New Thriving Together grant fund for Adur and Worthing community groups launches
Released: Thursday, 04 December 2025
Adur & Worthing Councils have launched a new grant fund to enable community groups to work together to support residents with the cost of living and building connections.
The Thriving Together grant fund is open to community groups, voluntary organisations and social enterprises, either based or working in Adur and Worthing, that want to collaborate with each other to make a difference to their communities.
Grants between £5,000 and £15,000 will be available to groups working together to:
- make life easier for residents during the cost of living crisis
- build connection and belonging across different communities
- offer earlier support so problems don't grow
- develop community skills across groups
Groups will be able to use the money to fund activities or events, as well as staff time and volunteer expenses, training, shared tools and resources, and practical costs including venue hire, insurance or equipment.
They are also required to create something practical that others can use or repeat, such as physical resources, shared spaces or joint support models.
The new fund will build on the learnings from our recent Kitchen Table fund, regular conversations with community leaders and the Thriving Together programme.
Since launching in May 2025, our Thriving Together programme has brought hundreds of people together to share ideas and develop priorities.
The process produced a People's Vision with seven aims and 21 actions covering priorities that include keeping decisions local, investing in community and culture, creating better places, and focusing on young people.
These outcomes have already helped shape big changes - from the local government reorganisation (LGR) submission in September to the creation of our new corporate strategy, called Fair, Green & Local - and now, the way we support community action.
We expect to fund between four and eight joint projects in 2025/26 from a pot of £60,000, split equally between Adur and Worthing.
Cllr Sharon Sluman, Adur's cabinet member for communities and wellbeing, said:
“I'm especially pleased that this model of grant funding will encourage groups to produce things that others can use to learn and grow - ultimately leaving a longer-term impact. Working together means groups will be able to share expertise and resources, help more people and avoid duplication.”
Cllr Dom Ford, Worthing's cabinet member for communities, culture and leisure, said:
“It's rewarding to see the priorities identified by the community through Thriving Together now being applied to practical projects like this new grant. We are lucky to have a rich community, voluntary and social enterprise sector in Worthing, and I'm looking forward to hearing groups' ideas for supporting our communities.”
There will be a chance for groups to test their ideas and ask questions at a series of drop-in sessions this month.
To find out more and apply by Wednesday 31st December 2025, see:
(PR25-095)
Page last updated: 10 December 2025