Community project in Stanwell awarded £1.1 million from Your Fund Surrey 

Surrey County Council’s Cabinet has approved an application from Stanwell Events for funding of over £1.1 million towards a new community building.  

The project aims to turn an existing community sports pavilion in Stanwell, currently not fit for purpose, into a modern and accessible building for the residents of this proud and vibrant local community.   

Stanwell Events already supports many residents in the area and this project will enable them to have a long-term base that allows them to expand their service and support more residents locally. 

The community building will provide a space that will cater to the needs of different local groups. Key to this will be extending the programme of community events and activities, such as supporting children and young people by hosting a year-round holiday club, homework club and a youth café as well as expanding the teaching kitchen to deliver more food projects that bring the local community together to grow, cook, share food and reduce food waste. 

Planning permission for the project was granted in June 2022 and the extended facility will add  several spaces to the building including a community café providing affordable drinks and snacks, a multi-use room for a playgroup, youth club and events, storage for Stanwell Food Bank, a teaching kitchen and a  support room for use by partners such as Surrey Police, Citizens Advice, and Home Start amongst others. The new space will also feature accessible toilets and wet room, and laundry facilities. 

Surrey County Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Customer and Communities Councillor Denise Turner-Stewart said: “Huge congratulations to Stanwell Events who have been successful in their application to Your Fund Surrey’s Large Community Projects Fund to create a new community building in Stanwell. The decision by Cabinet to award £1,105,834 towards this project shows that we are investing in facilities for our local communities to build the very best for our residents.  

This will make a huge difference to local residents and help to achieve Surrey County Council’s ambition that no one is left behind, and will further strengthen the brilliant sense of community in the area.” 

Anna-Marie Goodacre, Founder and CEO of Stanwell Events, said: “This funding support will enable our charity to continue supporting the community and grow to meet the additional needs in Spelthorne. The grant will change many lives in the community, enabling us to support future generations and raise aspirations within the community. I’m honoured to see this redevelopment happen for my community and thank our supporters, and most of all the volunteers and team who continue to support journey.”