Ignite Your Community with the Supportive Communities Small Sparks Fund
This fund is now closed to applications for Lichfield District, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Cannock Chase, Stafford District and East Staffordshire activity, as the fund is now oversubscribed.
But we still have awards to make in Tamworth, South Staffordshire and Staffordshire Moorlands.
Do you have a brilliant idea that could bring your neighbours or community together, spark creativity, or make your local area a better place to live?
We’re excited to announce that funding is available from Staffordshire County Council through the new Supportive Communities Small Sparks Fund — and it’s ready to fuel your ideas!
This funding is all about empowering local people and groups to act on what matters most in their communities, reducing loneliness, connecting people with support or simply bringing neighbours together, this is your chance to apply for up to £500 today and make a real impact.
The Small Sparks scheme is designed to support new ideas, community-led projects that strengthen connections, involve new people or those who may be isolated, lonely or less involved in local activities and increase access to local support for people who live there
Whether you’re starting something new or breathing life into an existing project, Small Sparks is your chance to make it happen. We believe the best ideas come from the people who live and breathe their communities every day — you.
Purpose of the Fund
The Small Sparks Fund aims to:
- Encourage new groups, activities, or projects
- Support and expand existing community activity that addresses key priorities
- Tackle key priorities including:
- Reducing loneliness and isolation
- Improving physical and mental health and wellbeing
- Supporting mobility, keeping active, and reducing frailty
- Enhancing financial wellbeing and planning for later life
- Improving local knowledge about community activities and support available (especially for those who need it most)
- Creating accessible and inclusive community spaces and activities.
Who Can Apply?
New or existing groups, three or more people coming together including community champions plus voluntary, community and social enterprises (2 people if it’s a CIC) who want to form a new group to test an idea that fills a gap they’ve noticed or who want to offer support where something is missing, or to expand an existing service.
What Could Be Funded?
Here are some ideas the Small Sparks Fund could support:
- Starting a local club, group, or team
- Creating a community garden or shared space
- Hosting a neighbourhood event or intergenerational project
- Activities that help share local information about support and activities available
- Activities that promote volunteering or sharing skills
- Community baking/cooking sessions, art sessions, music events, or craft workshops
- Local clean-up days or walking groups
- Projects that help people stay safe online — like learning digital skills, spotting scams, or understanding online safety.
How to Apply
To apply, please click the button at the bottom of this page. your group will need to share:
- A short summary of your idea and what the funding will cover
- A simple cost breakdown
- Who it will help and how it will make a difference
- Info about your group (must be not for profit). Including named lead/s and at least 2 named ‘supporters’ who commit to helping to deliver the project.
- Proof of a bank account in your group’s name (If you don’t have one, we can help you explore other options)
- Later: a short evaluation with photos, feedback, outcomes and what you learned.
Project Steps:
Step 1: Shape Your Idea: Shape your idea – Think of a way to improve your community, speak to others for support (including your Locality Officer), and submit your funding request.
Step 2: Application Review: We’ll review your idea, get in touch to discuss it, and let you know if any checks are needed.
Step 3: Make It Happen: Once approved, you’ll receive funding to start delivering your activity or project. Time to bring your idea to life!
Step 4: Check-In & Support: We’ll see how things are going and help if you need support.
Step 5: Share Your Story: Share a few words about your project, how you used the money, who joined in, what went well and what you would do differently next time. Add some photos or a video (with permission)-
Step 6: Celebrate Your Success! You’ve made a difference — now let’s celebrate!
Important Info
- All projects must be completed and reported on/before 31st March 2027. The fund is open on a rolling basis until all the funding has been allocated
- Funding is available for reasonable core costs (such as venue hire, volunteer expenses, staffing, resources and refreshments)
- Funding is only allocated once all checks are complete
- Groups will need to confirm they have appropriate risk assessments, insurance, health and safety, DBS and safeguarding procedures in place for their activity. If there are any queries, we may ask for more details and speak with your Locality Officer
- Payments are made by bank transfer — not to personal accounts
If your group doesn’t have a bank account, then please contact us as soon as possible to discuss - Projects must be delivered within Staffordshire County Council boundaries and be open and welcoming to the local community
- Open to Parish councils and schools – only if delivering added value non-statutory activity which involves the local community
- Funded activities should be delivering to residents over 18 years but can include whole community/family activity (provided appropriate risk assessments, health and safety and safeguarding procedures are in place).
- The funding cannot be used for:
- any projects with political or religious agendas
- any statutory duties or activities
- any activities benefitting for-profit businesses
- any unlawful activities
This fund is now closed to applications for Cannock Chase, Stafford District and East Staffordshire activity, as the fund is now oversubscribed. But we still have awards to make in Tamworth, Lichfield District, South Staffordshire, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire Moorlands.
If you need any extra help with your application or have any questions, please get in touch with your Locality Officer:
Anne Saxon – South Staffordshire: Anne.saxon@supportstaffordshire.org.uk
Philippa Godding – Stafford: Philippa.Godding@supportstaffordshire.org.uk
Caroline Davis – Cannock Chase District: Caroline.Davis@supportstaffordshire.org.uk
Claire Ferris – Tamworth: Claire.ferris@supportstaffordshire.org.uk
Nicola Bannister – Lichfield District: Nicola.bannister@supportstaffordshire.org.uk
Sharon Wright – East Staffordshire: Sharon.Wright@supportstaffordshire.org.uk
Jamie Wells – Newcastle: Jamie.wells@supportstaffordshire.org.uk
Emma Ford – Staffordshire Moorlands: Emma.Ford@supportstaffordshire.org.uk