South Cambridgeshire District Council has announced its latest round of Service Support Grants, committing a total of £900,000 over three years to local voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations.
This significant increase from the previous £167,400 per year demonstrates the council’s dedication to supporting residents’ wellbeing, tackling inequality, and reducing social isolation.
Citizens Advice receives largest share
The largest award goes to Cambridge & District Citizens Advice (CDCA), which will receive £105,000 per year to continue providing free, confidential advice services.
The funding will help the organisation maintain and expand vital support for residents across South Cambridgeshire, particularly those facing financial difficulties, employment challenges, or health and wellbeing issues.
CDCA’s most recent annual report highlights the scale of their work in 2024/25:
- 29,450 client interactions through advice, assisted information, and casework.
- Clients gained £9.6 million in additional income, mainly from benefits, tax credits, and debt support.
- 41,495 issues addressed, including welfare benefits like Personal Independence Payments and Universal Credit, as well as debts such as fuel and council tax arrears.
CDCA also runs targeted projects with local partners, including:
- Income Maximisation Project – personal budgeting support for residents.
- Foodbank Partnership – supporting over 300 clients to gain more than £478,000 in income.
- Work & Health Employment Hubs – helping clients build employability skills and confidence.
- Digital Inclusion Project – providing laptops, phones, and training to help clients navigate an increasingly digital world.
With 56% of clients living with a disability or long-term health condition, and 25% from minority ethnic backgrounds, CDCA plays a critical role in ensuring advice and support are accessible to all.
Other local organisations supported
The grant funding also supports a wide range of local initiatives:
- Disability Huntingdonshire – £12,998/year for independent living support.
- Royston and District Community Transport – £7,000/year to maintain accessible transport.
- Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre – £10,000/year for specialist support.
- Over Day Care – £30,000/year to aid older residents with hospital discharge and transport.
- Hope Against Poverty CIC – £14,400/year for wellbeing programmes.
Additional funding extends to youth-focused initiatives, older resident services, and community health projects across the district, ensuring a broad range of support for vulnerable groups.
Council commitment
Councillor John Williams, Lead Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “We’ve almost doubled the funding available because we know how vital these services are. Every bid was carefully considered, and funding went to where it will have the biggest impact.
“These grants are a lifeline for many local organisations that provide critical services to residents of all ages.”
The 2026-2029 funding round was awarded after a rigorous assessment process by the Council’s Grants Advisory Committee, ensuring that resources are directed to where they will have the greatest community impact.
