funding enabled the delivery of weekly coffee mornings, evening discussion groups and online support sessions, helping to reduce social isolation and improve wellbeing.

Result: Over the grant period, the project successfully supported 87 individuals, providing welcoming, non-judgemental spaces where participants felt supported, connected and better able to manage their mental health.

Dogmouth Theatre

Awarded: £5,000 to organise and promote two Howling @ The Moon cabaret events in Reading.

How it was used: The funding enabled the organisation to establish and grow a queer-friendly cabaret space for Reading’s lesbian, bisexual and wider LGBTQ+ communities, while supporting local artists and creatives. The grant covered artist fees, producer costs, marketing, travel expenses, photography and essential digital assets to help sustain future events.

Result: Two events were successfully delivered, supporting 15 performers, 4 creative professionals and 82 audience members. The project provided paid opportunities for local artists, kept ticket prices affordable with discounted tickets for low-income residents, raised charitable donations for Gendered Intelligence, and helped create a sustainable platform for inclusive arts and cultural activity in Reading.

East Reading Festival

Awarded: £2,500 to support the delivery of a free, one-day community festival in East Reading.

How it was used: The funding helped cover key event costs including staging, activities, and community engagement, enabling a diverse programme of multicultural music, performances and family activities.

Result: The festival attracted an estimated 4,000 to 6,000 attendees, bringing communities together, promoting cultural understanding, and creating a positive and inclusive environment enjoyed by residents.

Enrych Berkshire

Awarded: £5,000 to support adults with physical disabilities in Reading.

How it was used: The funding contributed to the employment of a part-time Volunteer Coordinator, helping to reduce social isolation and improve members’ mental and physical wellbeing.

Result: The organisation-maintained support for an average of 24 adults with physical disabilities over the year, while also enabling additional referrals by moving around 6 members into social support pathways.

Evoke: Creative Wellness

Awarded: £5,000 to deliver holiday programmes supporting young people and families in Reading.

How it was used: The funding enabled Easter and summer camps focused on skills development, wellbeing and new opportunities beyond the school curriculum.

Result: 24 children aged 11–14 and their families benefited, with participants building confidence, forming new friendships and exploring new interests, while helping to ease pressures on parents during school holidays.

Faith Christian Group

Awarded: £4,500 to strengthen local food provision through its Reading Pantries project.

How it was used: The funding enabled the organisation to open a new community pantry while supporting and expanding existing pantries across Reading. The grant covered essential white goods and support costs, helping sites operate safely, efficiently, and sustainably.

Result: The project supported over 350 households each week, providing access to affordable, subsidised food for residents facing food poverty. The project has helped reduce financial pressure on families and ensured people can access dignified, local support for residents. 

Frontline Debt Advice

Awarded: £4,680.74 to upgrade essential IT, office equipment and communications systems to improve service delivery.

How it was used: The funding enabled volunteers to work more flexibly and remotely through the provision of laptops and a modernised telephony system, significantly increasing responsiveness and efficiency.

Result: The organisation has been able to support 189 client families, benefitting over 340 individuals, reduce waiting times for advice, and help write off over £288,000 of debt, strengthening vital debt support services for residents in Reading.

Graft Thames Valley Ltd

Awarded: £4,808 to deliver the Bridges to Employment project, supporting disadvantaged jobseekers in Reading.

How it was used: The funding enabled the delivery of drop-in surgeries, targeted employability workshops and supported work experience placements for individuals facing barriers such as autism, mental health challenges, past convictions and long-term unemployment.

Result: The project directly supported over 48 residents, helping to increase their confidence, employability skills and progression towards training, volunteering and sustainable employment.

Green Health Thames Valley

Awarded: £4,951 to deliver Green Health Walks for Wellbeing, supporting isolated and vulnerable residents to improve their mental and physical health through accessible outdoor activity.

How it was used: The funding enabled the delivery of 36 inclusive guided walks in local green spaces around Hexham Community Centre, adapted to participants’ abilities and interests.

Result: The project supported small community-based groups to build friendships, increase physical activity, connect with nature and take positive action in their local environment, with 100% of participants reporting improved wellbeing after taking part.

Green Shoots Book Club

Awarded: £5,000 to deliver a creative writing project supporting children and families in Reading.

How it was used: The funding enabled the development of a diverse library, delivery of workshops, and organisation of community events, helping to improve literacy, confidence and educational outcomes.

Result: 86 people benefited from creative sessions, performances and learning activities, with children developing new skills, greater confidence and stronger engagement in education and community life.

Health and Education South

Awarded: £5,000 to provide free English ESOL classes for asylum seekers and refugees in Reading.

How it was used: The funding enabled the continuation of six months of free classes, covering staffing, classroom costs and learning materials at a critical point when learners are not eligible for mainstream funding.

Result: The project supported around 85 newly arrived asylum seekers and refugees, helping to improve English language skills, confidence, mental wellbeing and social integration, while enabling progression into further education, volunteering and employment opportunities.

Kidical Mass Reading

Awarded: £1,672 to deliver bike repair and brake maintenance workshops aimed at removing cost and skills barriers to safe cycling, particularly for marginalised groups and people who rely on bikes for work.

How it was used: The funding enabled the purchase of essential tools, spare parts and insurance, and supported the delivery of two workshops alongside a partnership with a local bike hub.

Result: The project extended far beyond the workshops themselves, enabling over 400 people to access free tools on an ongoing basis and supporting around 200 bike repairs, helping residents keep their bikes safe, roadworthy and affordable to maintain.

Muslim Roots Collective CIC

Awarded £5,000 to support staffing and delivery of outdoor learning and family sessions in Reading.

How it was used: The funding enabled regular “Muddy Mondays” and stay-and-play sessions, providing inclusive, play-based learning opportunities for children and families.

Result: Over 120–150 children directly benefited, with 258 bookings recorded and strong repeat attendance, helping to build confidence, improve wellbeing and create a supportive community for families.

Reading Athletic Club

Awarded: £4,640 to recruit young athletes from disadvantaged areas of Reading and improve club facilities.

How it was used: The funding provided free and subsidised athletics coaching, memberships and competition vests for young people, as well as new training equipment and a storage container.

Result: Around 60 children took part in school sessions, 20 young people accessed free or reduced-cost training, and 10 athletes received free club membership. The project helped reduce barriers to participation in sport, supported young people from lower-income families, and improved facilities for the club’s wider membership.

Reading Caribbean Nation CIC

Awarded: £5,000 to deliver volunteer training and creative costume and DJ workshops, promoting Caribbean culture and supporting the Windrush Carnival in Reading.

How it was used: The funding enabled training in safeguarding, first aid and DBS checks for volunteers, alongside hands-on costume making and DJ workshops for young people.

Result: 66 children were engaged in creative learning and skills development, proudly showcasing their work at the Flags of Freedom event, with wider benefits for over 100 people, including families and volunteers, while strengthening community engagement and interest in future carnival events.

Reading Community Consulting and Accounting

Awarded: £5,000

How it was used: To deliver the Realise Youth Engagement Project (RYEP), supporting young people and families in Reading through personal development coaching, skills-based training and research into local youth service provision.

Result: The project engaged 83 beneficiaries, including children, young adults, parents and guardians, and participants in a youth forum and community WhatsApp group. It helped identify local needs, amplify young people’s voices, strengthen community partnerships, and develop recommendations for improving inclusive and accessible youth services across the borough.

Reading Ex British Gurkha Association (REBGA)

Awarded: £5,000 to deliver a Health and Wellbeing project for senior citizens and veterans.

How it was used: The funding enabled the organisation to provide yoga sessions, English language classes, health awareness activities, social gatherings, cultural events and wellbeing support free of charge.

Result: Around 50–60 older residents improved their physical health, confidence, social connections and access to information, while 20 volunteers and committee members strengthened their skills in project delivery and community engagement. Overall, the project benefited approximately 70–80 people, helping to reduce isolation, promote healthier lifestyles and build stronger community connections.

Reading Golders Luncheon Club

Awarded: £5,000 to support weekly activities and meals for older adults from Caribbean communities in Reading.

How it was used: The funding enabled the delivery of regular lunch sessions, cultural activities, day trips and gentle exercise, helping to reduce loneliness and promote wellbeing.

Result: The club supported between 40–60 people weekly, with up to 80–90 attending special events, creating a strong sense of community, improving social connections and enhancing participants’ physical and mental wellbeing.

Reading Ukrainian Community Centre – Library

Awarded: £2,000 to sustain and expand the Reading Ukrainian Library, a volunteer led community resource supporting displaced Ukrainians and the wider Reading community.

How it was used: The funding helped cover essential running costs, volunteer support and cultural activities, enabling the library to grow its collection from 700 to over 1,200 books and expand membership from 181 to 307 registered readers, including children and families.

Result: The project also delivered a programme of cultural events, author talks and exhibitions, helping to reduce isolation, promote wellbeing and strengthen community cohesion while supporting a dedicated team of volunteer librarians.

Sadaka

Awarded: £5,000 to support vulnerable residents facing increased hardship due to the rising cost of living.

How it was used: The funding enabled the provision of additional hot meals, food parcels and essential items, as well as support during key cultural festivals.

Result: Over 1,100 extra meals were delivered and 315 people benefited, including families and women in refuges, helping to reduce food insecurity, alleviate crisis pressures and promote dignity and social inclusion within the community.

South Reading Over 50s Social Club

Awarded: £3,330 to provide social opportunities and weekly meals for vulnerable older people in Whitley Wood and South Reading.

How it was used: The funding enabled regular lunch sessions, social activities and outings, helping to reduce isolation and improve wellbeing.

Result: 36 members benefited from consistent support, improved access to nutritious meals and increased confidence, with many developing stronger social connections and enjoying regular opportunities to engage with their community.

Southcote Community Association

Awarded: £5,000 to relaunch the Southcote Echo newsletter and deliver community engagement activities across Southcote.

How it was used: The funding supported the production and distribution of printed newsletters, community events, promotional materials and equipment for outdoor activities.

Result: Three editions of the newsletter were produced and distributed to over 4,000 households, helping residents access information about local services, events and neighbourhood developments. The project also supported community events and strengthened local engagement, helping bring residents together and raise awareness of activities and services available in Southcote.

Stepping Forward

Awarded: £3,900 to provide benefits advice and support to disabled people and carers in Reading.

How was it used: The funding contributed to a dedicated Advice Worker, enabling delivery of tailored support sessions to help individuals access the benefits they are entitled to.

Result: 51 people were supported through 72 appointments, with many receiving significant financial awards and improved access to support, helping to enhance their financial stability, independence and overall wellbeing.

The Engine Shed

Awarded: £4,210 to establish the “Little Engines” group for pre-school children on the autistic pathway and their families in Reading.

How was it used: The funding enabled the creation of a safe, supportive environment with specialist resources, regular sessions and tailored support.

Result: 36 children and their parents benefited, building confidence, reducing isolation and creating a strong support network for families at an early stage of their autism journey, with the project now continuing through secured future funding.

The Forgotten British Gurkha Veterans Charity

Awarded: £4,710 to support the physical and mental wellbeing of elderly and vulnerable Gurkha veterans, their families, widows and disabled members in Reading.

How it was used: The funding enabled the delivery of regular exercise sessions, nutrition workshops and outdoor gardening activities, helping to reduce isolation and promote healthier lifestyles.

Result: More than 300 people benefited, with participants reporting improved wellbeing, stronger community connections and increased confidence in maintaining healthy daily routines.

The Rising Sun Arts Centre

Awarded: £5,000 to deliver a dressmaking project supporting refugees and asylum seekers in Reading.

How was it used: The funding enabled the provision of training, materials and travel support, creating a safe and inclusive space for participants to learn skills and build confidence.

Result: 16 individuals took part across 276 attendances, gaining practical sewing skills, forming friendships and becoming more connected to the wider community, while reducing isolation and supporting social integration.

WhitArts Community Group

Awarded: £4,000 to deliver the “Seeding, Feeding and Rewilding the Ding!” project, supporting residents to learn how to build low-cost raised beds and grow food at home.

How it was used: The funding enabled the delivery of 11 practical, hands-on workshops across community venues in South Reading, combining food growing, creative activities and environmental learning.

Result: The project engaged 153 residents (71 adults and 82 children), helping to improve wellbeing, encourage healthier eating, increase biodiversity and strengthen community connections, with strong ongoing demand for further workshops.

Wild Tilehurst

Awarded: £1,690 to support the continuation and growth of their community nature activities.

How it was used: The funding enabled the organisation to maintain essential public liability insurance and website communications, and to purchase bat detectors to independently run wildlife events.

Result: Wild Tilehurst successfully delivered multiple nature walks, bat walks, children’s craft activities and a community Nature Fair, engaging over 250 residents, including families and children, while strengthening local partnerships and ensuring future sustainability of free community events.