Community groups along the Transpennine rail route are being invited to bid for a share of £270,000, as the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) gears up to open the third round of its Community Fund.
Applications open on Monday 28 September, and are open to community groups, schools and charities based within five kilometres of the line running between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York, as well as organisations near the Shipley Traincare Centre. Grants of £5,000 are on offer, with the option to apply for up to £10,000 where a larger sum would make a meaningfully bigger difference to a project.
The fund is part of TRU’s wider effort to support the communities affected by its work, backing projects that improve local spaces, help people build skills, boost access to employment, or tackle socio-economic challenges in the area. Since launching, it has handed out more than £400,000 to over 60 groups along the route, funding everything from improved local facilities to activities that bring people together and new opportunities for young people.
Past recipients include Friends of Ravenshall in West Yorkshire, which is setting up a community petting farm and café staffed by people with special educational needs and disabilities, and York’s Lord Deramore’s School, which is building inclusive outdoor learning spaces for pupils with additional needs. Other funded projects have ranged from community gardens to programmes in music and creative skills, plus schemes built around helping people build confidence, learn new skills or find work.
A real difference
Anna Humphries, Head of Sustainability and Social Value for TRU, said: “Over the last two years, we’ve seen the Community Fund support a wide range of projects that are making a real difference to local people. From inclusive learning environments for young people to community-led initiatives that help people develop skills and confidence, the variety of ideas has been inspiring.
“The Transpennine Route Upgrade is a long-term investment in the North driving growth, and we want local communities to benefit from that investment while the programme is being delivered, not just when the railway upgrade is complete. We’re looking forward to seeing what projects come forward this year and helping more organisations turn great ideas into meaningful outcomes for the people they support.”
The application window is scheduled to run from 28 September through to Friday 9 October, though organisers say strong demand could see it close earlier than planned. Anyone wanting to find out more before applying can join an online briefing on Monday 21 September, running from 4pm to 5.30pm, covering how to apply and who’s eligible.
Anyone wanting the full picture on the fund, including how to submit an application, can find it at thetrupgrade.co.uk/communityfund.
