The 3 Counties Connected Community Rail Partnership (CRP) has announced the launch of its Community Resilience Fund, a one-off grant scheme to support communities along the line.

The Community Resilience Fund aims to support the development of social inclusion and behaviour change projects that link to healthy wellbeing activities and, where possible, encourage the use of public transport.

The 3 Counties Connected railway line runs along the border counties of Cheshire, Shropshire, and Wrexham, connecting the stations of Crewe, Chester, Wrexham Central, Ruabon, Chirk, Gobowen, Shrewsbury, Yorton, Wem, Prees, Whitchurch, Wrenbury, and Nantwich.

Community organisations, charities, and community interest companies within 5 miles of a station covered by the CRP (or who can prove that the funded project they deliver would benefit a community that is) are invited to apply for the funding.

There are ten £2,000 pots of funding up for grabs. All applications must be submitted by Wednesday 29 November 2023. Grants will be awarded in early December 2023 and all projects must be completed by 31 March 2024.

Josie Rayworth, CRP Officer, said: “We are very excited to be launching our new Community Resilience Fund that can be used to support grassroots projects that reduce social isolation and improve health and wellbeing within the local community.

“This grant can now fund new or existing activities that meet the objectives of the scheme and can support both project and running costs.

“I am more than happy to take questions from local groups who wish to apply, and I would encourage people to look at our website for more information.”

Download the application form and find further details about the fund here.

All groups can go to their local volunteer organisation in order to get support with filling in the application form, and any groups with questions about the fund should contact Josie Rayworth.