Community Centre Grant

Independent community centres located in one of our five focus areas:

• Eastbourne (BN20, BN21, BN22, BN23, BN24)
• Bognor Regis (PO21, PO22)
• Southampton (SO14, SO15, SO16, SO17, SO19)
• Chatham (ME4, ME5)
• Folkestone (CT18, CT19, CT20).

Centres must:

• not receive core funding from local authorities
• host at least three in-person activities per week
• offer inclusive services for all age groups.

For 2025, we’re taking a more targeted approach to our Community Centre Grants Programme. Rather than spreading support thinly across our entire region, we’ve chosen five areas where we feel we can make the biggest difference:

• Eastbourne
• Bognor Regis
• Southampton
• Chatham
• Folkestone.

Why these areas?

• Greatest need: These communities include neighbourhoods ranked among the of most deprived, facing challenges around income, health, education, and housing.
• Local priorities: Our analysis shows these areas need extra support for things like youth services, skills development, wellbeing initiatives and more.
• Community impact: Each location has a strong network of community centres providing vital services – from warm hubs to family support.
• Building trust: These are also areas where we want to strengthen relationships and show our commitment to the communities we serve.

By focusing our grants on these locations, we can help keep community centres open and thriving, so they can continue to be a lifeline for local people.

In your application, you’ll need to share information about:

• your organisation’s services and how the community uses your space
• how many people benefit from your services
• any other funding sources for your organisation
• the work of your centres.

If you're successful 

To ensure transparency and good governance, successful applicants may be asked to supply:

• a governing document (e.g. constitution) outlining the organisation’s purpose and operations
• details of the committee or board, including confirmation of at least two unrelated members
• a bank account in the organisation’s name with two unrelated signatories
• yearly financial accounts (or an explanation if the organisation is under 15 months old).

For assistance with writing a constitution, the NCVO and GOV.UK provide helpful resources.

Applications will be reviewed by a steering group using a structured scoring framework. Successful applicants will be announced in mid-January 2026, and payments will be issued by the end of January.

Yes, we offer:

• free community talks for local groups
• support at community events
• information on schemes and tariffs for vulnerable customers
• volunteer time from our employees.

Find out how you can get involved.

Yes — we encourage successful applicants to share testimonials, photographs, and display a branded Community Grant sticker in their building to highlight the partnership.

Yes, successful applicants must agree to:

• share approved photos
• provide a testimonial about receiving the grant 
• display a Southern Water Community Grant sticker
• share appreciation content on social media.

You can find the full terms and conditions at the bottom of this page.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please email Community@southernwater.co.uk

This contact inbox is monitored during usual office hours of Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm (excluding Bank Holidays). Please note that we can't change or alter a submitted application on your behalf.