£1.5 Million Boost Secures Future of Rural Community Spaces in the North of England- test
Test intro - John Rose, Wales Director of The National Lottery Community Fund, talks about the exciting changes taking place in Wales following last year’s launch of our seven-year strategy - It Starts With Community.
Community Action Northumberland (CAN), Durham Community Action (DCA) and Action with Communities in Cumbria (ACT) have been awarded £1.5 million from The National Lottery Community Fund, securing the next two years of the pioneering Community Spaces Partnership.
The funding follows a successful pilot programme and will continue to support a vast network of village halls and community spaces across rural Northumberland, Cumbria and County Durham, helping them to navigate energy challenges, grow resilience, and share learning across the North and beyond.
Originally launched in 2023, the Community Spaces Partnership invested in sustainable building upgrades, governance support, and wraparound advice for over 150 community-run buildings. Many now boast new heating systems, insulation, energy-saving measures and even solar panels - improvements that have halved energy bills and supported volunteer leaders to transform vital community spaces into warm, welcoming hubs of activity.