Council commits £1.2million to funding West Lancashire voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector

• 23 community projects will receive funding to empower our communities
• Funding will have a positive impact on the lives of residents across West Lancashire 

Community groups and third sector organisations across West Lancashire will be receiving a share of £1.2m from the Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

A total of 23 community projects will receive funding to empower our communities, supporting the Borough's key priorities and delivering services and facilities for residents across West Lancashire.

The funding comes from the Council’s Communities and Place strand of the UK Shared Prosperity Funding programme.

The funding was awarded to local Voluntary Community Faith & Social Enterprise organisations after a competitive bidding process. The bids received demonstrate the incredible number and range of innovative, inspiring and impactful services being delivered across the Borough, making a positive difference to the lives of residents and communities.

As part of the funding and bid process, building in sustainable infrastructure and partnership working were key elements the Council has tried to support. 

Councillor Rob Molloy, portfolio holder for Finance and Economic Regeneration said: “This is great news and congratulations to all the recipients who have put some great bids forward to empower our communities. We are proud to be funding mental health support for young people, addressing the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, creating new jobs and volunteer opportunities, and increasing physical activity provisions and facilities."

“I look forward to seeing the projects delivered and having a positive impact on the lives of local people. My thanks also to our council officers who have gone above and beyond to ensure this money gets out into our communities as soon as possible to start improving people’s lives.”

Some organisations were not awarded funding from this pot on this occasion as the number of bids far outweighed the amount of funding available. However, West Lancashire Borough Council is working to support those organisations in accessing alternative streams of funding both through the Council and externally. 

The organisations to receive an allocation of funding are as follows:

Artz for All CIC, Stable Lives, Divine Days CIC, The Sewing Rooms, Birchwood Crisis Centre, Burscough Farm CIC, Shares Lancashire, Volunteer It Yourself, West Lancashire Council for Voluntary Services, Lancashire Citizen's Advice Bureau, Banks Community and Leisure Centre CIC, Greenhill Community Hub, An All Inclusive Future CIC, SWLICAN (South West Lancs Independent Community Advice Network), Ormskirk West End FC, Skelmersdale Ecumenical Centre, Hesketh Bank and Tarleton Helpers, The Liberty Centre (West Lancs Women's Refuge Centre), Dial a Ride, Upholland Community Hub, Ormskirk School (Endeavour Learning), Sporting Challenge and Birch Green Amateur Boxing Club. 

This Communities and Place strand has received £1.2m from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit UK Shared Prosperity Fund: prospectus