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Communities invited to get moving with Everyone Active Grant 

Published 26 March 2026

Local community groups are invited to apply for funding to help residents across South Oxfordshire be more active, improve their health, and enjoy new wellbeing activities. 

The Everyone Active grant scheme opens on Monday 30 March, with a total of £50,000 available. Organisations can apply for grants of up to £1,000 to support projects that make a real difference to the physical and mental wellbeing of residents in the district.

Cllr Georgina Heritage, Cabinet Member for Communities at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “This is a fantastic grant that is really helping projects in our communities. It’s great to see funding going directly to local groups who are improving the mental and physical wellbeing of our residents. 

“Even small grants like this can have a big impact, helping to fund projects that encourage people to be active and spend time together. We’re very proud to provide this support and to see the positive difference it is making.”

Previous recipients, include Friends of Ewelme School and Benson Community Gardens. They used their grant to buy sports equipment and add tables and chairs to their community garden, creating spaces where people can be active, spend time together and enjoy a quiet outdoor space.

Stephanie Pereira at Friends of Ewelme School, said: “The children at Ewelme Primary School have had hours of active fun on the new sports equipment purchased using the generous grant from South Oxfordshire District Council!”

Richard Hess at Benson Community Gardens, said: “A number of people have commented to us on how much they have appreciated the new table and benches – providing a quiet place where they can sit and enjoy the fresh air and peaceful environment.”

South Oxfordshire District Council is providing £50,000 in funding, with a maximum grant of £1,000 for each project.

Applicants will need to show that their projects will help communities to become more active or sustain activity. 

The funding can be used in a variety of ways including:  

  • Buying new leisure or playground equipment  
  • Projects to introduce or improve physical activity  
  • Running training courses for volunteers or staff to help improve physical and mental wellbeing  
  • Setting up a community garden to share the physical and health benefits of growing fruit and vegetables   

The scheme is open to a wide range of groups and organisations in the district, not-for-profit groups (including sports clubs), town and parish councils and parish meetings, not for profit preschools, Parent Teacher Association’s (PTAs) and other local authority run schools or academies for non-statutory elements of the education programme. 

The grant scheme will close once all the budget has been spent, or at midday on 

Friday 22 May, whichever is sooner. More information can be found on the council’s website or organisations can contact the Community Enablement team on  01235 422405 or email grants@southandvale.gov.uk with any questions about the grant and application process. 

This grant is one of several community grant schemes available over the coming year, with South Oxfordshire District Council approving more than £1.5 million in Community Grants in its 2026/27 budget.

There are also two drop-in events that community organisations can attend to find out more about the funding and how to apply. For more information about the upcoming drop-in events, visit southoxon.gov.uk/grants.

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