Since its launch in 2016, the Fund has awarded more than £5.5 million to over 275 community and environmental projects across the region. Each year, up to £100,000 is set aside for the Skills Fund. The aim is to provide educational and learning opportunities for people within the fund’s benefit area to help improve their skills and employment opportunities. The fund, so far, has awarded nearly £800,000 supporting 33 projects across the funding area.
Among this round’s 17 successful applicants is the Lancaster District Food Justice Partnership, which received £25,000 for its Food Circles North Lancashire initiative. The project will connect a network of 12 community food clubs with local growers and farms to develop sustainable, community-led responses to food insecurity. Activities will include shared growing schemes, cooking workshops, and seasonal harvest events, helping more than 1,200 residents access affordable, healthy food - an example of the long-term community impact celebrated during the UK’s 25 years of offshore wind and nine years of the Fund’s support.
Dusty Thomas, Lancaster District Food Justice Partnership Chair, said:
“This funding will make a real difference to our community. It will allow us to strengthen the resilience of our local food clubs, build connections between growers and residents, and create lasting change for those facing food insecurity. We’re so grateful for Ørsted’s support in helping us take this vital step forward.”
Imran Nawaz, Senior Advisor and Community Benefit Fund Manager at Ørsted, said:
“The Lancaster District Food Justice Partnership is a brilliant example of how local communities are finding innovative ways to tackle important challenges like food insecurity and sustainability. As the UK marks 25 years of offshore wind, we’re proud that for nine of those years the Walney Extension Community Fund has been open and providing vital funds to create long-term, positive change by bringing people together and supporting projects that make a real difference.”
Other projects receiving funding in this round include:
• Millom Network Centre – to fund a Mentoring Scheme (£35,000)
• Bay Volunteers – to boost its number of Volunteers (£25,000)
• Strive Fleetwood – to employ a Community and Volunteering Co-ordinator for Fleetwood (£24,000)
• Barrow Citizens Advice Bureau – to employ a Telephone Adviser (£23,855)
• Furness Cricket Club – for roof repairs on Oxford Street clubhouse in Barrow-in-Furness (£21,048)
• Silverdale Cricket Club – for the installation of 30 solar panels (£15,000)
• Grange-over-Sands Community Foodshare – to help expand its food redistribution network and food clubs (£15,000)
• Neuro Drop In Centre – to help turn its new community space into a sustainable hub (£12,000)
• Dignity in Dementia CIC – Support Services and Booklet Printing (£12,300)
• Thornton Cleveleys Sports Club – Floodlights for its Multi-Use Games Area (£12,000)
• Carnforth Community Swimming Pool Ltd – for some energy saving upgrades (£10,000)
• Lancaster John O’Gaunt Rowing Club – for boathouse roof and insulation improvements (£10,000)
• Christ Church, Lancaster – for a refit of its community hall kitchen (£9,893)
• ArtWorks Art4All CIC – to help clients on low incomes engage in its workshops (£8,500)
• Lancaster Film Initiative – to deliver tailored promotional video creation workshops to three grassroots organisations (£7,483)
• Music in Hospitals & Care – to deliver a 12-month programme of professional live music experiences for vulnerable people in health and care settings across Barrow (£6,000)
The next application round for the Walney Extension Community Fund closes on 9 January 2026. As the UK celebrates 25 years of offshore wind, prospective applicants are encouraged to apply to a Fund that has, for nine years, been open and providing vital support for local groups and projects across Cumbria and Lancashire.
For eligibility details and how to apply, visit: www.grantscape.org.uk/fund/walney-extension-community-fund
