22nd May 2024
More than £350,000 has been injected into projects that support businesses and community organisations in South Oxfordshire.
Drawn from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), a scheme for rural businesses and organisations as part of the Government’s Levelling Up agenda, the district council has allocated funding for a number of projects across the district, giving local organisations a much-needed boost.
One such organisation was Thomley, based near Thame, which received funding to create an Eco Woodland Outdoor Adventure and Learning Centre and an eco-friendly interactive water feature. An exciting site for people with disabilities and their families, the charity hosts activities to help visitors develop the skills they need to enhance their day-to-day lives.
Joe Kitchen, Operations Manager at Thomley, said: “Thomley are extremely grateful with the funding received from the REPF scheme, which has enabled Thomley to develop an Eco Woodland and Adventure area for our visitors. This exciting new area will include a ‘floor is lava’ area with dinosaurs, an adventure assault course, fairy garden, picnic area and lots more. Our visitors can’t wait for the works to be completed later this year.”
UK Shared Prosperity Fund projects benefitting from funding so far include:
- Support for the local visitor economy, with Henley Town Council awarded funding to develop a campaign to promote the Visit Henley-on-Thames website, and Wallingford Town Council using funds to develop a ‘Visit Wallingford’ website and organise the first free Jazz Festival in the town.
- Thame Town Council received funding to design and print a series of information leaflets, including historic walking trails, a shopping guide, Midsomer Murders and a Visit Thame information brochure.
- Redeveloping the Visit Southern Oxfordshire website, that will work to support local businesses in the tourism sector.
While the council is finalising a range of plans for this year’s allocation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, we have further funding to award through the next round of the Rural England Prosperity Fund.
Example projects that could be supported include sustainability infrastructure, the creation and expansion of rural leisure and tourism businesses, and purchase of equipment to support rural and community owned businesses.
Councillor Robin Bennett, South Oxfordshire District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, said: “It’s great to see so many businesses and community organisations benefiting from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The first round of funding supported projects including the first free Winter Blues and Jazz Festival in Wallingford, which was a great success and brought a timely boost to Wallingford and surrounding villages.
“We are fortunate to be situated in an incredibly attractive area of natural beauty and character but the last few years have been challenging for our rural economy. Projects like Thomley’s Eco Woodland Outdoor Adventure and Learning Centre are an excellent example of how the Rural England Prosperity Fund is being put to good use, enhancing the well-being of people with disabilities with improved facilities.
“Our next round of funding opens for applications this week – I hope the projects we’ve highlighted inspire more eligible organisations and businesses to apply, and ultimately help our rural communities to prosper.”
The next round for applications has now opened and organisations can apply for the scheme via the council’s website.
