Circles &
Your Community

Small Sparks

What is a Small Spark? A spark of an idea to make a difference in your local area.

With a small pot of money we want to help people to turn their ideas into ways that bring people together in their neighbourhood.

Many people have great ideas but a lack of resources or money gets in the way. Traditionally applying for a grant takes time and co-ordination and it can be uncertain whether you would be successful or not. This can discourage local people from trying.

 

Examples

  • Becky used the £250 to built a little library in the local flower garden, to bring people together over their shared love of reading. The ripple effect of the Little Library, was Cath felt inspired to start a book club. She applied for the Small Spark pot of money to purchase the first months book for each member, and to buy some cake for their first meet up.
  • Jed used the pot of money to repair and renovate the shed on his local allotment, to create a space for all his fellow allotment users to get together for a cuppa and a catch up, and to share gardening tips.

Here are some other ideas to bring people together through Small Sparks:

  • Alistair used the Small Sparks money to help set up a cinema club and people come together around their love of films.
  • Jem used Small Sparks to start a Ukulele group. They bought 3 uekeles that they could lend to people who wanted to learn, and paid for 6 lessons to get the group going. They now meet in the local pub on a Tuesday evening.
  • Gia got her neighbours together to tidy up the alley behind their gardens, and held a garden party for everyone involved and their families.

 

What would your Small Spark idea be?