Settle funds local projects through the Community Benefit Fund
We are delighted to announce that seven local community initiatives have been successful in receiving funding through the first round of our Settle Community Benefit Fund
The fund is part of our agreement with North Hertfordshire Council to reinvest money from right to buy sales straight back into our communities, to help residents thrive in their homes and neighbourhoods.
The first wave of funding opened late last year. Applicants had to fulfil certain criteria to ensure their projects had the goal of improving community wellbeing, safety in communities and opportunities for training, education and employment.
A second wave of funding is currently open until 15 March 2026, where grants of up to £3,000 can be applied for. More information can be found on our Community Fund Benefit page.
The successful beneficiaries from the first wave have now received their funding and will be starting their projects in the coming months. We look forward to providing an update on the projects as they progress.
Settle Community Benefit Fund recipients
Create Community CIC – Men’s Wellbeing Workshops
Funding will go towards creating and sustaining a safe, welcoming space where men can come together to openly discuss personal challenges, share experiences, and receive peer support. By providing structured opportunities for connection, conversation, and community engagement, the project aims to address mental health struggles and the issue of isolation and loneliness.
Create Community CIC – Safe Space Friendly Face
To provide a weekly inclusive hub session for people struggling with day-to-day life to engage, seek guidance, engage in activities and improve their general wellbeing. This will take place in a new location in Letchworth town centre and will raise awareness to the wider community of the services available to them.
Garden City Academy – Sensory Garden
The school will use the fund to install a sensory garden in the school playground to provide a safe and calm space for students who need it by utilising plants and equipment that inspire calming smells, sounds and touch.
Green Care at Norton CIC – Home Harvest Project
Funding will be used to provide allotment plots and basic equipment in Settle residents gardens, overseen by Green Care, to allow them to produce food that they can use themselves or donate back to Green Care and to teach residents about food sustainability and nutrition. If any residents are interested in volunteering their garden and getting involved, contact our engagement team.
Imajica Theatre – Positive Vibrations
The group will use the fund to run a series of Women’s Wellbeing Café sessions and Family wellbeing sessions in Letchworth, mainly in the Grange, Wilbury and Jackmans neighbourhoods. The focus will be on creating a safe and kind space for female residents and families who may not have access based on their circumstance. The sessions will be inclusive for SEN and neurodivergent children.
Oughton Court Community Garden
To provide a storage area and basic gardening equipment for residents to help maintain the planting areas around the new development at Kingfisher House, Cornmill House & Oughton Court and improve the environment for residents of the 50 flats to enjoy the outdoor space to help improve mental health & wellbeing.
Priory School – Music for all
The project will broaden the offer of music to children who may otherwise not have access due to circumstances. The aim is to improve engagement with the children and their engagement with all academic subjects, building self-confidence and knowledge through music.
