The existing Cubs and Beavers groups were expanding to open a new Scout troop in the village and the group wanted to offer better, safer experiences to even more young people.  The grant was used to purchase catering units for use at camps and events, risk assessment training for volunteer leaders and flexible graphic signboards to use at camps, community events, and recruitment drives.   

The 1st Droxford Scout group said: “This grant has strengthened safety, improved our visibility in the community, and helped us expand high-quality Scouting opportunities for young people across the Meon Valley.” 

The club was hosting the England v Australia 'Grey' (Over 60's) Ashes One Day International in July 2025. The club required additional infrastructure to ensure the spectators had a great day, remained safe and the event was a spectacle for all. The grant supported hire cost for additional toilets, additional refrigeration space, IT to support livestream and food for volunteers.  

"The grant from Winchester City Council allowed us to stage England v Australia Over 60's One Day International Cricket match which was an incredible showcase of elite sport, proving age is just a number - nearly 300 spectators attended the free entry event and enjoy our fabulous ground and facilities at Sparsholt." 

A grant was given to enable the purchase of materials for the conservation group volunteers to build an artificial Sand Martin nest site on the Bishops Waltham North Pond. There are already migrant birds which stop to feed here but natural Sand Martin nest sites are becoming scarce, and this provides an artificial site for them to use.  

"The Winchester CC grant has contributed to and enabled the construction and installation of a Sand Martin nest bank on the Bishops Waltham North Pond. As well as providing a much-needed artificial nest site for the Sand Martins it has benefited anyone with an interest in conservation and the local environment, as well as providing an attraction for adults and children visiting and observing the birds and other wildlife on the North Pond." 

WCC funding was provided to fit bike racks that can accommodate up to 48 bikes and a multiuse bike pump and repair station at the front of the zoo plaza area, located next to the new public restaurant.   The project provided great facilities for people choosing a sustainable travel method to get to Marwell Zoo and has attracted local cycling groups such as Fareham Riders.  

'We are very grateful to have received a grant from Winchester City Council that has allowed us to install some new and improved bike parking facilities outside the Keepers Kitchen cafe, at the front of Marwell Zoo, promoting a sustainable way to travel to us. We opened the Keepers Kitchen in May and we are hoping that it becomes a vibrant hub for the local community, who are currently underserved with places to grab a coffee and a bite to eat. All cyclists welcome!' 

Based in Northington Down, the centre offers a safe space where people of all ages, from neurodivergent and disabled communities, can participate in outdoor activities designed to promote learning, personal development, and improve mental health and wellbeing.  The grant funded equipment so that the centre can develop a Forest School Cooking Project to educate children age 5-12 and their families.   

A Winchester City Community small grant enabled CPRE Hampshire to expand their meadows work across South Winchester.  This community‑led project brought together local organisations, residents, and volunteers through a full season of hands‑on activities - from “Learn to Scythe” training and Making Hay by Hand Weeks, to wildflower seed harvesting, and wellbeing in nature walks. 

With this contribution, CPRE Hampshire empowered volunteers, developed green skills, strengthened community connections, and helped safeguard the district’s  grasslands for future generations. The training delivered will leave a lasting legacy of increased knowledge and confidence in managing these unique chalk grassland habitats. 

Active LD received funding to deliver an inclusive, pool-based event designed for adults with learning disabilities. This half-day celebration provided participants with the opportunity to try swimming, water polo, and aqua aerobics in a supportive and accessible environment.
The event focused on two key aims: celebrating each individual’s achievements and encouraging ongoing participation in water-based activities. By connecting participants with local clubs and coaches, the project helps create clear pathways into regular sport and exercise.

"The participants' enthusiasm, energy and enjoyment was palpable and clearly demonstrates a high demand for accessible water based activities within the learning disabled community. Many citing swimming as their favourite way to be active. We're excited that the Aqua Bests has already become a springboard for getting more people taking part in regular water based activity." 

Durley Parish Council received Rural England Prosperity Funding to help surface and update the car park adjoining the much-used village hall.  The improvements included clearer markings around the parking bays and the introduction of two EV chargers for use by residents and visitors.  

Anne Collins, Parish Clerk, said: "The EV Charging points are working well and are used by visitors to the Hall and also walkers who use the Hall car park to go off for a walk around the area.  Many parents use the Hall car park to park when dropping their children off at Durley Primary School, which eases the congestion outside of Durley School at pick up and drop off times.  Residents also park in the car park when using the local bus service."

One user commented: "The EV chargers are well priced and simple to use, so the whole process is easy and seamless."

The UKSPF supported a twelve-week football and cricket programme for children from Year 3 to Year 6, culminating in an inter-school tournament at the newly-opened KGV Sports Pavilion.  700 children from ten schools participated, creating a sense of community and encouraging long-term participation in physical activity.  

• 85% of participants reported increased confidence in sports.
• 70% of teachers observed improvements in their children’s teamwork and communication skills.

Calum Drumond, Health Improvement Manager, said: "In addition to skill development, the project played a crucial role in encouraging social cohesion and teamwork. By bringing together children from diverse backgrounds, it encouraged cultural exchange and friendships that extend beyond the activities."

A grant from the Rural England Prosperity Fund enabled Bishops Waltham to replace the ageing minibus that provides vital access to social events for many local residents who live in villages that are poorly served by public transport.

Robert Shields, Chairman, said: "The funding has contributed towards a new minibus to replace a 10-year old bus that has become increasingly unreliable and very costly to maintain. The minibus has many scheduled trips linked to lunch clubs, dial-a-ride services and shopping trips, nearly all for the elderly and less able, so its constant availability is very important to the local community. The new minibus gives an assurance that this valuable service is maintained."

Denmead Community Centre received an award from the Rural England Prosperity Fund for solar panelling.  The trustees were anxious to reduce its reliance on imported energy as rising costs were inevitably being passed on to the community groups that hire the centre, threatening the viability of several.

In the first two months following installation, Denmead Community Centre was 80% energy self-sufficient and avoided emitting an estimated 3.5 tonnes of CO2

Bob Porter, Trustee, said: "REPF Funding through Winchester City Council enabled us to install a PV array at the Denmead Community Centre which will not only have environmental benefits but also reduce our costs enabling us to maintain and enhance opportunities and activities for all the residents of Denmead and the surrounding area." 

Easton Village Hall received an award from the Rural England Prosperity Fund for solar panelling.

In the first six months following their installation, the 45 solar panels generated 72% of the electricity used by the Hall. 53% of the electricity generated was exported to the Grid - equating to income for the Hall of £814 

Dr John Smith, on behalf of the Village Hall, said: "Fitting the solar panels to the roof of Easton Village Hall, funded by the REPF via Winchester City Council, has been a transformational local project which we hope will inspire others locally to consider similar sustainable projects"

A grant from the Rural England Prosperity Fund contributed to the installation of a ground source heat pump for Itchen Abbas and Avington Village Hall.

Cllr Christopher Langford said: "The project has enabled us to replace our old gas boilers with an open loop Ground Source Heat Pump. This will:

1. Enable us to keep our hire rates affordable for hirers
2. Reduce our carbon footprint significantly
3. Mean we can share our experience of the installation and running costs with the wider public"

A grant from the Rural England Prosperity Fund allowed Sutton Scotney Parish Council to install a solar PV array on the roof of Victoria Hall.

The photograph shows the completed installation being admired by Danny Chambers, MP for Winchester, Alistair Black, Chairman of Sutton Scotney Parish Council, and representatives of WinAcc who advised on the system.

Sue Neilson, Parish Clerk, said: "The project has enabled us to install 30 solar panels on the rear elevation of our hall. We are proud that this 127 year old building is playing a part in tackling the climate emergency. We have been able to demonstrate to the community that despite the age, a building can adapt to offset electricity costs and reduce CO2 emissions.   We are optimistic that there should be a 40% saving on our [electricity] consumption."

Nunnaminster,  later known as St Mary's Abbey, is located in the heart of Winchester city centre beside Abbey House and Gardens.  

An award from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund was used to replace the original mounted interpretation panels with freestanding panels at a lower level, offering better accessibility. The new panels include raised detailing and Braille to assist those with sight loss and a QR code which links to a screen-reader friendly version of the text, a glossary of terms and links to further reading.

Emalene Hickman, Culture & Creative Sector Development Officer, said: "Thanks to UKSPF funding we were able to install new interpretation panels at the Nunnaminster site, restoring a piece of Winchester’s history. The new, more accessible panels will ensure that visitors and residents alike will have a new appreciation for the significance of the site and its place in our city’s story."

A local guide said: "Just a quick note to say how brilliant the new information boards are! I tried very hard to read the last boards but they were very weathered. The new boards are fascinating, full of things I didn’t know, and I took a group there last week and they thought they were great! I am a Winchester guide and I will take groups there all the time now!”

An award from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund contributed to the cost of interim improvements to a central area of Winchester City that had fallen into disuse.

Eleanor Driscoll, Project Manager, said: "Friarsgate Park is a new vibrant temporary outdoor space created on the site of the former Friarsgate Medical Centre. The new space includes seating areas, a platform for arts and cultural activities, soft landscaping with wildflowers, and improved views of the River Itchen. Alongside the improvement works at Kings Walk, Friarsgate Park is one of several meanwhile initiatives being introduced as part of the first phase of Central Winchester’s Regeneration, as designs for the entire site are developed. It serves as a new outside community space as well as enhancing connectivity and biodiversity."

An award from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund supported an upgrade to the previous tarmac path network on the Devil's island section of the site.  This ensures that the path, located in a floodplain, will drain wherever possible towards the River Itchen and is fully accessible to all users.  

Katie Morgans, Principal Landscape Architect, said: "The project to overlay the tarmac path has meant the surface has been improved for access by all and has tried to address future flooding issues by allowing it to drain more effectively during a flood.  The project has also introduced areas of biodiversity which will act as flood mitigation by providing the lost flood storage within the existing floodplain." 

The photograph shows a stretch of the resurfaced path following completion of the works designed to improve drainage and prevent flooding.

An award from the Rural England Prosperity Fund paid for the foundations and earthworks for a new all-weather scout hut, the fabricated body of which was financed by private donation.  

James Fraser, Treasurer, said: "The construction of the Activity Barn will enable activities to be carried out all year round and not have to be cancelled due to inclement weather or low light.  In the past activities have had to be cancelled or curtailed due to the weather."

An award from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund has enabled visitors to enjoy the walks up St Giles Hill once again.

The existing wooden retaining wall was rotten and the bank was in danger of slippage or a landslide that could block a main access path on the hill. The fund was used to replace the wooden wall with a gabion wall of 40 lin.m, filled with limestone, topped with netting and then topsoil. 

Coral Rogers, Recreation and Projects Officer, said: "Shoring up the bank with gabions has opened up the path, allowing better access to residents, the wider Winchester town and the many visitors who visit St Giles Hill. It has also opened up the bank for native planting, benefiting biodiversity on the Hill."

Sustrans, the sustainable transport organisation, now known as Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, received a grant from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund towards the development of new walking routes around Winchester.

Anna Herron, Sustainable Travel Officer, Sustrans South, said:"This project has enabled us to develop and run 24 new health walks, across 5 different routes, with 42 participants taking part in at least one health walk.  Participants were asked to complete a short feedback survey at the end of the walks and the common themes in these surveys show that this project has benefitted the local community by giving walk participants an opportunity to:

• Meet new people and socialise (20 comments),
• Exercise outdoors and spend time in nature (15 comments),
• Relax, find peace and feel positive (8 comments),
• Learn about their local area (8 comments),
• Visit new places / places they would not visit alone (6 comments)."