Published on
11 February 2026
Chance to spark positive change through community fund
Grants of up to £2,000 are now available for community projects that help adults feel more connected and included
A new community fund is inviting Wokingham Borough residents to turn their ideas into reality with grants of up to £2,000.
The Sparks Community Award offers grants of between £100 and £2000 to individuals, grassroots groups, and established organisations with new ideas that support the Social Care Future vision.
Funding is specifically for projects that help adults who may need extra support due to disability, health conditions or caring responsibilities.
Social Care Future is a national movement working toward a society where everyone can live in the place they call home, with the people and things they love, in communities where we look out for one another, doing the things that matter to them.
Wokingham Borough Council has been championing the Social Care Future movement for several years. The Sparks Community Award is designed to ignite fresh ideas, inspire action, and grow the movement locally - creating new connections and approaches that amplify the impact communities can make together.
The fund is looking for ideas that help reduce isolation, strengthen neighbourhood connections, and help people participate fully in community life - creating the kind of support networks that mean people can live independently and well. Applications are open from 11 February 2026, with funding decisions made by an independent panel of local residents. Applications will be reviewed on a quarterly basis throughout the year.
The fund is seeking projects that meet at least one of the following Social Care Future aims:
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Make it easy for everyone to feel part of their community
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Support people to live and stay in a place they call home
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Help people have the chance to do more of the things they love
Applications are welcome from anyone with a fresh approach to community support - particularly individuals and groups who haven’t applied for funding before as well as established organisations exploring new approaches or collaborations. Examples might include community cooking and neighbourhood supper clubs, social connection initiatives, accessible arts or sports activities, or projects that help people feel more included and able to participate in community life. More information and guidance on how to apply are available on the Sparks Community Award page.
Cllr David Hare, executive member for adult services, health and wellbeing, said: "We know that communities have brilliant ideas about what would make a real difference locally.
"Sparks is about putting initial funding directly into the hands of people who understand what's needed - resources that can help get community ideas off the ground.
“We've deliberately kept the application process simple and accessible, we want to hear from groups and individuals who may never have applied for funding before. If you have an idea that could help people in Wokingham Borough thrive, we want to hear from you. Importantly, funding decisions are going to be made by local residents who understand what their community needs, not by council officers."
Wokingham Borough Council's adult social care services are among the best in the country, recently receiving an overall rating of 81 per cent from the Care Quality Commission – one of the highest issued nationally.
Adult Social Care supports people who may need extra support due to disability, health conditions, or caring responsibilities to live fulfilling, connected lives in their communities.
The Sparks Community Award builds on this commitment to person-centred support and community-led change.
Further information and application forms are available on the Sparks Community Award page.
Successful applicants will be notified throughout the year and will receive funding for one year. The council will support funded projects in promoting their work and will connect with grant recipients to understand the impact their projects have had on the community.
For more information or to request an application pack in an alternative format, contact getinvolved@wokingham.gov.uk
