Ashington Town Council Small Grant Fund: Three Local Groups Awarded Over £1,000
Ashington Town Council’s Small Grant Fund has awarded a total of £1,060 to three local organisations following the May 2026 funding round. All three applications were successful, with grants going to Ashington Social Centre, Ashington and District Male Voice Choir, and Wansbeck Community Links. The funding will support a range of community activities – from a summer beach party for elderly residents to cancer peer support sessions and heritage concerts.
Ashington Social Centre – £200
Ashington Social Centre, a dedicated team of volunteers, provides weekly social activities and a two-course meal every Thursday for ten clients aged between 77 and 99 at Etal House. The group has been awarded £200 to help fund a special summer event for their clients and residents.
An indoor beach party is planned for Thursday 6th August at Etal House. The event will include a buffet for 30 people and live entertainment throughout the afternoon. Including an Elvis impersonator who will kick off the fun from 11:00am.
“We intend to hold an indoor beach party on 6th August at Etal House – a wonderful treat for our clients. The Civic Head will be most welcome to attend, or she is welcome to visit any Thursday between 10:00am and 2:00pm to see the work we do. The donation from the Council will be gratefully received.”
– Diane, Ashington Social Care
Ashington and District Male Voice Choir – £360
Founded in Ashington in 1916, the Ashington and District Male Voice Choir (ADMVC) has been bringing communities together through choral music for over a century. The choir has been awarded £360 towards the cost of two Heritage Concerts – one at Woodhorn Museum and another at Northumberland College.
The choir’s constitution reflects its enduring mission: to advance male choral music and support charitable causes across the region.
“Thank you we are delighted to be awarded a small grant from the Town Council and the news of Caroline’s appointment as Civic Head. Caroline has supported the choir for some years and we are very grateful. Thanks again on behalf of ADMVC.”
– Colin, Ashington and District Male Voice Choir
Wansbeck Community Links – £500
Wansbeck Community Links is a small team of Community Link Workers (Social Prescribers) employed by Cygnus Support, a local counselling charity working in partnership with Wansbeck Primary Care Network. As well as providing one-to-one support to patients at local GP surgeries, the team runs open community activities and groups available to everyone.
The group has been awarded £500 to expand their Ashington Cancer Peer Support Group, enabling sessions to run more frequently. The funding will cover room hire at Hirst Welfare Centre, transport for a group trip, and refreshments and crafts.
“This funding will enable us to run our much-needed Ashington Cancer peer support group more often and for longer plus we’ll be able to treat the attendees to a trip out which will be lovely for them, thank you so much to ATC for supporting us with this grant.”
– Jane, Wansbeck Community Links
Supporting Local Communities
The Small Grant Fund continues to make a meaningful difference to the lives of local people across Ashington and the surrounding area. Organisations and community grouips wishing to apply for future rounds are encouraged to contact sharon.parmley@ashingtontowncouncil.gov.uk or call on 01670 624520 or visit www.ashingtontowncouncil.gov.uk
The next round of small grant funding is open for invitations from Wednesday 15th July, closing date Wednesday 29th July with decisions being made on the 5th August.
