What is the Strategy about?
The Community Health and Wealth Building Strategy is Huntingdonshire District Council’s (HDC) long-term commitment to improving the quality of life for local people, by addressing the root causes of poor health, and economic inequality.
It focuses on creating the conditions for residents to thrive—through economic resilience, social connection, physical and mental wellbeing and access to local opportunities.
By adopting a Community Wealth Building model, the strategy ensures that public sector investment and decision-making directly benefit local communities. This approach supports HDC's wider goals under the Corporate Plan and Huntingdonshire Futures' focus on prevention and wellbeing.
The Community Health and Wealth Building Fund
The Community Health and Wealth Building Delivery Fund is a £750,000 investment by HDC to support the delivery of its Community Health and Wealth Building Strategy over the next three years. The fund is a dedicated resource to support projects that align with the strategy’s goals.
It aims to:
-
maximise local social benefits, such as employment and housing
-
support community-led initiatives that foster connection and well-being
-
encourage innovative solutions to improve health, economic resilience, and social connection.
The fund will empower local communities, organisations, and partners to lead initiatives that address the root causes of inequality and poor health. While the initial funding comes from HDC, the fund is open to contributions from external partners to expand its reach and impact.
What is the Pilot Fund?
HDC launched a £50,000 Community Health and Wealth Building Pilot Fund as the first phase of the wider £750,000 Delivery Fund.
The pilot ran from 1 to 31 August 2025 and was designed to test and refine the approach to supporting community-led projects that enhance health, wellbeing and economic resilience.
It has provided valuable learning to shape the main Delivery Fund and has helped to strengthen local partnerships.
Successful projects
A Grant Panel was convened to review all eligible applications, bringing together representatives from different sectors as well as local residents.
This diverse panel ensured that decisions reflected the priorities, values and lived experiences of our communities. The quality of submissions was exceptional and we were truly inspired by the talent, creativity and commitment shown by organisations across the district.
The projects awarded funding represent some of the most innovative and impactful ideas, demonstrating the strength and potential within Huntingdonshire’s community sector.
The Pilot Fund was awarded to the following initiatives:
-
Sports Connections Foundation – Inspire Through Sport (Huntingdon)
Weekly multi-sport sessions and mentoring for young people in Huntingdon, supporting confidence, wellbeing and future opportunities.
-
Ramsey Memory Support Group – Ramsey and District Tuesday Cafes
A programme of weekly activities including a Tuesday Club Cafe, cognitive and balance exercise sessions, and an intergenerational cafe bringing together preschool children and secondary school students.
-
Hobby Hub (Yaxley) – The MENtor Shed
Intergenerational woodworking, repair and creative workshops designed to build confidence, skills and social connection among young people and adults.
-
Centre33 – Stronger Futures
Targeted support for young adult carers across Huntingdonshire, including one-to-one and group support, advocacy, training and wider systems support.
-
Creative Crafters (Ramsey) – Creative Crafters
A community craft hub offering workshops, shelf-rental opportunities, craft supplies and volunteering roles to support mental wellbeing, skills development and local resilience.
Launch of the Full Delivery Fund
Building on the success of the pilot phase, HDC will launch the full Community Health and Wealth Building Delivery Fund on 29 January 2026.
Up to £700,000 will be available over the next three years to support community-led projects that:
-
improve physical and mental health, including through increased physical activity
-
strengthen economic resilience, focusing on employment, skills and removing barriers
-
increase social connection and a sense of community across Huntingdonshire.
Full guidance, including how to apply, key dates and assessment criteria, will be published on this webpage prior to when the Delivery Fund opens on 29 January 2026.
Who is eligible?
When the Delivery Fund opens, the following voluntary and community sector organisations will be eligible to apply:
-
Voluntary and community sector organisations that are based in Huntingdonshire. Applications must be for projects that will be delivered in Huntingdonshire, and where the beneficiaries are Huntingdonshire residents.
-
No precepting authorities, private individuals or commercial organisations are eligible to apply for funding.
-
Applicants must demonstrate that the organisation has a dedicated bank account.
Criteria
The criteria below were used for the Pilot Fund and will inform the development of the full Delivery Fund guidance. Updated criteria for new applications will be published when the Delivery Fund opens.
Your project or proposal should:
-
contribute to one or more of the three Strategy priorities:
-
improving physical and mental health, including through increased physical activity
-
supporting economic resilience, including employment, skills and reducing barriers
-
strengthening social connection and sense of community
-
-
include a clear focus on prevention, with at least part of the activity aimed at preventing future issues
-
demonstrate match funding (including in-kind contributions such as room hire, equipment use or staff time)
-
for existing projects, demonstrate how funding will grow or expand the offer
-
include a plan for sustaining any core cost funding beyond the initial period
-
be ready to begin within a reasonable timeframe following a funding decision.
What happens next?
The Pilot Fund has concluded and the first five projects are now in delivery.
The next step is the launch of the main Community Health and Wealth Building Delivery Fund on 29 January 2026.
Prior to that date, this page will be updated with:
-
full guidance for applicants
-
updated eligibility and assessment criteria
-
application forms and deadlines
-
information on support available from HDC and partners.
Need further help?
If you are unsure if your group or project is eligible, or if it aligns with the aims of the Community Health and Wealth Building Strategy, please email HDC's Community Development Team
For additional support, including bid development, contact Support Cambridgeshire
Keep up to date
If you want to be kept up to date you can sign up below to our emailing list.
Sign up for updates