Natural swimming pools, community composters, and a library of useful things are among the first Stroud Funding projects for people in the Stroud district to support.
Launched in September, Stroud Funding is a new crowdfunding platform that empowers community-led projects to raise funds locally and access a share of £100,000 from Stroud District Council (SDC). The first round of projects is now live and accepting pledges from £2 to help transform communities across the Stroud district.
Seventeen projects are now featured on the Stroud Funding microsite www.spacehive.com/movement/stroud Potential funders can read a project summary, breakdown of costs, photos, and a list of the pledges made to date. There are also sections where people can contribute `stuff or skills’ and leave comments.
Projects that align with the council’s priorities—such as those addressing environmental issues, climate change, or enhancing community resilience and wellbeing—could receive up to 50% of their crowdfunding target (a maximum of £10,000 from SDC’s fund).
Cllr Beki Aldam, Chair of SDC’s Community Services & Licensing Committee, said:
“There’s a huge variety of community projects that I would encourage everyone to read about and support if they are able.
“I hope the current projects provide inspiration for others who have ideas that will benefit people in their communities as we will launch a second round of projects and council funding in Spring next year.”
Misha Dhanak, CEO of Spacehive added:
We’ve been blown away by the diversity of projects coming from communities in Stroud. These brilliant initiatives highlight the creativity, determination, and ingenuity of Stroud’s residents as they look to create local solutions, strengthen community bonds, and build resilience. It’s inspiring to see how, with the support of Stroud District Council, residents can drive meaningful change, foster innovation, and enhance the wellbeing of their communities. We look forward to seeing these projects progress and the positive impact they’ll have on the area.
The Stroud Funding projects are:
The BATCOM Community Composters Build by BATCOM is seeking £24,120 to build a brand new site, where they will take green garden waste and turn it into beautiful compost for the community.
Cashes Green Community Hub is seeking £83,011 to continue bringing people from all walks of life together, reducing isolation and providing vital support and services to many people at little or no cost.
A new history trail for Minchinhampton by Minchinhampton History Group is seeking £3,735 to create a new, community inspired, interactive history trail in Minchinhampton to celebrate the town's unique past in collaboration with local businesses.
Learning Through Play in Minchinhampton by Minchinhampton Community Hub is seeking £19,761 to provide more activities, including youth club and baby and toddler sessions, for a diverse range of children and young people, many with additional needs.
Let's Create - Unstructured Creative Fun is seeking £13,659 to fund more pay-what-you-can play sessions in Stroud, where kids explore messy, unstructured creativity with recycled materials.
Little Hands on the Land by Common Soil Community Farm is seeking £1,964 to run regular facilitated sessions at Common Soil or Oakbrook community farm for people to bring young children where they can get involved in farming, and for connection to the land and each other.
Maternal Wellbeing Groups in Stroud by Stroud Motherhood Collective is seeking £21,248 to establish a series of therapeutically informed peer support groups for mothers in the Stroud district, incorporating creative and wellbeing practices.
New GL13 Community Hub & Library is seeking £21,894 to build a new community hub on the site of the old library in Berkeley. The purpose-built building will enable the delivery of community services and activities to support the physical and mental wellbeing of the community.
Natural Play Area in Brimscombe by Charlea Gardens is seeking £22,652 to create an amazing natural play area which stimulates imaginative play alongside an appreciation of the natural world in a three-acre greenfield site which has been saved from development in Brimscombe & Thrupp.
The Night Angels of Gloucestershire is seeking £11,432 to fund training, supplies and equipment for its Stroud team that patrol the streets at night, helping vulnerable women stay safe and providing a safe haven for women experiencing domestic violence.
Regeneration of Coaley Recreation Ground by Coaley Recreation Action Group is seeking £36,000 to build an all-weather accessible track around the perimeter of the recreation ground to ensure access to all areas and features and a plaza area.
Shine a Light at Under the Edge Arts is seeking £3,299 to replace its failed lighting so audiences can see the performers!
Stinchcombe Playground & Community Space is seeking £31,645 to create a new public space to improve mental and physical health for young people and adults. This will foster a greater community spirit by reducing isolation and improving mental well-being.
Stroud Boxing Club: Strength to Grow is seeking £11,402 to expand, creating a space that boosts mental and physical health, fosters youth engagement and promote positive conscious initiatives for a stronger, more resilient community.
Stroud Library of Things - Tool Share by Creative Sustainability is seeking £6,009 to make a variety of tools and equipment available at low cost for people to borrow. They want to inspire and support our community to spend less, waste less and share more.
Stroud Waters – a natural outdoor pool by Community Waters CIC is seeking £38,444 to fund a feasibility study to create a safe, natural, outdoor community pool in the Stroud locality for all year-round use. Surrounded by nature, the community would be encouraged to connect, swim, dip and play in the water.
Silvers & Carers Artistic Support Group by Imagine Therapeutic Arts is seeking £17,668 to run free, accessible art groups for adults and elderly people with memory problems or dementia and their care givers.
More details of all the Stroud Funding projects can be viewed, and pledges made, at https://www.spacehive.com/movement/stroud/projects
SDC has partnered with Spacehive, a platform dedicated to community fundraising used by local authorities across the UK. Spacehive has helped launch over 3,000 community-led projects and raised over £33 million to support local ideas.
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