Cost of Living Support Grant

As part of Hart’s Cost of Living response and in line with our corporate priorities, we are again running a support scheme with a total of £50,000 available. This grant is aimed at local agencies which provide help and support to individuals and families most in need.

Applications run from 6 October through to 7 November 2025 with awards of up to £5,000 per organisation paid w/c 1 December. Assessments will be carried out by members of the Communities Project team.

Organisations within the district boundary which may apply include (but not limited to):

• foodbanks / food clubs / food pantries
• community projects supporting vulnerable residents
• organisations that promote cookery skills on a budget
• family support / supporting families
• care organisations

We anticipate the funding being used for such things as:

• cookery classes
• self-help skills projects
• money management / budgeting courses
• winter school holiday programmes
• health and wellbeing initiatives

This is not an exhaustive list.

If you would like to speak to someone about this grant opportunity or wish to request an application form, please email hereforhart@hart.gov.uk

Before applying, please see our Cost of Living Support Scheme privacy notice.

Scoring criteria

• impact – demonstrating how well the funding requested will be used to achieve the greatest outcomes. To also assess if expenditure is realistic for project size and location.
• benefit to the community – demonstrating increased standards of living and wellbeing for residents in the district.
• target demographic recipients - demonstrating the need within the Hart community and how funds will be used to benefit our residents

Projects supported from previous funding:

• Yateley and District Lions – provision of Christmas food parcels, hygiene care packages, gifts for the elderly, activities and entertainment for those with dementia, cooking on a budget workshops, reducing food waste initiative, gardening projects / food vouchers during the school holidays.
  Awarded £5,000
   
• Citizens Advice Hart - providing emergency food parcels, poverty packs and printed information leaflets along with financial capability assessments.
  Awarded £4,722
   
• Darby Green Community Hub - extension of community warm space and providing six workshops for women aged 18-30 years from Yateley, Darby Green, Blackwater and surroundings. 
  Awarded £2,800
   
• Fleet Phoenix Open Door Project - providing support, welfare and hygiene products to those most in need.
  Awarded £5,000
   
• Hart Community Garden (Hart Voluntary Action) - providing a social and wellbeing space over the winter months to help people look after their mental health and wellbeing.
  Awarded £4,500
   
• Junction 5, Hook - budgeting and money management support to enable clients to make long-term changes to their spending habits and stay out of debt to ease the pressures of the cost of living over the winter months and beyond.
  Awarded £2,750
   
• St Mary’s Church, Eversley - build a recognised centre that nurtures and promotes the community by offering a safe, welcoming environment.
  Awarded £2,443.75
   
• St Peter’s Church Youth Cafe - providing a safe and warm space for young people to meet and receive support.
  Awarded £450
   
• The Friendship Group, Heckfield - providing a safe space to address isolation and improve wellbeing while supporting individuals with support from external agencies.
  Awarded £1,500
   
• Yateley Industries - extension of the warm space and community café, providing subsidised food and drink to pantry members over the winter months to ensure they have access to hot food and drink, and reduce isolation.
  Awarded £3,500