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Hands of Hope was awarded £250 to fund their 'Grow, Cook, Care, Share' project. They have received two Community Grants in previous years towards their growing buddies project and garden wall repairs.

One of the organisers said: "Grow, Cook, Care, Share is providing multiple positive outcomes for adults and children living with food poverty, physical and mental health conditions, unemployment, and social isolation by engaging beneficiaries in social skills and wellbeing activities linked to growing, cooking, food preservation and nature."

Powerstock Open Gardens Weekend 2025 was awarded a grant of £250 towards printing and publicity for the event to help raise funds for community facilities and the local primary school. Hastoe has supported Powerstock biennial fête and open gardens weekends, held on alternate years, with Hastoe Community Grants in the past.

An organiser said: "One beneficiary will be the Weir Sports Field, which will use the funds to repair the cricket pavilion, improve changing facilities and purchase new equipment for maintaining the field. The village church maintenance fund and the after-school club will also participate and benefit. This support all helps to build the community."

In total, the event raised more than £2,000.

Buckland St Mary Primary School was awarded £250 to fund its playground equipment refurbishment. The school has applied for Community Grants in the past for a shade sail, buddy bench, swimming coach transport, landscaping, and school library books. On this occasion, they were raising funds for their school playground, which had fallen into disrepair.

One of the fundraisers said: "There is no separate community playground in the village, so the school playground is open to all outside school hours, at weekends and during school holidays. Many Hastoe residents have children who benefit from using this facility."

Tendring Primary Recycling Scheme was awarded a grant of £240 to help pay for eight new long-handled pickers. They loan out the pickers to local groups, such as Tendring Youth Group (pictured), to help clean up the area. 

An organiser said: "Our aim is to get people outside, encouraging teamwork and educating people on the importance of not littering."

The Chichester Community Development Trust was awarded £250 towards the cost of running their youth kitchen. The trust has previously been awarded grants for equipment for their gardening club, youth club, chatty café and community fridge.

An organiser said: “The Youth Kitchen is a hands-on cooking course that teaches young people how to make healthy, budget-friendly meals. Every week, participants learn new cooking techniques and take home a meal to prepare for their families. This experience not only boosts confidence in the kitchen, but it also encourages young people to develop a greater appreciation for nutritious eating and cost-effective meal planning.”