Legacy fund promotes equality, inclusion and community cohesion

We’ve invested more than £30,000 in 16 Leeds community organisations thanks to Community Action Microgrants.  

The Community Action Microgrants programme, established by Mick Ward and Gill Crawshaw, celebrates the memory of Mick’s son Louie Ward Herbert – a dedicated activist and community organiser. Continuing Louie’s legacy, the fund supports citizen-led projects and community development activity. 

Thanks to their grants, community organisations will promote equality and inclusion, directly support disadvantaged groups, work to reduce poverty, and increase connections between people at a neighbourhood level. 

The organisations that have been awarded funding through the first round of the programme are Angels of Freedom, Beeston Hill Community Association, Better Beeston, Conversation Club Leeds, Elders with Roots, Green Wood Housing Cooperative, Incredible Edible Crossgates & Cleaner Crossgates, Karma Dance (Mental Health & Trauma) CIC, Killingbeck Community Charity, Manorfield Hall, Mokkha CIC, Project Hope Leeds, Season Well CIC, That Name Woman, The Ethiopian EDIR Association Leeds West Yorkshire and The Skate Scholarship CIC. 

The projects they’ll deliver range from community gardening and cooking for wellbeing, to a mutual aid group and inclusive movement workshops. Some organisations will also use the funding to support their own development, enhancing their sustainability. 

Over the coming months, Chapel FM will be interviewing some of the funded organisations to learn more about their projects and the impact this funding will have on them and their communities. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and X to see when we share these. 

We’re honoured that Mick and Gill have trusted us as their partners on this special grants programme, and we look forward to sharing its impact when the grants are complete.