Community organisations across South Oxfordshire can now access grants of up to £1,000 through a new scheme designed to boost local activity and wellbeing.

The Everyone Active initiative launches on Monday, March 30, and aims to help groups in the district encourage residents to become more active while supporting their mental and physical health. The programme has a total budget of £50,000.

Georgina Heritage, the district council’s cabinet member responsible for communities, expressed enthusiasm about the scheme, saying it is genuinely benefiting local projects and that it is gratifying to see funding supporting organisations that improve residents’ mental and physical wellbeing. She noted that even modest grants can make a substantial difference, enabling projects that encourage people to stay active and socialise. The council is delighted to provide this assistance and observe the positive outcomes it generates.

Among those who previously received funding were the Friends of Ewelme School and Benson Community Gardens, which directed their grants towards sports equipment and outdoor garden items respectively.

Stephanie Pereira from the Friends of Ewelme School reported that pupils at Ewelme Primary School have spent many hours playing actively on the new sports equipment purchased with the council’s grant.

Richard Hess from Benson Community Gardens observed that numerous residents have expressed how much they value the new table and benches, describing it as a peaceful place to sit and enjoy the fresh air and tranquil setting.

Organisations seeking funding must show how their proposals will help communities increase or maintain activity levels. Acceptable uses include purchasing sports or playground equipment, launching or expanding physical activity programmes, providing volunteer or staff training focused on wellbeing, or creating community gardens.

A wide variety of groups within the district can apply, such as charities, sports clubs, town and parish councils, non-profit preschools, PTAs, and schools or academies for optional educational activities.

The programme will shut down either when all money has been allocated or at midday on Friday, May 22.

Further information is available on the council’s website, or organisations can contact the Community Enablement team on 01235 422405 or by emailing grants@southandvale.gov.uk.

This represents one of several community grant schemes operating this year, with the council having allocated more than £1.5 million in Community Grants within its 2026/27 financial plan.

Local groups can also attend two upcoming informal sessions to learn more about the programme and how to apply.

Details about these events can be found at southoxon.gov.uk/grants.