£1.5 Million Boost Secures Future of Rural Community Spaces in the North of England

A pioneering partnership representing 900 community spaces across three counties has been awarded £1.5 million to continue to support rural communities.

The partnership has become a national model for how place-based working, grassroots knowledge and expert guidance can deliver social, economic, and environmental benefits, including:
- Halving energy use and costs through energy-efficient upgrades, such as solar panels, better insulation and sustainable heating solutions
- Increased use of spaces for social activities and intergenerational events, helping to reduce isolation and improve community cohesion
- Future-proofing buildings, including major structural improvements and modernisations to improve accessibility
- Enhanced resilience, enabling trustees and volunteers to put policies in place, tackle legal and lease challenges, and prepare for future funding applications

Community Action Northumberland (CAN), Durham Community Action (DCA) and Action with Communities in Cumbria (ACT) have been awarded £1.5 million from The National Lottery Community Fund, securing the next two years of the pioneering Community Spaces Partnership.

The funding follows a successful pilot programme and will continue to support a vast network of village halls and community spaces across rural Northumberland, Cumbria and County Durham, helping them to navigate energy challenges, grow resilience, and share learning across the North and beyond.

Originally launched in 2023, the Community Spaces Partnership invested in sustainable building upgrades, governance support, and wraparound advice for over 150 community-run buildings. Many now boast new heating systems, insulation, energy-saving measures and even solar panels - improvements that have halved energy bills and supported volunteer leaders to transform vital community spaces into warm, welcoming hubs of activity.

Community Spaces Partnership gathering at Allendale Town Hall with Dame Julia Cleverdon and John Mothersole (Photo credit Evie Tate at NICRE)

The partnership has become a national model for how place-based working, grassroots knowledge and expert guidance can future-proof the heart of rural communities. An evaluation led by the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) showed that the programme didn’t just deliver physical improvements - it built capacity, confidence and community spirit. Many spaces have already gone on to secure extra funding, host new services, and run greener, more inclusive spaces. Young people, older residents, local businesses, and volunteer trustees have all benefited.

The National Lottery Community Fund awards grants to strengthen society and improve lives across the UK. Thanks to National Lottery players, it will distribute at least £4 billion by 2030, supporting activities that create resilient communities that are more inclusive and environmentally sustainable.

On a visit to Allendale Village Hall in Northumberland to meet trustees and volunteers from all three counties, Dame Julia Cleverdon DCVO CBE, Chair of The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “Village halls and community spaces are more than just buildings - they are the beating heart of rural life and I'm delighted that National Lottery players are making this vital work possible across Northumberland, Cumbria and County Durham. It’s inspiring to hear what's already been achieved and by investing a further £1.5million into their future through sustainable upgrades and capacity building, we're not only helping communities reduce their carbon footprint and tackle rising energy costs, but we're creating spaces where people of all generations can connect, combat isolation and build stronger, more resilient communities. The National Lottery Community Fund is committed to supporting environmentally sustainable solutions that bring lasting benefits and this collaboration exemplifies what can be achieved when partners come together with shared purpose and vision; by sharing their learning has implications for the rest of the sector, indeed the rest of the country.”

Andy Dean, Chief Executive of CAN, said: “We’re absolutely delighted The National Lottery Community Fund has backed the next phase of this work. The pilot proved that when you pair funding with proper support - trusted local advice, realistic guidance, and personal relationships - you get fantastic value for money and long-term benefits for communities. This funding means we can keep going, reach even more places, and build an even stronger future together.”

National Lottery players raise over £30 million a week for good causes across the UK. Thanks to them, last year (2023/24) The National Lottery Community Fund awarded over half a billion pounds (£686.3 million) of life-changing funding to communities across the UK, supporting over 13,700 projects to turn their great ideas into reality. 

To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk

Date published: 12 May, 2025
Region: England (North West, North East)

Notes to Editors

NICRE’s evaluation of the Community Spaces Partnership, including links to case studies:
https://nicre.co.uk/innovation-portal/community-spaces-partnership/

About The National Lottery Community Fund

We are the largest non-statutory community funder in the UK – community is at the heart of our purpose, vision and name.

We support activities that create resilient communities that are more inclusive and environmentally sustainable and that will strengthen society and improve lives across the UK.

We’re proud to award money raised by National Lottery players to communities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and to work closely with government to distribute vital grants and funding from key government programmes and initiatives.

As well as responding to what communities tell us is important to them, our funding is focused on four key missions, supporting communities to:

1. Come together

2. Be environmentally sustainable

3. Help children and young people thrive

4. Enable people to live healthier lives.

Thanks to the support of National Lottery players, we distribute over £600 million a year through 13,000+ grants and plan to invest over £4 billion of funding into communities by 2030. We’re privileged to be able to work with the smallest of local groups right up to UK-wide charities, enabling people and communities to bring their ambitions to life.

National Lottery players raise over £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK. Since The National Lottery began in 1994, £49 billion has been raised and more than 690,000 individual grants have been made across the UK - the equivalent of around 240 National Lottery grants in every UK postcode district.

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