Southport Recovery Voluntary, Community & Faith (VCF) Sector Grant Fund Awards

Sefton CVS has been working with the Community Foundation for Lancashire and Merseyside’s in promoting the Southport Strong Together Appeal, in partnership with Sefton Council, which was established in response to the tragic attack that took place on 29th July 2024.

We were asked to co-ordinate a small Grants Programme for Voluntary, Community and Faith (VCF) sector organisations based, or those that deliver services, in Southport to support residents and communities to recover from the tragic events of July 2024.

The grant round covered the delivery of services and activities during the period 1st March 2025 to 31st October 2025. Submissions could be made of £500 up to a maximum of £5,000.

The priorities for this Grants Programme were:

  • – Community cohesion, including promoting anti-racism and inclusion;
  • – Psychological and wellbeing support, including one to one counselling provision;
  • – Youth provision, including supporting the development of diversionary programmes and activities;
  • – Community reassurance programmes, including supporting the most vulnerable in our society;
  • – Training, including trauma informed practice, building security, risk assessments training and responding to new training needs as they arise;
  • – Capacity building, to include supporting the sector to respond to knife crime in terms of youth and community safety programmes as it is identified;
  • – Events and activities, including inter-faith and community events and social activities across age groups and different populations.

Grants Awarded

Ainsdale Lunch and Leisure
Amount Funded: £1,273
Ainsdale Lunch and Leisure hosted a commemorative VE Day 80th Anniversary Street party in May in partnership with Ainsdale Methodist Church. The event brought together up to 100 residents to reflect and strengthen community bonds.

CRADLE Charity
Amount Funded: £2,200
CRADLE are supporting Community Ambassadors and Clinical Volunteers at hubs like Southport Hospital and Ormskirk District General Hospital, by providing training and distributing COMFORT Bags. CRADLE provides practical and emotional support to those affected by baby loss during pregnancy or termination.

Holy Family Catholic Church, Southport
Amount Funded: £600
Holy Family are using the grant to support the ‘Seeds of Hope and Friendship’ project led by Holy Family Catholic Church. The project aims to bring together women from Catholic Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faiths for monthly meetings to discuss family life, faith, and share recipes.

Identity Dads CIC
Amount Funded: £780
Identity Dads plans to expand its offerings in central and northern Southport by adding a second playgroup, a prenatal/post-natal dads’ group, and low-intensity mental health group sessions.

Liverpool Road Methodist Church, Birkdale
Funded: £3,000
A collaborative project between Liverpool Road Methodist Church (LRMC) and St John’s Church in Birkdale, which aims to provide a safe space for families with children aged 5-12 in Southport. The project includes activities such as pottery painting.

Migrant Workers Sefton (MWSC)
Amount Funded: £3,000
MWSC will offer a housing advice and support project, engaging a sessional worker to help clients overcome barriers such as limited affordable housing, economic instability, legal and regulatory challenges, language barriers, and lack of social support networks

Mind Balance Solutions CIC
Amount Funded: £5,000
Mind Balance Solutions are supporting emotional and psychological support workshops for Polish school children in Southport, delivered at Holy Family Primary School, Southport. From March to July 2025, six psychoeducational workshops will be delivered aimed at supporting children and families in the community with their emotional well-being.

Parenting 2000
Amount Funded: £2,500
Parenting 2000 are delivering 50 additional one-hour counselling sessions for children and young people aged 6 to 25 years. The service offers Person-Centred talking therapy, incorporating Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Art, and Play techniques where appropriate.

SACHA – Southport African Caribbean Heritage Association; Constituted community group
Amount Funded: £4,000
SACHA will be funding two inclusive events in 2025 will celebrate African and Caribbean culture in Southport – on 29 March a Cultural Education and Heritage Event took place in Southport and on 30 August a Community Development and Cohesion Fair will promote inclusivity and diversity. Open to all, the events promote cultural awareness, mutual respect, and historical understanding.

Sefton Young Carers, Sefton Carers Centre
Amount Funded: £1,850
Sefton Young Carers will fund a fully inclusive trip to Chester Zoo for 26 young carers in Southport during the summer holidays. It will provide respite from caring duties, covering transport, entry, meals, and activity packs.

Southport 281 Squadron Air Cadets
Amount Funded: £3,000
The Southport 281 Squadron Air Cadets will fund a minibus for the squadron air cadets, increasing access to camps, competitions, and training. The minibus will ensure all cadets can participate fully and safely and strengthen their presence at community and faith events.

Southport and Formby Social Prescribing Service (Brighter Living Partnership)
Amount Funded: £3,000
Brighter Living Partnership are running 24 mindful weekly art sessions in partnership with Artease for adults facing poor mental health. Led by a local artist, each session offers calm, creative activity in a safe space.

Southport Sea Cadets
Amount Funded: £3,000
Southport Sea Cadets will restore an unused building to expand training and accommodation space enabling enhanced activities and overnight visits for young people aged 9-18.

Southport Trinity Cricket Club; Community Sports Club
Amount Funded: £1,866
Southport Trinity Cricket Club will offer free girls’ coaching (ages 6–11) from April to September, aimed at boosting engagement and numbers for young people.

Southport University Extension Society (SUES)
Amount Funded: £2,500
SUES and 10 partner groups aim to make Southport a recognised Learning Town. They hosted a free community festival in June at The Atkinson, celebrating shared learning. Events will include crafts, music, and games to promote inclusion and wellbeing.

St John’s Church, Ainsdale
Amount Funded: £3,840
St John’s Church Ainsdale are delivering a weekly after-school club for children aged 7–11. Activities include crafts, games, snacks, and ‘chill and chat’ discussions.

St John’s Church, Birkdale
Amount Funded: £3,000
St John’s Church Birkdale are offering free weekly social spin classes open to all and aimed at boosting community wellbeing and cohesion.

SWAN WOMENS CENTRE
Amount Funded: £2,500
SWAN are expanding their trauma-informed, neurodivergent-aware counselling offer for women and girls (13+) in Southport.

The Community Church, Southport
Amount Funded: £4,825
The Family Life Centre are running three projects promoting inclusion and connection.
– A summer fun day will bring the community together.
– A sensory parent/pre-school group will support early years and reduce isolation.
– A teen youth club will offer creative, social activities that promote diversity and responsibility.

The Windmills Foundation
Amount Funded: £4,500
Windmill Foundation’s Southport Social Signature initiative will involve 600+ young people across 30+ schools, tackling six community issues. 90 Youth Champions will lead projects supported by a Smile Challenge, toolkit, and development day.

Woodvale and Ainsdale Community Association (WACA)
Amount Funded: £2,500
Woodvale and Ainsdale Community Association are delivering fun, low-cost holiday activities for 10–19-year-olds. Running at Easter, May, Summer and October, the programme includes trips, sports and arts, plus meals and support.