Success stories from our Grants Scheme

8th May 2026 / News archive

Our Grants Scheme offers funding opportunities for local groups, charities and organisations to help support valuable projects and activities across the area.

Applications are open for both community grants and climate and ecological grants. The application deadline is Tuesday 26 May 2026.

Below, you can read feedback from some of our recent grant recipients and learn more about the projects and initiatives their funding has helped bring to life.

To find out more about applying, visit our Council Grants Scheme page by clicking on the link below:

Council Grants Scheme (Donations) • Chippenham Town Council.

Read how the grants have made a difference to these local organisations:

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust – £5,000 February 2025

“The grant supported our annual free event, Country Comes to Town, which successfully took place on 17 May 2025 in Monkton Park, Chippenham.

The grant enabled WWT to be more ambitious with the delivery of the event: they hired and erected two large marquees, invested in reusable displays and signage and were able to cover additional volunteer costs.

WWT were able to create attractive and accessible spaces for their teams to engage with visitors in a meaningful way. From activities for children, families and adults, to information sharing and exchange, signposting to volunteering and Wild Watch groups for children and connecting to local organisations, their teams could share learning and opportunities to engage with nature and wildlife.

The grant also enabled WWT to host a range of local organisations for the day.
An interview with Councillor Kathryn Macdermid as Mayor of Chippenham was recorded at the event and included in their annual impact film.”
You can watch the interview by clicking on the following link. The interview starts at 7minutes and 20 seconds – Interview Video.

Participants engage at green tents during an outdoor event, with trees and runners in the background.

Wiltshire Rural Music – £1,500 February 2025

To provide six sessions of ‘Keep Music In Mind’ to dementia specialist care homes, memory cafés and community day centres for older people in Chippenham.

“We take live acoustic/classical music and singing to isolated older people and those living with dementia. This has well-known wellness and health benefits.
The professional musicians play versions of popular songs and well-known classical music that are well-known by those listening. The musicians interact with their audience and can sometimes ‘play favourites’ or identify music that comes from the eras or genres that will be most beneficial.”

Photograph of two women performing in front of an audience, with one singing into a microphone and the other clapping. The setting is a community or recreational room, featuring microphones on stands, a music stand with sheet music, and elderly audience members seated in the foreground.

Four older people sitting around a table clapping and smiling to the music.

Youth Adventure Trust – £1,500 June 2025

“The generous £1,500 grant from Chippenham Town Council supported 12 vulnerable young people, aged 13-14, from Chippenham to attend Forest Camp in 2025, the final residential camp that Youth Adventure Trust deliver on their three school-year YAT Adventure Programme.

Forest Camp 2025, which took place in the beautiful Forest of Dean in the summer holidays between Years 8 and 9, was an unforgettable adventure and a resounding success! Young people tackled new challenges with courage and determination. Whether exploring dark caves, taking on an overnight canoe expedition along the River Wye or leaping from high ropes platforms, every moment was packed with opportunities to stretch themselves, overcome fears and discover newfound confidence and resilience.”

See an example of their work by clicking the following link to watch the video – Video

Zero Chippenham – £620 October 2025

Zero Chippenham were very pleased to receive a grant from Chippenham Town Council. The grant application was split as follows:

Printed materials to advertise the Community Solar Scheme and Thermal Camera Scheme
Online Facebook advertising for the Community Solar scheme
Draught Excluder demonstration products for in-person Home Energy sessions and events.

The grant has been a huge benefit to Zero Chippenham and has facilitated a wide range of ongoing community outreach events throughout the year.

In-person community events have included Wiltshire Wildlife Country Comes to Town Day, Wiltshire Environment and Climate Summit, Wiltshire Business Event, Chippenham Library Home Energy Drop-in Session, Chippenham Green Open Homes Weekend, and the forthcoming Emery Gate Christmas market stall.”