Recent round of UKSPF funding to support 16 local organisations in Southampton

Southampton City Council is pleased to announce that 16 local organisations have been successful in securing part of £40,000 funding in the latest grants round of the local UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)

Sixteen local organisations in Southampton have been awarded grants of up to £2,500 each from the fund which is designed for projects that support communities to achieve a sense of local pride and belonging. The projects enhance physical, cultural, and social ties and amenities, such as community infrastructure, local green space, and community-led projects.

This is following the recent one-year extension to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). In Southampton, the funding has been used to mitigate the impact of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU Social Fund and undertake a range of programmes across the city that have had a hugely positive impact on local people.

One local organisation who has benefited from previous UKSPF funding and will continue to do so following the recent announcements is Easy Tz meals.

Easy Tz meals, a community interest company based in Board in the City on Onslow Road, Southampton, is using surplus food to create homecooked meals for local people. They offer a varied menu whilst catering to allergies and dietary requirements such as vegan, low carb and gluten free. Starting up during the 2020 COVID lockdowns as a way to reach the community, help tackle food poverty and isolation during the time, Easy Tz Meal’s main purpose is to use surplus food to inspire and empower their team whilst feeding the community.

Tia Binstead Founder of Easy Tz Meals said:

"We use surplus food destined for landfill to create nutritional ‘home cooked’ meals, whilst addressing dietary needs and preferences. Our mission is to fight food waste and empower our volunteers to be confident around food with kitchen training, and the chance for them to develop other life skills. We cater for people at home and for events, as well as supporting with local projects who have food requirements. This additional funding will help us to continue to offer this service to our community."

Councillor Lorna Fielker, Leader of Southampton City Council, recently visited Easy Tz meals to see their Christmas meal preparation in action. She said:

"In Southampton we welcomed recent decisions to extend UKSPF funding for a further year and it was great to see that funding put into action at Easy Tz Meals. The funding is so valuable to local organisations who continue to use the money to invest in projects that have a huge impact on our cities prosperity and drive local progress to support the Government’s national missions.

We are keen for local leaders to retain the freedom to invest in vital local projects that will drive growth, support those at risk of being left behind and boost community cohesion across the UK."