Community Catalyst invests almost £40,000 to strengthen support for young people and families across Cambridgeshire

Grassroots organisations supporting young people, families and communities across Cambridgeshire have received almost £40,000 through Community Catalyst, helping them build the skills, capacity and resilience needed to increase their impact and respond to growing local demand.

A total of £39,834.40 has been awarded to four voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations working across youth provision, family support, community engagement and wellbeing throughout the county. The funding forms part of a wider £450,000 grant funding investment in community organisations across England, helping local groups strengthen their long-term sustainability and create lasting positive change in their communities.

Funded and delivered by a consortium led by Clarion Futures alongside Places for People, Fusion21 Foundation, Peabody and MTVH, Community Catalyst is backed by a combined £3 million investment and will support 270 organisations across England over three years. The programme combines tailored one-to-one consultancy support with capacity-building grants of up to £10,000, helping organisations become more resilient and better equipped to meet growing community need.

The VSCE’s receiving funding in Cambridgeshire are:

• Fusion Family and Youth Projects in Huntingdon
• Huntingdon Community Action Project (HCAP)
• Sports Connections Foundation in Huntingdon
• Fenland Youth Work Network CIC

Collectively, these organisations support local people facing a range of challenges, from social isolation and poor mental wellbeing to barriers in education, employment and community participation. Through youth work, family support, mentoring, wellbeing programmes and grassroots outreach, they provide vital services that help strengthen communities and create opportunities for people to thrive.

Jamie Dickinson, Head of Social Impact at Places for People (PfP) said: "Across Cambridgeshire, grassroots organisations are supporting young people, families and communities through some of life's biggest challenges. They are trusted, local charities that understand the needs of their communities and provide opportunities that can have a lasting impact, often stepping in where help is needed most. At Places for People, we see first-hand the difference they make to people's lives and the strength they bring to communities. Through Community Catalyst, we're proud to be helping these organisations strengthen their capacity and sustainability so they can continue changing lives and supporting communities for years to come."

Fusion Family and Youth Projects is one of the charities benefiting from the programme. It has supported children, young people and families across Huntingdonshire for more than 30 years and provides inclusive youth provision, one-to-one support, school programmes, holiday activities and volunteering opportunities, helping young people build confidence, resilience and positive futures.

As demand for its services continued to grow and preparations progressed for a new purpose-built Youth Hub, Fusion sought support through Community Catalyst to strengthen organisational capacity, review strategic priorities and prepare for long-term sustainability. The consultancy support has helped the charity develop a clearer roadmap for future growth, while the grant funding will allow it to continue building strong foundations for the years ahead.  

Angie Linton, Co-ordinator at Fusion Family and Youth Projects, said: "The support from Community Catalyst has come at exactly the right time for Fusion. As we prepare to open our new Youth Hub, having access to experienced consultancy has helped us strengthen our organisation, think strategically and plan for a sustainable future. The additional funding will enable us to continue building our capacity so we can support even more children, young people and families in our community. We are incredibly grateful for the investment in our organisation and the confidence it shows in our work."

Huntingdon Community Action Project (HCAP) has been supporting vulnerable families for more than 15 years, bringing organisations together to deliver community-led programmes that improve wellbeing, build skills and strengthen resilience. Its work includes functional skills training, wellbeing sessions, holiday activities for vulnerable families and practical courses such as cooking and budgeting support.

Through Community Catalyst, HCAP has received consultancy support to develop a clear pathway for sustainable growth, alongside funding that will help it continue meeting the evolving needs of local communities.

Tracey Holliday from Huntingdon Community Action Project said: "The consultancy support from Community Catalyst and funding couldn't have come at a better time. The significant growth and success our charity has experienced in recent years meant that we needed to reflect and focus on the future of our organisation and build our capacity to meet the evolving needs of our community."

Funding will also support the work of Sports Connections Foundation in Huntingdon, which uses sport as a catalyst for positive change through mentoring, multi-sport sessions and enrichment activities that improve wellbeing and create pathways into education and employment for children and young people.

Meanwhile, Fenland Youth Work Network CIC will use the funding to strengthen its community-based work with young people across rural Fenland communities. Through outreach, youth advocacy and grassroots sports initiatives, the organisation helps young people influence local decision-making, build confidence and access positive opportunities in their communities.

Fenland Youth Work Network said: “We’re really pleased to have secured this funding for Fenland Youth Work Network. The Network has grown considerably over the last couple of years, bringing together local organisations and youth workers who are passionate about improving opportunities for young people across Fenland.

For more information about Community Catalyst, visit: https://www.clarionhg.com/about-us/partner-with-us/grant-programmes/community-catalyst