Stoke-on-Trent Centenary

The programme, which is funded through a UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) grant, is aimed at community groups and heritage enthusiasts and will help secure the city’s heritage assets for future generations as the Centenary year approaches.

Leader of the city council, Councillor Jane Ashworth, said: "This is a great opportunity for anybody who has a real appreciation for culture and heritage in our city. Community groups are the lifeblood of maintaining a city's culture, as well as providing education for younger residents and offering innovative ideas to celebrate what our city has achieved and will achieve in the years to come.

"Applications are now open, and we strongly encourage community groups with a real passion for their home city to get involved. Let us work together for this programme as a community to make Stoke-on-Trent an even more vibrant and culturally rich city than it already is.

“As we approach our Centenary year it’s more important than ever for us to not only celebrate our rich cultural heritage but how we can preserve it for the future. You could even apply for some money to have a Centenary party.”

There are two funding streams for successful applicants. The first of these is Small Community Events, which provides a small contribution towards community events. This grant is intended to cover the running costs of not-for-profit community events.

The second funding stream, Small Heritage Asset Grants, allows applicants to request funding for any repair services, land surveys, and labour costs for restoring or tidying up historical landmarks or breathing new life into long-standing monuments.

The values of these grants range from £500 to £5,000, which will cover 80 per cent of the total costs for a project, with applicants required to provide the remaining 20 per cent of contributions through revenue funding such as cash donations from online appeals, any associated expenses from hiring a function room or open space for an event, and volunteering time.

All legally constituted organisations that are based within the boundaries of Stoke-on-Trent City Council can apply.

Projects will be prioritised based on their alignment with local development strategies; complementing ongoing initiatives to support community and heritage groups in the area; providing a cost-effective opportunity; and encouraging collaboration between organisations sharing the same vision.

The new grant comes as the city council is launching its ‘fit and proper person test’ to ensure heritage doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. The new ‘One Council’ approach will make sure heritage land and property are best managed to benefit the city, its communities, and residents.

Councillor Alastair Watson, cabinet member for financial sustainability and corporate resources, said: “As the city council we are guardians of our heritage and this is a responsibility that we take very seriously. 

“That’s why we’re working to protect our historic buildings and cultural heritage as well as creating opportunities for our communities to be able to access them, and use them, and protect them for future generations.”

Applications for the Small Community Events and Heritage Assets Grants must be completed by midnight on Wednesday 27 November 2024.

If a project is approved, a grant payment will be made to the group manager upon submission of a claim form alongside proof of any project expenditures. After further approval by the programme team, the project lead will then receive their grant via an electronic payment.

To request an application pack or for any other questions about the application process for this programme, please contact Angela Halls by emailing angela.halls@stoke.gov.uk.

You can read more information about the Small Community and Heritage Assets Grant programme by visiting https://www.stoke.gov.uk/grants.