Newark and Sherwood District Council has helped deliver more than £5.7 million of investment into local communities, businesses, skills, green spaces, sports facilities and high streets through two major government-funded grant programmes.
Since 2022, the Council has delivered the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) programmes across Newark and Sherwood, supporting a wide range of projects designed to strengthen local places, help businesses grow, improve community facilities and create new opportunities for residents.
Across the lifetime of the programme, Newark and Sherwood District Council was awarded £4,636,193 through UKSPF and £1,158,785 through REPF, helping to fund projects that have reached more than 84,000 people, improved or created community spaces, supported hundreds of residents with skills and employment opportunities, and provided direct support to local businesses.
Councillor Claire Penny, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economic Development at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said:
These grants have made a real and lasting difference across Newark and Sherwood. From helping local businesses to grow and protect jobs, to improving community facilities, supporting young people, creating volunteering opportunities and investing in our green spaces, this funding has helped deliver projects that residents can see, use and benefit from.
What is especially positive is the breadth of support provided. These programmes have helped town centres, rural communities, sports clubs, community groups, businesses and residents of all ages. They show what can be achieved when funding is used locally, flexibly and in partnership with organisations who understand the needs of their communities.
Although the UKSPF and REPF programmes have now concluded, their legacy will continue through better facilities, stronger partnerships, new skills, safeguarded jobs and a strengthened pipeline of future projects for Newark and Sherwood.
Key achievements include:
- 34 grants awarded to community organisations, helping bring forward projects that improve local facilities and support community-led activity.
- 324 businesses receiving non-financial support to help them grow, sustain, develop or diversify.
- 35 jobs created and 95 jobs safeguarded through business support and investment.
- More than 1,500 volunteering opportunities undertaken by residents.
- More than 3,000 trees planted through local environmental projects.
- More than 280 people gaining a qualification, licence or completing a learning or training course.
- 367 economically inactive residents or young people not in education, employment or training receiving support to access employment, education or life skills.
Example projects supported through the funding include the redevelopment of Sherwood Avenue Play Park, the creation of the Sherwood Community Tree Nursery, town centre events, the creation of Boughton Community Hub, various improvements to local sports facilities and community venues across the district, a variety of skills and employment programmes for residents and specialist business advisory programmes.
Thorney St Helens Hub Charity received funding from the REPF towards the creation of a community hub within the rural village of Thorney. This has provided a flexible and much needed space for use by various community groups and residents, helping tackle social isolation and access to opportunity within a rural area of the district.
Farnsfield Cricket Club also benefited from the REPF, receiving funding towards the purchase and installation of new cricket nets at their site to enhance the Clubs capacity and offer within the community. Gail Frettingham, Head of Women’s and Girls’ Section at Farnsfield Cricket Club, said:
Farnsfield Cricket Club’s funding through the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) has enabled us to invest in brand-new cricket nets, and I can say, without fear of contradiction, that they have been vital to the provision of appropriate training for the women and girls at the club.
As Head of the Women’s and Girls’ Section at Farnsfield, I have seen the section grow significantly this season. The new, state-of-the-art nets have ensured that all our members have sufficient opportunities to bat and bowl during training, while also allowing both softball and hardball formats to be delivered safely at the same time.
The enclosed nets have also made a real difference to the club’s capacity. Training can continue even when a match is taking place at Station Lane, helping us make the most of our facilities and easing the capacity pressures that come with being a growing club.
The new nets are a superb addition to Farnsfield Cricket Club and are already greatly appreciated by our players. Most importantly, they are helping us provide a better, safer and more inclusive training environment for the women and girls who are such an important part of our club’s future.
The success of the programmes also places the Council in a strong position to respond to future funding opportunities, building on the experience, partnerships and resources developed through UKSPF and REPF delivery.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund has provided £25.17 million of funding for local investment across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire in 2025/26. This funding, distributed by the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), aims to boost pride in place and increase life chances in the region. The investment focussed on supporting communities and businesses, as well as developing skills for individuals.
