Lee Valley announces £118,000 community funding pot

Custodian of the park, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, has set aside £118,000 to help groups over the next year overcome cost barriers and try activities that may inspire a love of a new sport or activity.

Applications for up to £1,000 in Community Access Funding (CAF) are invited from not-for-profit organisations, registered charities, voluntary and community groups supporting underserved communities in London, Essex and Hertfordshire.

The Authority’s Community Access Fund is available to cover the cost of expert coaching or transport to the park and since its launch in 2015, has enabled more than 30,000 people to enjoy new experiences in Lee Valley Regional Park.

Activities on offer in our world class sports venues include white water and paddle sports, track, road and BMX cycling, ice skating, athletics, horse riding, hockey and tennis. Schools with a 20%+ pupil premium can apply for funding for transport to take part in sessions with our Learning and Engagement team exploring our open spaces through guided lake and river walks, minibeast hunts, sustainability in action sessions, woodland crafts and mindfulness in the outdoors.

Groups looking to engage in longer term projects and initiatives that increase physical activity and achieve wider social benefits are encouraged to apply for Lee Valley’s Active Communities Grant Scheme. This scheme is designed to support organisations working with people and communities that are marginalised from society at a local level – whether that be a result of social, economic, or cultural reasons – and supports longer programmes that can drive change, encouraging ongoing physical activity across the park’s sports venues and 10,000 acres of green space.

Shaun Dawson, Chief Executive, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority said, “We know how vitally important it is for all communities across London, Essex and Herts to have access to the wide open spaces and the range of sport and leisure opportunities on offer in Lee Valley Regional Park. Part of our mission that frames what we do is to improve the health and wellbeing of communities across the region so our Community Access Fund and Active Communities Grant Scheme were created to help break down barriers for those people and groups who, for reasons of cost or circumstance, may not otherwise be able to visit Lee Valley Regional Park and take advantage of the fabulously diverse opportunities it offers.”

Lee Valley Regional Park stretches 26 miles from East India Dock Basin on the Thames, through east and north London to Ware in Hertfordshire. It’s tapestry of award-winning open spaces, historic sites and sport and leisure venues attract six million visitors a year.

For more information on the huge range of experiences available in Lee Valley Regional Park, funding criteria for the Community Access Fund and Active Communities Grant Scheme and details of how to apply please visit Community grants section on our website.