Six community organisations awarded £6,000 through Suffolk and Norfolk Community Fund

Six community organisations across Suffolk and Norfolk have each received £1,000 through a community fund launched by holidaycottages.co.uk and the Suffolk and Norfolk Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP).

The Suffolk & Norfolk Community Fund Initiative, launched in spring 2026, supports grassroots projects that strengthen communities, improve wellbeing and inclusion, and protect the region’s natural environment.

Three grants were awarded in Norfolk and three in Suffolk, building on holidaycottages.co.uk’s previous community funding programmes with tourism organisations across the UK.

Serena Clarke, Social Impact Manager at holidaycottages.co.uk, said, “We are honoured to have supported the Norfolk and Suffolk community through our partnership with Visit East of England, Visit Norfolk and Visit Suffolk via the Norfolk and Suffolk Community Fund. The level of passion and dedication shown by all the applicants was truly inspiring, making the selection process a challenging one. I applaud the incredible work being done by local organisations and community groups to improve the region.”

Laura Gissing, Business Development Executive of Visit East of England, said “It’s wonderful to see that these grants will make such an important impact in local communities in Suffolk and Norfolk. Sustaining thriving communities is an important part of the work of the visitor economy, and we were delighted to team up with Travel Chapter and holidaycottages.co.uk on this initiative.”

 • Westacre Theatre (Norfolk) – funding a community ticket initiative for its 2026 summer season, providing free theatre tickets to local families who may otherwise be unable to attend.

 • Stepping Stones Project (Norfolk) – creating a community pond to enhance wildlife habitats and provide learning opportunities for people with learning disabilities.

 • Iceni Partnership – Swaffham Community Fridge (Norfolk) – purchasing two new freezers and additional shelving to increase food storage capacity and expand the service.

 • Future Female Society CIC (Suffolk) – delivering a programme of ‘Happiness Brunches’ focused on creativity, wellbeing, confidence-building and support for women facing disadvantage, isolation, or hardship.

 • Suffolk Owl Sanctuary (Suffolk) – supporting the rescue, treatment, rehabilitation and release of injured birds of prey through its raptor hospital.

 • Bike Active North Suffolk (Suffolk) – recruiting and training additional volunteers to support more people with disabilities and additional needs to access adaptive cycling opportunities.

Norfolk winners

Westacre Theatre will use its grant to work with five secondary schools, providing tickets for young people studying GCSE and drama programmes to attend its summer theatre performances.

Sadie Grist, Director of Westacre Theatre, said: “We’re so, so grateful for this grant; it’s gone straight back out into the community.”

Iceni Partnership in Swaffham will put its £1,000 grant towards expanding and relocating its community fridge, which redistributes surplus food from local supermarkets and shops for free.

Jacob, Community Fridge Project Manager, said: “The funding will be really helpful in delivering our new premises, giving us more storage space so we can increase capacity, take more donations and ultimately support more people.”

Stepping Stones Project, a Norwich-based charity supporting people with learning disabilities, will use its funding to create a new wildlife pond for students, staff and the wider community.

Laura, a student at Stepping Stones, said: “The funding will help us create a beautiful new wildlife pond to be enjoyed by students, staff and the community.”

Suffolk winners

Bike Active North Suffolk (BANS) will use its grant to recruit and train more volunteers and expand its adaptive cycling programme for adults with disabilities and diverse needs.

David George, Chair of Bike Active North Suffolk, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this grant. It will allow us to grow our team safely and effectively, helping more people enjoy and benefit from cycling.”

Future Female Society will use its funding to deliver a series of Happiness Brunches for women experiencing challenges including isolation, economic hardship, domestic abuse and displacement.

Stacey Runciman, Project Officer at Future Female Society, said: “This funding gives us the freedom to invite women to our brunches, provide free food and cover the cost of the venue. Thank you so much.”

Suffolk Owl Sanctuary will put its grant towards its raptor hospital and rehabilitation work, helping to cover veterinary care for injured birds of prey.

Dolly Cook, Avian Trainer and Hospital Lead, said: “The funding will help in so many different ways. Caring for these birds involves significant veterinary costs, including assessments, X-rays, medication and treatment.”

More information on the winners can be found here:  https://www.holidaycottages.co.uk/blog/suffolk-norfolk-lvep-community-fund