Local Government Reorganisation to Bring Changes to Berkshire

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Recent Government announcements have confirmed that local government structures in Berkshire will change from 2028 as part of ongoing local government reorganisation plans.

Under the proposals, West Berkshire will join with most of South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse to form a new unitary authority, known as Ridgeway Council. Local government arrangements across the rest of Berkshire will remain unchanged for now, although options for further reform continue to be explored.

The creation of Ridgeway Council will lead to significant changes in how public services are delivered across the area. As a result, voluntary and community organisations may experience a period of transition and uncertainty as they begin to establish relationships with the new authority and adapt to evolving arrangements.

Throughout this process, Connecting Communities in Berkshire (CCB) will work closely with partners across Berkshire and Oxfordshire to help minimise disruption to the support available for local charities, community groups, and volunteers. A key priority will be ensuring that the voluntary and community sector is actively involved in shaping future arrangements from the outset.

CCB and its partners will also remain in regular contact with officers and representatives from the existing local authorities throughout the transition. This engagement will help ensure that the voice of the charitable sector, and the needs of the communities and beneficiaries it serves, are fully considered during the development of the new authority.

While the reorganisation brings understandable uncertainty, particularly for staff and elected members within the current councils, it also presents an opportunity to rethink how services are delivered and how organisations work together. CCB believes the formation of Ridgeway Council could create new opportunities for collaboration between the public, voluntary, community, and other sectors, helping to build stronger partnerships and more effective services for local residents.

CCB will continue to keep organisations and communities informed as further details emerge.

For any questions or concerns about the reorganisation and its potential impact on the voluntary and community sector, please contact Tim Parry at:
📧 Tim.Parry@ccberks.org.uk

Help MOVEability Expand Support Across West Berkshire

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We are supporting MOVEability with a funding appeal on The Good Exchange to help bring inclusive exercise and social opportunities to more people across West Berkshire.

Every week, MOVEability provides welcoming spaces where people who may otherwise feel isolated can come together to move, connect and belong. For many participants, these sessions are much more than an exercise class. They are a vital source of social interaction, improved physical and mental wellbeing, and a valued part of their weekly routine.

The project will deliver a year-long programme of seated exercise classes and social cafés across West Berkshire. Funding will enable MOVEability to continue weekly sessions in Lambourn and Newbury, while launching two new classes in Hungerford and Aldermaston using community venues supported by CCB.

Designed for older adults, people with limited mobility, long-term health conditions, or those experiencing loneliness and isolation, each session combines professionally led seated exercise with time to socialise, build friendships and access peer support.

This successful model has already made a positive difference through established classes in Chieveley, Hermitage and Thatcham, helping participants stay active, connected and independent.

You can support our funding appeal through The Good Exchange and help ensure more people across West Berkshire can access these valuable community sessions. Click here.

New Tool Helps Communities Understand Affordable Housing Challenges

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A new mapping tool is helping to shine a light on the future of rural affordable housing in Berkshire by identifying socially rented homes with the lowest Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings.

Housing associations across the country are facing significant challenges in meeting the cost of retrofitting older properties to bring them up to current regulatory standards. In some cases, they have little choice but to sell homes and reinvest the proceeds in new developments elsewhere, often outside the village or parish where those properties are located.

At the same time, rural communities are experiencing growing demand for affordable housing, while also seeing affordable rented homes lost through property sales by housing associations.

To help inform discussion and support long-term planning, CCB has created the first map of its kind for Berkshire. The map identifies socially rented homes with the poorest EPC ratings at parish level, based on their most recent EPC assessment.

EPC scores are an imperfect but useful indicator of a home’s condition, and evidence suggests that properties with the lowest ratings are among those most likely to be considered for disposal by housing associations. As EPC certificates are publicly available, it is possible to identify both the ratings and locations of socially rented homes.

It is important to note that housing associations cannot sell a property while it is occupied by a tenant, so no individual household is at risk. However, maintaining affordable housing supply is about more than meeting current need. It is also about ensuring a long-term stock of homes and retaining a mix of housing tenures and property types within rural communities.

By mapping these properties, parish councils, residents and other stakeholders can gain a clearer understanding of affordable housing provision in their area and ask an important question: what will happen to these homes in the long term?

CCB believes that sharing information and working collaboratively across the housing, planning and community sectors is essential if we are to find effective, long-term solutions to these challenges. Drop our Rural Housing Enabler Maria a line if you would like to know more: Maria.Kelly@ccberks.org.uk

View the map for Reading West & Mid Berkshire here:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1CmvrdqPbpiMzGv-TN_IrpdFiUbVIjUA&usp=sharing

Funding Opportunities in August

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Click on headers for further information.

The Souter Charitable Trust

About Us: The trust supports projects for the relief of human suffering in the UK and overseas.
Criteria: UK-registered charities that work to reduce hardship and improve people’s lives in the UK and overseas. The Trust particularly supports organisations guided by Christian values, although charities without a Christian focus are also welcome to apply.
Grant Size: £1,000 to £3,000
Deadline for Applications: 13th August 2026

B&Q Foundation

About Us: The B&Q Foundation supports UK charities working to improve the lives of people in need by funding projects that make homes safe, welcoming, and comfortable. We provide grants for essential home improvements and home starter kits—helping individuals and families facing homelessness, domestic abuse, disabilities, illness, or financial hardship to feel more settled and supported in their living spaces.
Criteria: To UK registered charities for projects that improve homes and accommodation, or provide home-starter kits, for people in need.
Grant Size: up to £10,000
Deadline for Applications: Opens 20th July 2026 and closes 14th August 2026

Delamere Dairy Foundation

About Us: An independent, self-governing registered charity in Great Britain that provides financial assistance and grants to support local communities.
Criteria: For charities and other not-for-profit organisations working in England, Scotland and Wales. Funding supports projects that benefit communities by advancing agriculture and environmental protection, improving opportunities for young people, promoting education, and helping to reduce financial hardship and illness.
Grant Size: £1,000 up to £5,000
Deadline for Applications: 14th August 2026

King Charles III Charitable Fund

About Us: A major grant-making organization in the UK that supports environmental conservation, education, health, and social inclusion.
Criteria: UK registered not-for-profit organisations with an annual income of between £25,000 and £500,000 can apply for small grants for up to three years.

The next round is focused on projects working across the following two themes:

Heritage and conservation – the preservation of historic and culturally important buildings and traditional craftmanship, together with the sustainable regeneration of communities and the built environment across the globe.
Education – supporting education, training and employability opportunities through which young people and adults can fulfil their potential.
Grant Size: up to £3,000
Deadline for Applications: Opens 5th August 2026 and closes 19th August 2026

CHIP Community Chest

About Us: CHIP is a charity backed by CHIC that works with Local Employment Groups to help people who are distant from the workplace into employment.
Criteria: Eligible applicants include community groups, charities, social enterprises, Community Interest Companies, uniformed groups and sports clubs, among others.
Grant Size: up to £5,000
Deadline for Applications: 21st August 2026

Woodroffe Benton Foundation

About Us: A UK-registered charity that provides small grants to smaller charities, schools, and non-profit organisations.
Criteria: Eligibility: UK charities with annual income under £1 million; must provide services within the UK. Funding Themes: Relief of hardship; care for the elderly; education; environmental conservation.
Grant Size: £500–£2,500
Deadline for Applications: Opens 1st August 2026 and closes 31st August 2026

Hinrichsen Foundation

About Us: To support new, contemporary and experimental music.
Criteria: For charities and organisations across the UK to deliver music projects that focus on the performance, commissioning, or recording of contemporary music.
Grant Size: up to £3,000
Deadline for Applications: 1st September 2026

Thomas Wall Trust

About Us: The Trust offers grants for specific projects that improve communication skills for disadvantaged adults and supports NEET people into employment.
Criteria: Available to registered charities to support projects that equip people (18 or older in order) from disadvantaged groups with the communication skills necessary to gain employment. Priority will be given to projects that target people experiencing multiple deprivation or other groups facing major hurdles to employment, especially women, people with physical, mental, or learning disabilities, refugees and asylum seekers.
Grant Size: up to £5,000
Deadline for Applications: 11th September 2026
Website: https://www.thomaswalltrust.org.uk/grants-for-registered-charities-2-2/

The Adamson Trust

About Us: A small, independent, self-funded charitable organisation to assist with part funding of holidays or respite breaks for children aged between 2 years and 17 years who suffer from life limiting physical or mental health conditions.
Criteria: Individual families, groups of children, schools, organisations, and other registered charities can apply to the Adamson Trust for financial assistance towards the cost of holidays or respite breaks for disabled children with physical, mental, or emotional impairments. To be eligible, the child must be a UK resident and between the ages of 3 and 17. The Trust requires evidence of their disability or illness from a medical or social services professional. Grants from the Trust usually only cover a portion of the holiday expenses.
Grant Size: £250
Deadline for Applications: 30th September 2026

Veterans’ Foundation Small Grants programme

About Us: The Veterans’ Foundation provides grants to eligible organisations that provide assistance to serving and former members of the armed forces community, operational qualified seafarers and their immediate families.
Criteria: The programme is aimed mainly at small grassroots groups delivering community-based support, particularly those with low to medium income and those that have not previously received Veterans’ Foundation funding. Funding can support work addressing needs such as homelessness, employability, financial disadvantage, disability, welfare, mental health, family support and support in older age.
Grant Size: £500 to £5,000
Deadline for Applications: 30th September 2026

Wooden Spoon Grants

About Us: The charity funds projects that help disabled or disadvantaged children and youth under age 25.
Criteria: Schools, charities, and not-for-profit organisations in the UK can apply for Wooden Spoon Society Grants to support equipment for mentally, physically, and socially disadvantaged children.
Grant Size: under £5,000
Deadline for Applications: Rolling programme

The National Archives

About Us: The National Archives has opened applications for its Engagement Grants programme. This year’s theme is “Belonging”, supporting projects that use archives to help people and communities understand their place in shared histories, identities, and local life, while fostering connection, inclusion, and pride.
Criteria: Projects must use archives housed in museums, local authorities, universities, charities, community organisations, or similar institutions. Eligible costs include exhibitions, events, online or digital engagement, materials, staff time, travel and subsistence, and materials or software.
Grant Size: Up to £3,000
Deadline for Applications: 14th August 2026

Berkshire Community Foundation – Priority Grants

Funder: Berkshire Community Foundation (BCF). Programme: Priority Grants Round 2026. Funding available: Grants of up to £10,000.

Application window: 29 June – 13 August 2026.Who can apply: Charities, community groups and voluntary organisations delivering projects that benefit Berkshire residents and address local disadvantage and inequality.

Priority Theme 1 – Safety and Protection:

  • Domestic abuse and violence
  • Sexual exploitation and safeguarding
  • Trauma-informed support and crisis intervention
  • Safe accommodation and advocacy services
  • Prevention, education and early intervention

Priority Theme 2 – Homelessness and Basic Needs:

  • Homelessness prevention and support.
  • Poverty reduction and financial resilience
  • Access to food, essential goods and emergency support
  • Support for families facing multiple disadvantages
  • Child and young people’s poverty and wellbeing

Assessment priorities:

  • Strength of alignment with the priority themes
  • Evidence of local need
  • Measurable outcomes and impact
  • Readiness to deliver
  • Level of disadvantage being addressed

Not eligible if:

  • Applying for retrospective funding
  • Holding more than 12 months’ unrestricted reserves
  • Annual operating budget exceeds £2 million
  • Seeking funding for large capital projects
  • Applying as an individual

Application process: Completion of an eligibility quiz followed by an online application form and supporting documents.

Berkshire Community Foundation’s Priority Grants Round 2026 provides grants of up to £10,000 to support charities and community organisations tackling some of Berkshire’s most pressing social challenges. This year’s programme focuses on two key themes: Safety and Protection and Homelessness and Basic Needs, funding projects that support vulnerable people experiencing issues such as domestic abuse, exploitation, homelessness, poverty and financial hardship. BCF is seeking applications from organisations that can clearly evidence local need, deliver measurable impact and improve outcomes for disadvantaged residents across Berkshire. The programme offers an opportunity for local organisations to secure funding for projects that strengthen community resilience and provide vital support to those most in need.

Apply now for up to £1k through Veolia’s Sustainability Fund

Veolia, the UK’s leading resource management company, has launched this year’s Sustainability Fund.

The Sustainability Fund provides grants of up to £1,000 to connect people with their local environment and community.

Veolia works in partnership with West Berkshire Council in the treatment of recycling and waste disposal across the county.

The Sustainability Fund has reopened for 2026, following the Fund’s biggest year yet in 2025 with six projects being given a total of £6,000 funding across the county. This brings the total number of projects funded, since 2022, to 21 and £21,000 awarded.
Veolia’s Sustainability Fund is open to not-for-profit organisations, community groups, or individuals in areas where the company delivers recycling and waste treatment services for the community. Up to £1,000 in funding is available per project.
Funding criteria
The Sustainability Fund welcomes applications from a wide range of environmental and social projects. Projects should meet at least one of the following criteria:
● Enhances biodiversity
● Promotes sustainable waste behaviours
● Protects the environment by using recycled, reused or reclaimed materials.
● Strengthens and connects local communities, including but not limited to employment support programmes, rehabilitation projects and youth development initiatives
All projects will be assessed on merit, with particular recognition given to those that demonstrate long-term or ongoing community benefits.
How to apply
Applications can be made via Veolia’s website at veolia.co.uk/Sustainability-Fund.
Deadline for applications
The fund will be open for applications until Wednesday 30 September.

Heritage Crafts – Endangered Crafts Fund

About Us: Heritage Crafts supports traditional and heritage craft skills in the UK. Its Endangered Crafts Fund provides small grants to help protect crafts at risk of disappearing.
Criteria: Open to craft practitioners and organisations in the UK.
The craft must be listed as Endangered or Critically Endangered on the current Heritage Crafts Red List.
Projects can support the long-term survival of crafts, skills transfer, apprenticeships, training, equipment, business development and new routes to market.
Grant Size: Up to £2,500
Deadline for Applications: 5pm, Friday 16 October 2026.

Aldi Sport Fund – England and Wales

A limited number of one-off grants are available for local sports clubs across England and Wales to support work in their local community.

Applications deadline – 31 August 2026

Berkshire Historic Churches Trust

Grants are available for Christian churches of any denomination in Berkshire to support the cost of building repairs.

Applications can be submitted at any time.

Aviva Foundation – Financial Futures Fund

Grants are available for not-for-profit organisations in the UK that are delivering bold, long-term solutions to help people build financial resilience.

Applications deadline: The deadline for applications to round two is 7 October 2026.

Rewilding Britain – Rewilding Innovation Fund

Grants are available to boost locally led land and marine nature recovery projects across Britain.

Applications deadline: 5 September 2026.

Bernard Sunley Foundation

  • Funder: Bernard Sunley Foundation.
  • Purpose: To support capital projects that improve quality of life and create lasting benefits for communities across England and Wales.
  • Funding available:
    • Small Grants: Up to £5,000
    • Medium Grants: Up to £20,000
    • Large Grants: £25,000 and above
  • Who can apply: Charities and charitable organisations with an annual income of under £10 million.
  • Geographical area: England and Wales.
  • Funding themes:
    • Community
    • Education
    • Health
    • Social Welfare
  • What can be funded:
    • New buildings and extensions
    • Major refurbishments
    • Essential equipment
    • Vehicles and transport
    • Improvements to community facilities and service delivery spaces
  • Project size: Eligible capital projects should typically have a total value between £10,000 and £5 million.
  • Examples of supported projects:
    • Community centres and hubs
    • Special educational facilities
    • Hospices and healthcare buildings
    • Facilities supporting older people, disabled people, veterans, ex-offenders and vulnerable groups
    • Minibuses and other essential transport provision
  • What cannot be funded:
    • Core running costs
    • Salaries
    • Revenue costs
    • Feasibility studies
    • Non-capital expenditure
  • Application deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.
  • Decision timescale:
    • Small grants: typically within 3 months
    • Larger grants: up to 6 months depending on project size

The Bernard Sunley Foundation provides capital funding to charities and community organisations undertaking projects that create lasting improvements for the people they support. Grants are available for building projects, refurbishments, vehicles and essential equipment across the Foundation’s four funding areas: Community, Education, Health and Social Welfare. With funding ranging from small contributions of up to £5,000 through to major grants of £25,000 and above, the programme is particularly suitable for organisations seeking support for infrastructure projects that will enhance facilities, improve access to services and strengthen long-term community impact. The Foundation welcomes applications throughout the year and has a strong track record of supporting practical projects that deliver tangible benefits for disadvantaged and vulnerable people.


With thanks to Slough CVS, Wokingham & Bracknell Involve and Volunteer Centre West Berkshire for the information contained in this article.

More Support for Rural Households Switching to Heat Pumps

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Thousands of rural households across England could now benefit from increased government support to make their homes warmer, greener and cheaper to heat.

The Government has announced that eligible households currently using heating oil can now receive up to £9,000 towards the cost of installing a heat pump through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, an increase from the previous £7,500 grant.

Heat pumps use electricity and renewable energy from the air or ground to provide heating and hot water, offering a cleaner alternative to traditional oil heating systems. The increased grant is designed to help more households make the switch to low-carbon heating and reduce their reliance on volatile fossil fuel prices.

Eligible households will receive information directly about the funding available and how to apply over the coming weeks.

Martin McCluskey MP, Minister for Energy Consumers, said the enhanced support will help more families transition to clean heating while reducing exposure to fluctuating fuel costs.

The announcement is particularly significant for rural communities, where many homes are not connected to the gas grid and rely on heating oil or LPG. These households have often faced some of the highest and most unpredictable energy costs in recent years.

As part of the ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England) network, Connecting Communities in Berkshire (CCB) welcomes measures that recognise the unique challenges faced by rural households. ACRE has consistently advocated for targeted support to help rural communities transition to net zero while ensuring homes remain affordable to heat.

We encourage residents to explore the support available and consider whether a heat pump could be suitable for their home.

For more information, visit: https://cleanenergy.campaign.gov.uk/