• 6th May 2025

Third Round of Grant Funding – Building Wellbeing, Strengthening Community 

Third Round of Grant Funding – Building Wellbeing, Strengthening Community 

Third Round of Grant Funding – Building Wellbeing, Strengthening Community  1024 512 Chippenham Borough Lands Charity

We’re proud to announce the third and final round of grants awarded this financial year through our Grants for Organisations fund.

Below are the inspiring projects and organisations who have received our funding support:

Chippenham Counselling Rooms

Organisation: Help Counselling Services (HCS)
Amount: £9,000
Funding Type: 3-year project funding
Beneficiaries: Adults 19+, especially in deprived areas

This grant helps to expand affordable counselling in Chippenham East, offering up to 12 weeks of therapy for anxiety, trauma, and isolation. With capacity for 56 clients annually, the service works closely with mental health partners to ensure low wait times and high impact.

Outcomes: Accessible therapy · Improved mental health · Reduced inequality


Mental Health Support at Hardenhuish School

Organisation: Hardenhuish School
Amount: £30,000
Funding Type: 3-year core funding
Beneficiaries: Secondary pupils, especially disadvantaged

Two in-house counsellors will provide 1:1 mental health support for pupils facing anxiety, self-esteem issues, and family challenges. In a context of long waits for external help, this service meets high demand and provides a lifeline for students when they need it most.

Outcomes: Emotional wellbeing · Early intervention · Academic resilience


Fit-Out of FoodBox Storage

Organisation: St Peter’s Church (FoodBox Project)
Amount: £5,000
Funding Type: One-off capital funding
Beneficiaries: Adults and families of all ages, especially those isolated or in need

Our funding supports a new storage and packing space for FoodBox’s weekly delivery of food parcels to 115 local households. Entirely volunteer-run, with referrals from frontline agencies, the project meets growing need with dignity, care, and efficiency.

Outcomes: Food security · Volunteer empowerment · Crisis relief


ELSA Training for Pastoral Leads

Organisation: Sheldon School
Amount: £6,954
Funding Type: 1-year core funding
Beneficiaries: Secondary students (11–18), especially disadvantaged

Six staff will be trained in Emotional Literacy Support (ELSA) to boost emotional regulation and reduce pressure on external mental health services. Progress will be tracked through wellbeing questionnaires, supporting a culture of empathy and prevention.


Outcomes:
Resilient learners · Improved wellbeing · Stronger support systems


New Sound Mixing Desk

Organisation: Chippenham Hospital Radio
Amount: £2,820
Funding Type: One-off capital/event funding
Beneficiaries: Patients, staff, and wider community

A new sound desk will enhances the station’s outside broadcast quality at local events. Serving 7,000 monthly listeners, the station shares music, health info, and local voices, connecting community through sound and supporting mental wellbeing.

Outcomes: Community engagement · Creative expression · Wellbeing through music


Brass and Woodwind in Primary Schools

Organisation: Corsham Windband Association
Amount: £4,316
Funding Type: 1-year project
Beneficiaries: Primary children, especially disadvantaged

This project will bring free lessons, loaned instruments, and after-school band access to children in St Mary’s Primary School. It will nurture talent, confidence, and joy, especially in children with limited access to the arts.

Outcomes: Creative growth · Educational opportunity · Music for all


Stroke Recovery Counselling & Therapy

 Organisation: Back on Track – Stroke Rehab Service
Amount: £30,000*
Funding Type: 3-year core/project funding
Beneficiaries: Working-age stroke survivors and their families

The only service of its kind in Wiltshire, this programme provides rehabilitation, therapy, and group support for younger stroke survivors. It addresses a critical gap in long-term care, helping people regain independence and mental wellbeing.

Outcomes: Recovery support · Mental resilience · Holistic care


Fresh Start Scheme 

Organisation: Waste Not Want Not
Amount: £30,000*
Funding Type: 3-year rolling scheme
Beneficiaries: Individuals/families recovering from crisis

Helps around 30 Chippenham based people annually to move into safe, stable housing by providing essential furniture and appliances. A long-standing project with deep local roots, it reduces hardship, prevents debt, and diverts waste from landfill.

Outcomes: Housing stability · Waste reduction · Financial relief


Digital Empowerment Programme

Organisation: The Stay Safe Initiative CIC
Amount: £2,850
Funding Type: One-off educational programme
Beneficiaries: Secondary pupils, parents/carers, and staff

A targeted programme for the three Chippenham secondary schools, equipping Years 7 and 9 pupils with digital safety skills through workshops on social media, cyberbullying, and mental health. Parents and staff are included to strengthen safe online habits at home and school.

Outcomes: Online safety · Mental wellbeing · Lifelong digital awareness


In Total…

This final round brings our 2024–25 Grants for Organisations programme to a close, with 31 grants awarded across three rounds. This year included our commitment to provide 3 years of grant funding to the following organisations, following impactful interim reporting including: –

Hardenhuish School (Mental health & wellbeing support) – 10,000 per annum

Waste Not Want Not (Fresh Start Scheme) – 10,000 per annum

Back on Track (Counselling, psychotherapy and additional therapies for Stroke victims) – £30,000 £10,000 per annum

Help Counselling Service (Chippenham Counselling rooms) – £3000 per annum

Chippenham Folk Festival (Annual Folk Festivals) – £6000 per annum

Doorway Wiltshire – (Building Better Lives) – £10,000 per annum

Chippenham Community Hub (Sustainable funding for continued community work) -£10,000 per annum

Olive Branch Counselling (Core costs) – £10,000 per annum

We would like to thank all of our 2024-25 applicants and every volunteer, staff member, and supporter making these projects and support services in Chippenham possible.


Upcoming Grant Deadlines

 The deadlines for our Grants for Organisations programme for the financial year 2025-26 (1st April to 31st March) are: –

  • Sunday 1st June 2025
  • Monday 1st September 2025
  • Sunday 1st February 2026

If your project promotes local wellbeing, connection, or opportunity, we’d love to hear from you. Find out more about our Grants for Organisations here.

Don’t forget individual applicants can apply anytime – more information here!