The MP for Dudley has hailed a major milestone in her campaign to secure investment for Dudley after 33 grassroots community projects were approved for funding through the Pride in Place Community Grants Scheme.
The Dudley MP fought to ensure local communities benefited from the Government’s Pride in Place investment and has consistently championed the case for funding to be put directly into the hands of the local organisations and volunteers who know their neighbourhoods best.
Now that investment is beginning to deliver, with 33 community projects approved for grants to improve facilities, create opportunities for young people, support health and wellbeing, strengthen neighbourhoods and celebrate Dudley’s heritage.
The funding forms part of the wider Pride in Place programme, bringing up to £20 million of long-term investment into Dudley communities.
Sonia has championed the programme since the funding was secured, promoting the Community Grants Scheme and encouraging local organisations to put forward projects that could make a lasting difference.
The response from Dudley’s voluntary and community sector was so strong that the Neighbourhood Board agreed to allocate funding beyond the original Community Grants budget, allowing every eligible project that achieved the required assessment threshold to be supported.
Sonia Kumar MP said: “I fought hard to make sure Dudley secured this investment because I wanted our communities to see real, tangible improvements in the places where they live.
“We’re seeing that fight pay off.
“Thirty-three brilliant grassroots projects are now set to receive funding, supporting everything from young people, health and wellbeing and community facilities to our parks, heritage and town centre.
“From the beginning, I’ve argued that local people should be at the heart of Pride in Place. The people running our community organisations understand their neighbourhoods, know where the challenges are and, most importantly, have the ideas and determination to make things better.
“That’s why I was so keen to see some of this investment made available directly to grassroots organisations.
“The response has been fantastic. In fact, the standard of applications was so strong that additional funding was allocated beyond the original grants budget so that every project reaching the required threshold could be supported.
“This is exactly what I wanted Pride in Place to achieve: government investment reaching directly into our communities and giving local people the power to deliver change.
“I will always fight to bring investment into Dudley – but securing the money is only the beginning. What matters is making sure residents see the difference it makes.
“Congratulations to all 33 successful projects. I can’t wait to see these ideas become reality.”
Among those benefiting is Friends of Wren’s Nest, which has secured £17,700 towards a new Dudley Bug Trail as part of the nature reserve’s 70th anniversary celebrations. The project will combine nature, art and local heritage while encouraging physical activity, improving wellbeing and attracting visitors.
Dudley Zoo and Castle has secured £20,000 towards a permanent heritage trail celebrating its 90-year history, while YMCA Black Country Group has been awarded £20,000 to improve its St James Road facilities and create a more welcoming, trauma-informed community space.
Young people will also benefit. High Oak Youth and Community Centre has been awarded £20,000 towards acquiring a minibus to help residents access services and activities, while Strike Youth CIC has secured £19,000 for plans to deliver a youth hub five days a week after school.
The investment will also support projects focused on health and wellbeing. Provision House will receive £4,999 to strengthen its Food Club on Dudley High Street, helping residents facing food insecurity, low incomes and wider challenges.
Bedazzle has secured £19,600 towards two new inclusive community spaces, including a sensory Stay & Play and Role Play Café for children and families, particularly those with SEND, and a dementia-friendly Memory Café for older residents.
Other successful schemes will invest in parks and community buildings, youth mentoring, sport, skills, employment, family support and projects tackling social isolation.
Sonia said the announcement demonstrated what could be achieved when national investment was combined with local knowledge and community leadership.
She added:
“There are people across Dudley who give their time every week to improve their neighbourhoods, often with very limited resources.
“Pride in Place gives us an opportunity to back those people and turn their ambition into action.
“I’ll continue working to make sure every pound of this investment delivers the greatest possible benefit for Dudley.”
The successful organisations will now progress towards signing their Grant Funding Agreements before projects begin delivering across local communities.
