Adur and Worthing community groups benefit from Thriving Together funding
Released: Friday, 13 March 2026
We're investing £60,000 to help community groups work together to support residents, with the launch of our Thriving Together grant fund.
The new fund will enable young people to build their skills, help community groups to work together and grow, and improve accessibility for Adur and Worthing residents.
Nearly 50 applications were received from a wide-range of community groups, with five projects successfully receiving grants of between £10,000 and £15,000.
One of the main aims of the Thriving Together fund is to encourage groups to collaborate with each other to make a difference to their communities. Adur Voluntary Action and Community Works were awarded £15,000 to strengthen the local voluntary sector by helping groups work together, build inclusive practice and support communities facing division or discrimination.
Through training, peer networks and practical toolkits, their joint project equips local organisations with the confidence and skills to create safer, more welcoming spaces across both Adur and Worthing.
Sight Support Worthing will also be working with other organisations - to help them better understand sight loss so visually impaired people feel confident, included and supported in everyday places.
The charity was given £10,000 to help deliver free training sessions to employers and community groups across Adur and Worthing that will give them the skills to support visually impaired people and improve accessibility to more buildings and venues.
The organisers of Worthing Festival have been given a £12,500 Thriving Together grant to increase inclusion by working with residents, artist and community groups to develop a new wayfinding trail and an expanded sound installation.
Last year members of the community took over the organisation of the festival, and in 2026 the festival is set to return bigger and more ambitious, with locally-based, national and international talent, and free, creative events that are welcoming and accessible to everyone, especially families and people who might not usually access arts and culture.
Shoreham-based youth charity Esteem has been awarded £10,000 to help deliver a project that supports young people in Adur aged between 14 and 26 who face additional barriers to build confidence, feel they belong and get early help before problems grow.
The project is led by young people themselves, bringing different generations together through free group activities, creative projects, social outings, skill-building workshops, wellbeing sessions, as well as one-to-one support and mentoring.
The new fund builds on the learnings from our Kitchen Table fund, regular conversations with community leaders and the Thriving Together participation programme, which has brought hundreds of people together to share ideas and develop priorities.
The charity Community People has been awarded £12,500 to deliver a project that is in keeping with these projects. The charity aims to connect people and communities and worked with us last October to understand what improvements local residents would like to see at Eastbrook Manor Community Centre, through door-knocking and a drop-in event. The It's On Your Doorstep project will develop that approach by having real conversations with residents on their doorsteps and in local spaces, rather than relying on formal consultations.
Councillor Becky Allinson, Adur's deputy leader and cabinet member for regeneration, said:
“From young people building leadership skills, to neighbours shaping local decisions, and events that bring people together, these projects are great examples of the inspiring work our groups are doing to reduce isolation, improve accessibility and support communities who are often unheard or underrepresented.”
Councillor Dom Ford, Worthing's cabinet member for communities, culture and leisure, said:
“We received many inspiring applications for the fund from groups that are working hard to support their communities. The projects we have chosen for the first Thriving Together fund all demonstrate how they are not just delivering one-off activities, but building skills and lasting networks that create stronger local organisations and more connected communities.”
We'll keep residents updated about the progress of the projects via our website and social media platforms.
(PR26-031)
Page last updated: 13 March 2026