24 April 2025

Putting communities in charge: Yeovil's participatory grant-making pilot

Blog post

Written by Kirsty Campbell, Senior Programmes Manager at SCF.

At SCF, we believe communities should be their own catalysts for change. That’s why I’m excited to lead on a pilot project that empowers Yeovil’s Westfield and Birchfield communities to make their own decisions about how funding is spent in their areas.

I’m working alongside Spark Somerset’s Community Organisers, Sarah and Joanna. Based at St Peter’s Community Centre, they’re our vital connection to the community, helping to generate local interest and enthusiasm. 

Our approach supports the global Participatory Grant-making Community which aims to shift power in philanthropy toward those most affected by the issues.

Our 2023/24 Annual Review highlighted that while 8% of Somerset’s population lives in communities ranked in the top 20% most deprived in England, 30% of our funding supported these areas in the last year. However, we still receive fewer funding requests from these communities than we’d like.

The Participatory Grant-making Community report* states: “nothing about us without us.” It’s not just a means to an end but an outcome itself — building knowledge, leadership, relationships, and agency among participants. In this model, donors step back to create space for community voices and lived experiences.

Our approach: Bringing communities together

For this pilot, we brought Birchfield and Westfield residents together to identify their strengths, challenges, and priorities. They designed a small funding scheme where individuals could apply for up to £500 to launch neighbourhood activities.

The collaboration has been impressive, with genuinely insightful discussions throughout. Our £6,000 funding pot aims to build skills and confidence, strengthen community partnerships, amplify local voices, attract further investment, and inform our future grant-making.

Community-led decisions

In mid-May, separate panels of Birchfield and Westfield residents considered applications from their neighbours. The lively discussions revealed genuine appreciation for the creative ideas submitted.

Both areas showed a strong desire to improve their local environment and expand available activities. Whilst Birchfield focused heavily on park improvements, both communities demonstrated real pride in where they live.

What’s been funded

Westfield received grants for parenting courses, craft group equipment, British Sign Language classes, poetry groups, litter-picking initiatives, and environmental enhancements.

Birchfield’s awards included Secret Santa hampers for struggling families, a Sidney Gardens tree trail, community gardening, a book-sharing hut, and various park improvements including dog areas and wildlife spaces.

Some projects can begin immediately, whilst others require collaborative development with ongoing support from Spark Somerset’s Community Organisers.

What’s next?

I’ll reconvene with the Community Panel and Community Organisers to explore the many additional ideas submitted, looking for ways to take some of these forward.

Birchfield residents proposed numerous community events including music and arts activities, picnics, and cream teas, alongside children’s activities.

Westfield’s suggestions included family outings, bingo and cinema nights, pantomimes, exercise classes, a community market, skateparks, holiday programmes for children, and pedestrian safety improvements.

We’ll also discuss panel members’ experiences and how they’d like the project to develop, whilst planning a celebration event for both communities – details to follow soon!

Photo caption: Group photo taken at a recent panel meeting.

*Read the full Participatory Grant-making Community report: Deciding Together Shifting Power and Resources Through Participatory Grant-making