Council invests over £200k through Westhive in community-led projects to transform West Oxfordshire communities
West Oxfordshire District Council has pledged £218,809 to local community projects through Westhive, a platform that empowers communities to lead and raise funds for initiatives that directly improve and benefit their local areas. In the latest funding round, the Council has pledged its support to nine inspiring new projects.
Councillor Rachel Crouch, Executive Member for Stronger Healthy Communities, said:
“We are delighted to be investing over £200,000 from the Westhive pledge pot in these incredible grassroots groups that have been actively campaigning for projects that will transform and improve the services and facilities that they are providing for our local communities.
“Westhive is all about putting the power into the hands of the community, allowing our residents to drive the changes that they care about and ensuring that the funding we have available for our communities goes to where it will make the biggest difference to them.
“These fantastic projects are joining a growing list of successful initiatives we've supported. But there are still projects that need your support to reach their targets and unlock the funding needed to make a difference.
“I encourage everyone to visit the Westhive platform and get behind these incredible causes. Together, we can help bring even more community-led projects to life and continue making a lasting impact across West Oxfordshire.”
Launched in 2023, Westhive has successfully raised over £612,367 for local projects, showcasing the incredible community spirit and support within West Oxfordshire. Since its inception, West Oxfordshire Council has pledged over £276,939 towards 14 community projects.
Westhive provides a unique platform for residents to lead and fund projects that matter most to their communities and is already making a real difference. Previously funded projects include Cycles of Good, which provides bikes to families most in need and helps vulnerable adults learn new skills; Get Set Gagingwell, which supports outdoor work to improve mental health and reduce loneliness; and Food Surplus Redistribution in Witney, which prevents food waste by distributing surplus food to those in need. These projects, and many more, are transforming West Oxfordshire communities.
Through this latest funding round, the Council’s support will enable several projects, including Witney Vikings Youth Football Club, which will expand their facilities, create more teams, and offer sessions for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. The Eynsham Allotment Association will improve accessibility by adding a composting toilet, planting a communal orchard, and making paths wheelchair friendly. And the Long Mead Foundation & Nature Recovery Network will use the funding to create new meadows across West Oxfordshire, bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds to protect rare habitats and boost biodiversity.
Steve Bott, Chair of Witney Vikings YFC, said, “As busy volunteers, the last thing we needed was an administrative battle BUT the Westhive platform has been impressive: easy to use and well supported. Great job WODC.”
Deb Arrowsmith, The Eynsham Allotment Association, said, "We are super excited to have reached our funding goal - with loads of support from West Ox (District Council)! Now we are forming our volunteer team to deliver the project over the winter and are looking forward to cutting the ribbon (or should that be loo roll?) on our composting toilet in Spring! And in our woodland, here's hoping we can also get those nesting boxes and insect habitats ready for Spring tenants too."
The Westhive projects still actively crowdfunding to meet their targets and unlock their funding, are:
For more information about Westhive or to show your support for these fantastic projects waiting to unlock their funding, please visit the Westhive platform.