Community Infrastructure Support Service

Holistic support to strengthen local community and voluntary organisations

Rationale

Many residents face exclusion, which can be reduced through strong community-led support. Hastings’ voluntary sector is largely made up of small, under-resourced organisations. This intervention will improve their fundraising and operational skills, especially for groups in deprived areas or facing additional barriers (e.g. disability, language).

Without this support, Hastings risks losing funding to better-resourced areas. Infrastructure support is essential to level the playing field and foster collaboration.

Specification

The successful provider will deliver services that:

• Support voluntary/community groups to operate and grow
• Identify local needs and collaborate with agencies
• Build networks and partnerships
• Promote community cohesion
• Attract external funding (charitable, lottery, government)

Applicants must outline what the grant will fund, how services will be delivered, and how they complement existing provision. This grant is intended to enhance—not replace—current support.

Beneficiaries

Voluntary and community groups in Hastings and St Leonards.

Summary

This project supports local groups with advice, training, and connections to help them become stronger and more active in their communities. The aim is to build confident, well-informed groups that can make a real difference across the town.

It recognises that communities are best placed to understand and respond to their own needs. By supporting these groups, the service helps residents feel more included and connected.

Why It’s Needed

Some residents and communities in Hastings face exclusion. Supporting local groups helps tackle this by making services more inclusive and community-led.
Most local charities and groups are small and run by volunteers, often without the skills or resources to grow or secure funding. This puts Hastings at a disadvantage compared to other areas. This service will help level the playing field by offering practical support, especially to those in the most deprived areas or facing extra challenges (e.g. disability, language barriers).

What the Service Should Do

The successful provider will show how they’ll support and develop local groups. The service should:

• Help groups run effectively and grow
• Spot local needs and work with others to meet them
• Build networks and partnerships
• Encourage community cohesion
• Bring more external funding into Hastings

Applicants should explain what the grant will fund, how the service fits with existing support, and how it avoids duplication. This grant is meant to boost what’s already available - not replace it.

Eligibility

Registered charities, non-profit voluntary or community groups operating in Hastings and St Leonards can apply.

Funding

Funding runs from July 2026 to June 2028. There is £18,000 available for this project for 2026-27.

Only registered charities can apply.

Duration

April 2026 – March 2028

How It Should Be Delivered

Support should be easy to access, with outreach available where needed.

Measuring Success

Applicants should include clear targets and ways to measure impact, such as:

• Number of groups supported
• Number of workshops/courses and attendees
• Number of people reporting better mental health

Monitoring should cover both group-level and individual outcomes.