--- title: Near Neighbours Small Grants date: 2026-09-17T13:03:00+01:00 author: Kate Mulkern canonical_url: "https://cuf.org.uk/take-action/explore-near-neighbours/near-neighbours-small-grants" section: Pages --- --- # Near Neighbours Small Grants Near Neighbours Small Grants go to grassroots groups, churches and community centres across the country, helping them create safe, welcoming spaces where local people can connect, build trust and celebrate the diversity around them. ![](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/images/_1008x567_crop_center-center_82_none/250828-CUFLeedsII-023.jpg?v=1789723959) From cultural festivals to weekly drop-ins, the projects we fund reflect the spirit of neighbourliness at the heart of Near Neighbours. Whether it is sharing music, food, conversation or creativity, these small grants give people the chance to feel seen, valued and part of something bigger. ## Small grants, lasting impact Each grant is modest, but its effect reaches far beyond the walls of the church or centre that hosts it. These are places where people share stories, learn from one another and begin to bridge divides. It’s what happens when local groups are trusted, resourced and celebrated. These grants often leave a lasting legacy. - ![](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/images/_528x297_crop_center-center_82_none/Sanctuary-Sunday-group.png?v=1785936547) ### [Sanctuary Sunday, and weekly](https://cuf.org.uk/about-us/news/sanctuary-sunday-and-weekly) Imagine being one of the 264,000 refugees having fled Ukraine for the UK since 2022. Where to start, and how to carry on? - ![](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/images/_528x297_crop_center-center_82_none/448396750_455482044091104_833780403074403097_n.jpg?v=1789995119) ### [Threads of Nations](https://cuf.org.uk/about-us/news/threads-of-nations) The Threads of Nations project provided a space for a diverse group of individuals in Blackburn to upskill through sewing classes led by a professional tailor. - ![](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/images/_528x297_crop_center-center_82_none/WJ-150725-63-sue-and-chris-Large.jpg?v=1787049185) ### [Love in action in the Heart of St Ann’s](https://cuf.org.uk/about-us/news/love-in-action) What began as one man’s concern for children playing in unsafe streets has grown into a vibrant hub of love, belonging, and hope - ![](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/images/_528x297_crop_center-center_82_none/My-first-Iftar-3.png?v=1786019962) ### [Dates, faith, fasting and powerful women: My first Iftar](https://cuf.org.uk/about-us/news/my-first-iftar) A room filled with intelligence, warmth, love, and an overwhelming sense of community pride Each year, applications are made through our Near Neighbours hubs located in Birmingham, London, Luton, West Yorkshire, Nottingham, Leicester, Liverpool, and Middlesbrough. Contact details for each hub can be found on the map below. If you’re not based near any of these locations, you can sign up to our mailing list to receive updates, including news about any future expansion to new areas. Near Neighbours hub map '; } const map = L.map('map', { scrollWheelZoom:false }); L.tileLayer('https://{s}.tile.openstreetmap.org/{z}/{x}/{y}.png', { maxZoom:18, attribution:'© OpenStreetMap contributors' }).addTo(map); function addHatchDefs(){ const svg = map.getPanes().overlayPane.querySelector('svg'); if(!svg || svg.querySelector('#bhamHatch')) return; const NS='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'; const defs=document.createElementNS(NS,'defs'); const pat=document.createElementNS(NS,'pattern'); pat.setAttribute('id','bhamHatch'); pat.setAttribute('patternUnits','userSpaceOnUse'); pat.setAttribute('width','10'); pat.setAttribute('height','7'); const rect=document.createElementNS(NS,'rect'); rect.setAttribute('width','10'); rect.setAttribute('height','7'); rect.setAttribute('fill','#782484'); rect.setAttribute('fill-opacity','0.20'); const line=document.createElementNS(NS,'line'); line.setAttribute('x1','0'); line.setAttribute('y1','0.5'); line.setAttribute('x2','10'); line.setAttribute('y2','0.5'); line.setAttribute('stroke','#ffffff'); line.setAttribute('stroke-width','1.4'); line.setAttribute('stroke-opacity','0.85'); pat.appendChild(rect); pat.appendChild(line); defs.appendChild(pat); svg.insertBefore(defs, svg.firstChild); } function styleForHub(hub){ const c=colorForHub(hub); return { fill:true, fillColor:c, fillOpacity:0.28, color:c, weight:0.8, opacity:0.75 }; } function tip(feature){ const p=feature.properties||{}; let html = esc(p.name||''); if (p.hub) html += ''+esc(p.hub)+' hub'; return html; } let bhamLayer, wardLayer; function bindHover(getLayer){ return function(feature, layer){ layer.bindTooltip(tip(feature), { sticky:true, direction:'top', className:'parish-tip', offset:[0,-4] }); layer.on('mouseover', function(){ this.setStyle({ weight:2.4, fillOpacity:0.5, color:'#1f2328' }); this.bringToFront(); }); layer.on('mouseout', function(){ getLayer().resetStyle(this); }); }; } bhamLayer = L.geoJSON(bhamArea, { interactive:true, style:function(){ return styleForHub('Birmingham'); }, onEachFeature: bindHover(function(){ return bhamLayer; }) }).addTo(map); wardLayer = L.geoJSON(wardHubs, { interactive:true, style:function(f){ return styleForHub(f.properties.hub); }, onEachFeature: bindHover(function(){ return wardLayer; }) }).addTo(map); const bounds = []; hubs.forEach(h => { const col = colorForHub(h.name); const icon = L.divIcon({ className:'', html:' ', iconSize:[26,26], iconAnchor:[13,26], popupAnchor:[0,-26] }); L.marker([h.lat,h.lng], { icon:icon, title:h.name, alt:h.name+' hub' }) .addTo(map).bindPopup(buildCard(h), { maxWidth:290 }); bounds.push([h.lat,h.lng]); }); map.fitBounds(bounds, { padding:[40,40] }); const legend = L.control({ position:'bottomleft' }); legend.onAdd = function(){ const d = L.DomUtil.create('div','area-legend'); d.innerHTML = 'Shaded areas show each hub\'s activity area \u00b7 hover for names'; return d; }; legend.addTo(map); The fund is part of the Near Neighbours programme, and we are grateful to MHCLG for their support.