Improving the health and wellbeing of communities is at the forefront of a new grants programme launched by Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, with funding of up to £1,000 available for local community groups.

Partners of Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park have contributed towards the Legacy Fund, which is aimed at community organisations providing services and activities that help support physical and mental health and wellbeing, and reduce social isolation.

Administered by South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF), the Legacy Fund will welcome applications from grassroots community organisations within a three mile radius of Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park.

Community groups keen to deliver sessions around the programme’s objectives are encouraged to apply, especially those tackling issues affecting the most vulnerable sections of society.

Claire Fretwell, Operations Manager at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, said: “We’re delighted to be able to launch the Legacy Fund, which reflects Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park’s ambition to positively impact the mental and physical health and wellbeing of people in our local communities.

“We’re also very thankful to the organisations who have kindly contributed to the launch of the fund, sharing our commitment to creating a healthier, happier future and making a real difference in local people’s lives.”

It is hoped the delivery of this programme will honour the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the legacy being delivered across Sheffield through the four themes of Sport, Community, Environment and Economy.

Ruth Willis, SYCF Chief Executive said: “As the days start to get longer, it could not be a better time for community groups to deliver activities that help people’s physical and mental wellbeing around Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park.

“SYCF provides funding to a wide range of community groups, some of whom have physical activities and support around mental health at the core of what they do. We look forward to groups taking on the challenge of these small grants to deliver big healthy outcomes.”

The initial funds were raised through an ‘Olympic Legacy in Action’ event in 2022 which celebrated the 10th anniversary of the London 2012 Games. Organisations contributing to the fund include the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, B Braun, Canon Medical Systems, CMS, Forged Solutions Group, Green Piling, GRI Group, Gripple, Lightfoot Wines, LivingCare, Meadowhall, NOCN Group, Pressure Technologies, Reyt, Scarborough Group International, Sheffield Forgemasters, Sheffield Hallam University, Sytner BMW Sheffield, Sytner Land Rover Sheffield, Westfield Health, and WPBSA.

As part of the Olympic Legacy in Action event, and as a pre-cursor to the launch of the Legacy Fund, a donation was made to local community group Darnall Education & Sports Academy who will use the funds to purchase sensory equipment to deliver specialist sessions for young people with learning difficulties and autism.

Application information is ready to view at SYCF’s website: https://ukcommunityfoundation.my.salesforce-sites.com/forms/SouthYorkshireCF/LPSmallGrant

Live Date: Tuesday 2 May at 9am. Deadline: Tuesday 13 June at 12 noon.

Pictured: Darnall Education & Sports Academy delivering a sports session at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park.