Supporting communities over winter months
We’re proud to celebrate our Community Centre Grant winners for the fourth year running. This year, 14 community centres across the South East have each received a £2,143 grant to help with their operational costs, as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting local communities.
These grants will contribute to essential running costs such as heating and supplies to make sure these important spaces remain warm, safe and welcoming throughout the winter months. Each centre offers far more than a place to meet – they provide support, connection and a trusted lifeline for local people, particularly those who are most vulnerable. By helping cover core costs, we’re helping centres focus on what matters most – delivering vital services and strengthening the wellbeing of the communities they serve.
Hearing how these centres use our grants is incredibly encouraging. From food support and warm spaces to youth clubs, creative activities, health sessions and vital support for vulnerable residents, they play a central role in their communities.
- Chatham Maritime Trust – Chatham.
- Sun Pier House CIC - Chatham
"This funding will help us keep our community arts organisation open and welcoming throughout the winter months, supporting essential activities, covering rising energy costs, and ensuring local people continue to have a safe, warm space when they need it most." - Hannah Stevenson, Assistant Manager.
- All Saints Community Project - Chatham.
- The Net Community Hub - Chatham
We're delighted to be a recipient of the Southern Water community fund - our community loves sharing a hot meal and company together, and this fund will allow us to meet that need.” - Jaye Nolan (Project Manager).
- Folkestone Nepalese Community, Folkestone.
- AgeUK South Kent Coast, Folkestone.
- Sunflower House, Folkestone
"We are really grateful to get this support from Southern Water - it will make a massive difference to our ability to help local people when they are having a tough time. It’s not just the funding, it’s the recognition of our work that matters to us. In practical terms, this means we’ll be able to offer more food support, more help with shopping bills and more friendly chat over teas, coffees & bacon rolls! It’s all about community spirit." - Jon O’Connor, chair of the Sunflower House charity.
- Rainbow Centre - Folkestone
“Rainbow Centre always provide a warm welcome to our clients, but this grant will support us to provide a physically warm welcome to them, as well as providing hot showers, breakfast & refreshments, and washing/drying facilities, the cost of which is much higher over the winter months.” - Theresa Fowler, Office Manager.
- Felpham Community Hall, Bognor Regis
“This timely grant from Southern Water is a real boost as we head deeper into winter. It helps us keep the lights on and the heating running for our regular toddler sessions, fitness classes, karate groups, and community gatherings, so no one in Felpham feels isolated or left out. We’re truly grateful and look forward to making an even bigger difference in 2026.” - Doug Millen, Community Hall Manager at Felpham Parish Council.
- Community Wise, Eastbourne.
- The Trees Community Association, Eastbourne
“This generous funding will help us at Willingdon Trees Community Centre hugely, with the ever rising costs of heating and lighting. We always want the Community Centre to be a warm, welcoming space for everyone in the community and this funding will help us do exactly that over the cold winter months.” - Ellen Ludford, Facilities & Activities Coordinator.
- City Life Church, Southampton
“This grant will make a real difference over the winter months, helping us keep our community centre warm, welcoming and open to those who rely on it most.” - Dan Pooley, Church Leader (Homelessness).
- Oasis Community Hub: Mayfield trading as Oasis Hub East, Southampton.
- Woolston Community Centre, Southampton
"Woolston Community Centre is a vibrant community facility run entirely by volunteers, offering daytime and evening sessions on weekdays for a wide variety of user groups. These include Southampton City Council Day Service and The Shore Pre-school. Weekends are also very busy with the addition of family parties to the mix. To enable all this to happen, our energy consumption is relentless and consumes a major slice of our annual budget, particularly in the winter months. The Southern Water grant is very welcome at this time, to take some of that burden away and ease the pressure on our funds for essential tasks that enable the centre to continue as a much loved and valuable facility at the heart of our community". - Barry Wake.
