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Capital grant scheme now open to improve quality of life in South Oxfordshire  

The Capital Grant funding scheme, run by South Oxfordshire District Council, is now open for applications up to £75,000 to help improve the quality of life of local people. 

The grant gives organisations a financial boost towards capital expenditure such as making improvements to buildings or play areas.  

Organisations eligible to apply are town and parish councils, non-profit businesses, Community Interest Companies and community-based organisations.  

Applicants must show how their projects will help improve the quality of life for people in South Oxfordshire through projects that; support thriving, healthy and inclusive communities, provide infrastructure that meets local need, that take action on climate change and nature recovery, and improve participation, accessibility and accountability.   

Cllr Georgina Heritage, Cabinet Member for Communities at South Oxfordshire District Council said: “The Capital Grant Scheme has such a huge scope to help organisations fund large projects they may not otherwise be able to afford. We encourage our local voluntary sector and town and parish councils to grasp this funding opportunity to help bring impactful projects to life. 

“It’s wonderful to see the results of the funding from previous grant rounds and hard work from organisations who are bringing projects to life, now benefiting communities.” 

The 2024/25 round of the Capital Grant Scheme funded eight projects with a total of £202,908 funding awarded by the council. 

Projects funded included upgrading playgrounds, installing solar panels in community buildings and building works to extend an existing facility to create a new community café. 

Projects now completed from previous funding round in 2022/23 include the roof of a scout hut and an interactive and inclusive water play feature.  

Yvonne Peet, Trustee of Clifton Hampden and Burcot Scout Group said: “Clifton Hampden and Burcot Scouts is a thriving youth community group serving a wide catchment area of South Oxfordshire. 

“Central to this group is our scout hut, our home. This project has enabled us to secure the future of the group by ensuring we have a weather-proof, secure, well insulated roof protecting our scout hut for years to come. Thank you for your support.” 

Joe Kitchen, Chief Executive, The Thomley Hall Centre Ltd said: “The majority (70%) of the children with disabilities who visit Thomley have autism and accessing safe, water-based play is a particular challenge for them and their families. 

“In August 2024 we completed the installation of our new interactive water feature and opened it to our visitors, creating a safe, fun and accessible place where people with and without disabilities from South Oxfordshire can enjoy safe, water-based play.”  

The council has a total budget available of £320,000 to award for capital projects that take place in the district or within a three-mile radius of the district boundary.  

The Capital Grant Scheme closes at midday, on Friday 25 July 2025. 

Ends  

Notes for editors  

Applications are reviewed by the Community Enablement team and council members on the Community Grants Panel. Projects are awarded points which determines how much funding they will receive.