Fantastic four groups win latest KCOM grants

Four fantastic local groups promoting reading, dancing and beekeeping – and one bringing a  touch of the Chelsea Flower Show to Hull - have all benefitted from the latest KCOM Community Grants.

The quarterly grants, which give up to £1,000 to groups helping to improve local lives, have been announced with Anlaby Park Community Library, Goole’s Men In Sheds, Hull’s Neighbourhood Network and Movement To Music CIC named as winners.

Louise Babych, KCOM’s Community Impact Partner, said: “Once again we had dozens of great applications for our Community Grants making it incredibly difficult to pick just four winners.

“But the four groups chosen by our judging panel all do amazing work to create lifechanging opportunities across the KCOM region. We’re really looking forward to seeing their projects come to fruition and making real tangible differences to people’s lives.”

The first winner, the Neighbourhood Network (NN) will be using its grant to bring a touch of the Chelsea Flower show to Hull’s Bransholme estate. This summer the NN’s community centre was chosen as the relocation venue for Songbird Survival’s 2025 RHS Chelsea Flower Show Garden. The Community Grant will now help fund further development to the garden, creating an outdoor play area for youngsters.

Sarah Weichardt, NN Manager, said: "We’re now focused on unlocking the full potential of our outdoor space - creating a welcoming environment where children can play, families can connect with nature, and residents of all ages can take part in hands-on conservation activities.

"Thanks to the support of the KCOM Community Grant, the addition of playground markings on the tarmac area will provide an exciting draw for younger children, encouraging them into the garden and inspiring them to explore and engage with the space."

Anlaby Park Community Library will use its £600 grant to buy monitors to keep library users informed.

Manager Steve Ashton said: “This will enable us to enhance communication regarding the daily services provided by the charity at the library, deliver news updates on recent events, and, importantly, promote upcoming special events.”

Hull’s Movement to Music CIC will spend its £500 grant buying new tech to help organise healthy lifestyle activities.

The group’s Rachel Rankin said: “We are very excited as this equipment will help us support more children and families and keep all data secure and safe. Thank you so much for picking us.”

Finally, in what is a first for KCOM Community Grants scheme, the cash will be used to help Goole’s Men in Sheds group to buy equipment for its beekeeping project – boosting local bio-diversity in the area.

Men In Sheds Chair Neil Begbie, said: “This funding will secure the future of Men in Sheds Goole by funding a shed for our apiary area along with more space to set aside a quiet sensory area for any member of the public to come along and use.”

Could your group benefit from a KCOM Community Grant? To find out more and apply for the next round of grants which will be announced in September click here.