The Community's Budget - Your Vote

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Help shape your community – VOTE for the scheme you think should receive funding from The Community Budget

Throughout October and November we asked for residents and community groups to submit a great idea to improve their neighbourhood.

The submitted ideas have now been short-listed against the original criteria. We asked that ideas should:

  • Improve the environment, well-being, or community life
  • Be inclusive and open to all
  • Be something that can be delivered by March 2026
  • Doesn't duplicate existing services, but works alongside them

As The Community Budget is an innovative way for people in Monmouthshire to influence how funds are allocated we think you should have a say in which schemes should receive the funding.

HOW TO VOTE

Please read the short-list below.

Then use the Voting Form at the bottom of this page and then select your TOP THREE.

You have until 4/1/26 to submit your vote.

Thank you to all the organisations who took the time to apply to the Community’s Budget. The fund has been oversubscribed and now it’s over to you, the citizens of Monmouthshire, to make the difficult decision in casting your vote.

THE COMMUNITY'S BUDGET SHORT-LIST

IDEA 1: The Cookalong Clwb

Having run online courses and worked with groups for the last five years, empowering children and families with kitchen confidence, we'd like to work with Year Six in two schools for a half term/6 weeks - creating six hot meal recipes ready for them to move up to Year Seven with independence and an understanding of food - buying, tasting, creating and eating from scratch using seasonal, deforestation free meals.

IDEA 2: Friends of The Hub

The aim of our group is to provide the community with more opportunities to get together through hosting events, workshops and social activities. A survey was conducted at the May Fayre in 2025 and the outcome confirmed what previous surveys had also identified ie. what the community felty was lacking. Following this the Friends of the Hub group was formed, we prioritised the outcomes and started looking at how we could meet the needs of the community through utilising currently “unused” capacity at the Hub facility. These activities are geared towards combating loneliness and bolstering a community “feel” in this local facility.

We also want to encourage inclusiveness for example: The Au Some Café (a group bringing together individuals through raising awareness of autism and the lack of outlets for young autistic adults) support our events and social activities, also ensuring the elderly in our community are catered for. The initial request was for whist drives which has proved to be a success and the next initiative launching a “Tea and Tech”, effectively an internet café, in 2026 where residents can come along with IT issues (eg. phones, iPads etc) and ask advice from our volunteers. This will run alongside fraud awareness sessions.

Other events and social activities so far have included learning opportunities eg. Language skills (Italian and Spanish classes), music quizzes and guided walks around the community.

IDEA 3: Caldicot Over-70s Walking Football – Age Is Just a Number

We propose launching a dedicated Over-70s Walking Football Team in Caldicot to promote active ageing, social connection, and community pride. This initiative will provide a safe, inclusive space for older residents to stay fit, have fun, and build friendships through sport.

IDEA 4: Blue PhoenIx Jazz Band

To help upkeep of the jazz band, for example cost of transport for competitions, upkeep of uniforms and instruments also the running and hire of the hall for practice.

IDEA 5: Gilwern Community Bowling Club

Our recently refurbished pavilion is providing a warm, comfortable space for the community of Gilwern to use all year round. There is however one more project to complete in order to make the pavilion accessible to all. We have a designated space for an accessible toilet and changing area, but it needs to be properly equipped and fitted with sanitary ware, a changing table and an emergency alarm system.

IDEA 6: Inclusive Well-being Through Walking Football

Abergavenny Walking Football Club is seeking to expand its inclusive community programme that promotes physical and mental well-being through sport. Our club provides a safe, welcoming space for older adults and those with limited mobility to stay active, build friendships, and improve their health. The funding will help us reach more local residents, enhance our equipment, and host community engagement sessions that support well-being and social connection.

IDEA 7: Together Tots Monmouth

Together Tots is a weekly, inclusive early-years playgroup designed specifically for pre-school children and babies with disabilities, additional needs, or complex medical needs. Many families in this situation struggle to access typical baby and toddler groups because the environments are too busy, overstimulating, or not suited to their child’s developmental or medical requirements. Together Tots aims to remove these barriers by creating a calm, predictable and sensory-friendly space where each child can engage safely and comfortably.

The sessions will offer gentle sensory play, communication-rich activities, simple movement or music opportunities, and flexible spaces that can be adapted to meet a wide range of needs. The focus is on providing an environment that supports exploration, encourages early development, and allows children to participate in ways that are right for them.

A key part of the project is supporting parents and carers. Families caring for babies and pre-school children with complex needs often experience significant isolation and limited opportunities to meet others who understand their daily challenges. Together Tots will create a supportive, welcoming network where carers can connect with each other, share experiences, reduce isolation, and find community-based support.

IDEA 8: Portskewett and Sudbrook Junior Football Club

We have an issue with dog fouling here at the recreational grounds in Portskewett (NP26 5TQ). We are running a crowdfunder to supply and install a 1.2-metre-high sports fence to prevent dogs running lose and fouling on the children’s play area.

We have raised over 75% of our target and are now seeking assistance to get us to our target. If we don’t hit our target by Jan 15th, we lose a 50% grant we have been awarded.

IDEA 9: Raglan Baptist Church

At Raglan Baptist Church we have a burning desire to serve our local community. We run a monthly community lunch for older people and a weekly cafe and toddler group from our premises on Usk Road, Raglan. We believe that enhancing the outdoor space at the front of our property by creating a well-designed, accessible and attractive community garden will enable us to accommodate more people and a wider range of people to these activities and others that a revamped garden space may allow us to host.

In addition, the garden will be open for visiting outside of the operating hours of the church, providing a welcoming space for the community to gather on an informal basis, to greet friends and neighbours and spend time near the village High Street. It will also be used by our Youth Group that meets on a Friday night.

We have been planning for this project for some time and have worked with a local garden designer to draw up plans that are suitable for our location within the Raglan Conservation Area, that take account of environmental impacts and concerns around accessibility.

In addition, we have invited input from the youth group and the existing users of the Fellowship Centre, as well the congregation.

IDEA 10: Usk Food Kitchen

Prepare, cook and deliver hot nutritious meals twice a week to residents throughout Usk.

We believe making sure they have a hot meal twice a week will keep them healthy and help them financially.

IDEA 11: The Palmer Centre in Chepstow

We would like to pilot an informal craft group called,” MAKERY”, at the Palmer Centre, for one morning each week during January to March 2026.

The Palmer Centre is a fully accessible building, and the project will be open to all. As a group we will begin by making basic handmade items. No experience necessary, participants will learn as we go along, led by experienced volunteers. It will be the opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people in a warm and welcoming environment. Crafts will include knitting, crochet and embroidery and we will also introduce needle felting, weaving and card making as individuals get more confident.

Other organisations in Chepstow host various craft sessions but all these come at a cost, which can make taking part beyond the means of some residents. Because the Palmer Centre has a suitable hall, there would be no room hire charges, just a very small contribution to heating and insurance costs. The project will be run by volunteers, overseen by staff from the Palmer Centre so no additional fees will be incurred. A welcoming hot drink will be provided

Following the pilot project, our plan is to continue to create a collective artwork, with participants creating individual pieces from a variety of media, e.g. felting, embroidery, weaving, that would form a wall hanging, depicting words and pictures that mean something to the participants, e.g. aspects of Chepstow life, or what the Palmer Centre means to them, or stories of their lives etc

IDEA 12: Film Club @ Llangwm

Organise screening a film in Llangwm village hall on a frequent basis, initially once a month during the winter months at 7.30pm. We will need to build up the local reputation and popularity to ensure success. Entry costs must be kept low to make it accessible to all. We intend to test running a matinee free of charge once evening operation is shown successful.

Llangwm is a rural community with elderly residents with few opportunities for people to socialise. We are a rural area with no church, pub or shop

IDEA 13: Abergavenny Lip Reading Group

We wish to carry on helping the hearing impaired/deaf learn the life skill of lip reading. Life for the deaf is very isolating and our class brings together those who are struggling in society to converse and socialise.

The skills and coping therapies we share in class will help the hearing impaired to socialise and mix with hearing people and enjoy the experience and not just sit on the outside looking in. The class builds confidence, and we share information that assists members to use technology such as blue tooth and apps to make life easier for them.

IDEA 14: Netherwent Ministry Area

We propose placing cereals and long-life milk into local schools and churches for families in need.

Families with children who are struggling with the cost of living ensuring children come to school with something in their stomachs.

IDEA 15: Bridges Community Garden

The Bridges Community Centre in Monmouth has a dedicated group of volunteer gardeners who maintain and develop the Charities well-loved and extensive communal gardens. The gardeners work with a group of sixth form students from Monmouth Comprehensive School’s Special Resource Base, who support students with additional needs.

Each week, students with Downs Syndrome, learning difficulties, cerebral palsy, autism and other additional needs, work alongside the volunteer team, gaining hands-on experience in nature and plant cultivation, developing independence, social skills, and employability.

In the recent flooding, the Bridges Community Centre was overwhelmed by the flood waters, with the centre and gardens being covered in waist deep filthy water. Since then they have had to cancel the students coming as the centre is shut and the gardens have been badly impacted.

They want to have the students back to join the team as soon as possible but know that currently after the devastation of the flood, an investment is needed to ensure they are able to offer them the best possible placement when they return. We will need new tools, plants, planters, and they would love to buy a small greenhouse to enable more learning opportunities in the future.


What is The Community Budget?

It's a fund that lets local people:

  • Submit and share ideas to improve their area
  • Discuss and vote on which ideas should get funding
  • Lead projects that matter to them

Whether it’s a new community garden, a youth program, or a grassroots group just starting out, your idea could be the one to receive funding.

Who could take part?

Everyone in Monmouthshire was welcome to apply.

What's the budget?

The UK Government's SPF Capital Grant is specifically for community projects. It has provided £26,744 to fund community-led projects in Monmouthshire. Each area will receive a fair share of the budget.

Have any questions?

Contact the Community Development Team today via communitydevelopment@monmouthshire.gov.uk

Let's build a better Monmouthshire together.

This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.


Help shape your community – VOTE for the scheme you think should receive funding from The Community Budget

Throughout October and November we asked for residents and community groups to submit a great idea to improve their neighbourhood.

The submitted ideas have now been short-listed against the original criteria. We asked that ideas should:

  • Improve the environment, well-being, or community life
  • Be inclusive and open to all
  • Be something that can be delivered by March 2026
  • Doesn't duplicate existing services, but works alongside them

As The Community Budget is an innovative way for people in Monmouthshire to influence how funds are allocated we think you should have a say in which schemes should receive the funding.

HOW TO VOTE

Please read the short-list below.

Then use the Voting Form at the bottom of this page and then select your TOP THREE.

You have until 4/1/26 to submit your vote.

Thank you to all the organisations who took the time to apply to the Community’s Budget. The fund has been oversubscribed and now it’s over to you, the citizens of Monmouthshire, to make the difficult decision in casting your vote.

THE COMMUNITY'S BUDGET SHORT-LIST

IDEA 1: The Cookalong Clwb

Having run online courses and worked with groups for the last five years, empowering children and families with kitchen confidence, we'd like to work with Year Six in two schools for a half term/6 weeks - creating six hot meal recipes ready for them to move up to Year Seven with independence and an understanding of food - buying, tasting, creating and eating from scratch using seasonal, deforestation free meals.

IDEA 2: Friends of The Hub

The aim of our group is to provide the community with more opportunities to get together through hosting events, workshops and social activities. A survey was conducted at the May Fayre in 2025 and the outcome confirmed what previous surveys had also identified ie. what the community felty was lacking. Following this the Friends of the Hub group was formed, we prioritised the outcomes and started looking at how we could meet the needs of the community through utilising currently “unused” capacity at the Hub facility. These activities are geared towards combating loneliness and bolstering a community “feel” in this local facility.

We also want to encourage inclusiveness for example: The Au Some Café (a group bringing together individuals through raising awareness of autism and the lack of outlets for young autistic adults) support our events and social activities, also ensuring the elderly in our community are catered for. The initial request was for whist drives which has proved to be a success and the next initiative launching a “Tea and Tech”, effectively an internet café, in 2026 where residents can come along with IT issues (eg. phones, iPads etc) and ask advice from our volunteers. This will run alongside fraud awareness sessions.

Other events and social activities so far have included learning opportunities eg. Language skills (Italian and Spanish classes), music quizzes and guided walks around the community.

IDEA 3: Caldicot Over-70s Walking Football – Age Is Just a Number

We propose launching a dedicated Over-70s Walking Football Team in Caldicot to promote active ageing, social connection, and community pride. This initiative will provide a safe, inclusive space for older residents to stay fit, have fun, and build friendships through sport.

IDEA 4: Blue PhoenIx Jazz Band

To help upkeep of the jazz band, for example cost of transport for competitions, upkeep of uniforms and instruments also the running and hire of the hall for practice.

IDEA 5: Gilwern Community Bowling Club

Our recently refurbished pavilion is providing a warm, comfortable space for the community of Gilwern to use all year round. There is however one more project to complete in order to make the pavilion accessible to all. We have a designated space for an accessible toilet and changing area, but it needs to be properly equipped and fitted with sanitary ware, a changing table and an emergency alarm system.

IDEA 6: Inclusive Well-being Through Walking Football

Abergavenny Walking Football Club is seeking to expand its inclusive community programme that promotes physical and mental well-being through sport. Our club provides a safe, welcoming space for older adults and those with limited mobility to stay active, build friendships, and improve their health. The funding will help us reach more local residents, enhance our equipment, and host community engagement sessions that support well-being and social connection.

IDEA 7: Together Tots Monmouth

Together Tots is a weekly, inclusive early-years playgroup designed specifically for pre-school children and babies with disabilities, additional needs, or complex medical needs. Many families in this situation struggle to access typical baby and toddler groups because the environments are too busy, overstimulating, or not suited to their child’s developmental or medical requirements. Together Tots aims to remove these barriers by creating a calm, predictable and sensory-friendly space where each child can engage safely and comfortably.

The sessions will offer gentle sensory play, communication-rich activities, simple movement or music opportunities, and flexible spaces that can be adapted to meet a wide range of needs. The focus is on providing an environment that supports exploration, encourages early development, and allows children to participate in ways that are right for them.

A key part of the project is supporting parents and carers. Families caring for babies and pre-school children with complex needs often experience significant isolation and limited opportunities to meet others who understand their daily challenges. Together Tots will create a supportive, welcoming network where carers can connect with each other, share experiences, reduce isolation, and find community-based support.

IDEA 8: Portskewett and Sudbrook Junior Football Club

We have an issue with dog fouling here at the recreational grounds in Portskewett (NP26 5TQ). We are running a crowdfunder to supply and install a 1.2-metre-high sports fence to prevent dogs running lose and fouling on the children’s play area.

We have raised over 75% of our target and are now seeking assistance to get us to our target. If we don’t hit our target by Jan 15th, we lose a 50% grant we have been awarded.

IDEA 9: Raglan Baptist Church

At Raglan Baptist Church we have a burning desire to serve our local community. We run a monthly community lunch for older people and a weekly cafe and toddler group from our premises on Usk Road, Raglan. We believe that enhancing the outdoor space at the front of our property by creating a well-designed, accessible and attractive community garden will enable us to accommodate more people and a wider range of people to these activities and others that a revamped garden space may allow us to host.

In addition, the garden will be open for visiting outside of the operating hours of the church, providing a welcoming space for the community to gather on an informal basis, to greet friends and neighbours and spend time near the village High Street. It will also be used by our Youth Group that meets on a Friday night.

We have been planning for this project for some time and have worked with a local garden designer to draw up plans that are suitable for our location within the Raglan Conservation Area, that take account of environmental impacts and concerns around accessibility.

In addition, we have invited input from the youth group and the existing users of the Fellowship Centre, as well the congregation.

IDEA 10: Usk Food Kitchen

Prepare, cook and deliver hot nutritious meals twice a week to residents throughout Usk.

We believe making sure they have a hot meal twice a week will keep them healthy and help them financially.

IDEA 11: The Palmer Centre in Chepstow

We would like to pilot an informal craft group called,” MAKERY”, at the Palmer Centre, for one morning each week during January to March 2026.

The Palmer Centre is a fully accessible building, and the project will be open to all. As a group we will begin by making basic handmade items. No experience necessary, participants will learn as we go along, led by experienced volunteers. It will be the opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people in a warm and welcoming environment. Crafts will include knitting, crochet and embroidery and we will also introduce needle felting, weaving and card making as individuals get more confident.

Other organisations in Chepstow host various craft sessions but all these come at a cost, which can make taking part beyond the means of some residents. Because the Palmer Centre has a suitable hall, there would be no room hire charges, just a very small contribution to heating and insurance costs. The project will be run by volunteers, overseen by staff from the Palmer Centre so no additional fees will be incurred. A welcoming hot drink will be provided

Following the pilot project, our plan is to continue to create a collective artwork, with participants creating individual pieces from a variety of media, e.g. felting, embroidery, weaving, that would form a wall hanging, depicting words and pictures that mean something to the participants, e.g. aspects of Chepstow life, or what the Palmer Centre means to them, or stories of their lives etc

IDEA 12: Film Club @ Llangwm

Organise screening a film in Llangwm village hall on a frequent basis, initially once a month during the winter months at 7.30pm. We will need to build up the local reputation and popularity to ensure success. Entry costs must be kept low to make it accessible to all. We intend to test running a matinee free of charge once evening operation is shown successful.

Llangwm is a rural community with elderly residents with few opportunities for people to socialise. We are a rural area with no church, pub or shop

IDEA 13: Abergavenny Lip Reading Group

We wish to carry on helping the hearing impaired/deaf learn the life skill of lip reading. Life for the deaf is very isolating and our class brings together those who are struggling in society to converse and socialise.

The skills and coping therapies we share in class will help the hearing impaired to socialise and mix with hearing people and enjoy the experience and not just sit on the outside looking in. The class builds confidence, and we share information that assists members to use technology such as blue tooth and apps to make life easier for them.

IDEA 14: Netherwent Ministry Area

We propose placing cereals and long-life milk into local schools and churches for families in need.

Families with children who are struggling with the cost of living ensuring children come to school with something in their stomachs.

IDEA 15: Bridges Community Garden

The Bridges Community Centre in Monmouth has a dedicated group of volunteer gardeners who maintain and develop the Charities well-loved and extensive communal gardens. The gardeners work with a group of sixth form students from Monmouth Comprehensive School’s Special Resource Base, who support students with additional needs.

Each week, students with Downs Syndrome, learning difficulties, cerebral palsy, autism and other additional needs, work alongside the volunteer team, gaining hands-on experience in nature and plant cultivation, developing independence, social skills, and employability.

In the recent flooding, the Bridges Community Centre was overwhelmed by the flood waters, with the centre and gardens being covered in waist deep filthy water. Since then they have had to cancel the students coming as the centre is shut and the gardens have been badly impacted.

They want to have the students back to join the team as soon as possible but know that currently after the devastation of the flood, an investment is needed to ensure they are able to offer them the best possible placement when they return. We will need new tools, plants, planters, and they would love to buy a small greenhouse to enable more learning opportunities in the future.


What is The Community Budget?

It's a fund that lets local people:

  • Submit and share ideas to improve their area
  • Discuss and vote on which ideas should get funding
  • Lead projects that matter to them

Whether it’s a new community garden, a youth program, or a grassroots group just starting out, your idea could be the one to receive funding.

Who could take part?

Everyone in Monmouthshire was welcome to apply.

What's the budget?

The UK Government's SPF Capital Grant is specifically for community projects. It has provided £26,744 to fund community-led projects in Monmouthshire. Each area will receive a fair share of the budget.

Have any questions?

Contact the Community Development Team today via communitydevelopment@monmouthshire.gov.uk

Let's build a better Monmouthshire together.

This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.


  • Voting Form

    Please choose your top three ideas on this short-list that you believe would make the most difference to communities. Thank you!

    Vote here
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Page last updated: 19 Dec 2025, 11:56 AM