North Herts Council has allocated £3,479 to three community initiatives in the Royston area, following recommendations from its Royston and Villages Community Forum. The grants aim to bolster vital local services.
Caring Herts CIC received £1,485 towards venue hire for its Royston Community Wellbeing Hub, held weekly at Coombes Community Centre. This hub supports over 50 older residents experiencing loneliness and social isolation by providing companionship, activities, and advice. Established this year, the organisation now runs 15 hubs weekly across North Herts and Stevenage.
Richard Julian, Director of Caring Herts CIC, expressed gratitude for the funding, stating, “We are extremely grateful to the Royston and Villages Community Forum for this funding which will enable to continue to host our weekly Wellbeing Hub every Tuesday 10:30am – 12:30pm at the Coombes Community Centre on Burns Road. Many older people already benefit from attending this, but we would love to offer it to more people to help them feel happier, healthier and less lonely. We plan to use the funding to help us reach out to more people in the community and offer our services to them.”
Herts Visual Arts was awarded £1,494 for a programme of free art workshops as part of the Big Makers’ Fair at Royston Town Hall on 14 and 15 November 2026. The workshops will offer residents opportunities to try printmaking, weaving, collage, drawing, and mixed media. Up to 150 people can participate, with local artists sharing their skills.
Val Lawson, Head of Community Engagement at Herts Visual Arts CIC, commented, “Herts Visual Arts CIC (HVA) is delighted to bring the Big Makers Fair to Royston in 2026. Making art offers great benefits to wellbeing so we hope many of our visitors will join in the drop-in taster workshops. These sessions will allow people to 'have a go' at something creative. With free tuition, materials provided and no need to prebook - people can just come along, take a seat and then the artists will explain what to do.”
Resolve received £500 towards the cost of key workers providing group therapy and one-to-one support for individuals affected by substance and alcohol misuse. The organisation offers treatment, rehabilitation, counselling, and practical support. Six Royston residents accessed the service between throughout 2025 and up to June 2026. Resolve is currently the only drug and alcohol treatment and recovery day service in North Herts.
Gary Sutcliffe, Head of Income, Communications and Impact at Resolve, said, "We are so grateful to Royston and Villages Community Forum for the £500 grant. Our kind and compassionate key workers make a real and tangible difference to the lives of local people so any support towards our vital service is very much appreciated, thank you."
Cllr Daniel Allen, North Herts Council’s Executive Member for Governance, stated, “We are pleased to support projects that make a positive difference to residents across Royston and the surrounding villages. These grants will help tackle social isolation, provide opportunities for people to come together and be creative, and support residents affected by substance and alcohol misuse.”
Further information about North Herts Council grants is available at Community grants.
