Watford Community Fund gives over £43,000 to support residents

From vibrant cultural festivals and community picnics to vital counselling services and support for people facing crisis, the Watford Community Fund has continued to make a powerful difference to the lives of residents throughout 2025.

• New Hope – Funding for a Homeless Health Needs Audit to address the lack of local data on the health inequalities faced by people experiencing homelessness in Watford.
• Watford Foodbank - Funding for emergency food parcels to local people in crisis. The cost-of-living crisis has resulted in an increase in demand, and the Foodbank needs funding to enable them to continue feeding vulnerable households.
• Watford Women’s Centre - The funding is for a ‘Counselling in Crisis’ project that offers free counselling sessions to women impacted by the cost-of-living crisis and/or impacted by domestic or sexual violence, where personal finances have been negatively affected.
• Signpost - The funding is for free counselling for young people. Signpost supports children and young people aged 5-25 in Hertfordshire by providing access to free, one-to-one counselling and creative therapies.
• Alternatives - Funding for Baby Box project, providing essential baby supplies for vulnerable residents.
• Former Plays Club CIC - Funding to support an event with entertainment for veterans and those serving in the forces as well as the local community to mark the anniversary of D-Day.
• Watford Community Housing - Funding for Jimmy Jacket’s Lunch Club, the club provided 642 free hot lunches for the local community, also provides a safe space for people to meet up with their friends and make new friends.
• Society of St Vincent de Paul Holy Rood Conference (SVP) - Funding to help SVP provide a warm, welcoming space, hot wholesome food for low cost, drinks and company.
• Caring Sharing Friends - Funding for a local lunch club for over 50’s, with a focus on the local Caribbean community but open to all. They tackle social isolation and provide activities, friendship and support and a hot meal.
• Watford Jazz Junction - Funding for the Jazz Junction Festival which included a gala show, a jazz brunch, evening concerts and a community afternoon called Jazz Steps that included 25 bands and acts. More than 4,000 people attended in total; 3000 attended the Jazz Steps event.
• Grand Union Community - Funding for free workshops supporting residents to cut their waste, share ideas, save money and cut carbon called ‘Transition Streets’.
• Glen Rovers GAA - Funding for a family fun day at the club whereby everyone could take part in activities for free, and families also had the opportunity after the fun day to take part in Gaelic football.
• Tee Pee Productions - Funding for a new play called Tell Me Where It Hurts with a Q&A afterwards, exploring themes of women’s health, the education system, relationships, and the challenges of diagnosing and treating Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).
• Eternity Community - Funding towards a special event to celebrate the inauguration of the new Civic Mayor Cllr Favour Ezeifedi and was called A Celebration of Togetherness: Watford Community & Diversity Showcase. It included cultural performances (music, dance, spoken word) and heritage exhibitions showcasing Watford’s multicultural identity.
• Read Trust - Funding for two annual outdoor Eid Fun days on King Georges V Playing Field. These events are open to anyone in the community and all children can access the free food and attractions.
• Watford & Three Rivers Trust -Funding to hire event materials for ‘Unity in the Community’, an event hosted at The Grove in partnership with the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, W3RT and Community Action Dacorum with the aim of raising awareness of a range of charities actively supporting the community in Watford.
• 9th North Watford Scouts - Funding was for a Scouts Promise Renewal, a significant event for Scouts. This was their first Promise Renewal event in 6 years, and was an inclusive event replacing previous old-fashioned parades.
• Azam Khan - Funding towards a celebration of Eid Mela in Watford, that helped to foster unity, understanding, and community cohesion.
• Kenyan in Herts - Funding for the Spiced in Watford project, a cooking experience and mental well-being project, that brings people together.
• Watford Chinese Association - Funding for the Chinese New Year Culture Show at Watford Palace Theatre to celebrate and showcase Chinese culture including through dance, songs and performances.
• Impactful Governance - Funding for Pride Picnic, an opportunity to celebrate and bring people together. It was a free event with live music and poetry and connected with others in a welcoming space
• Ghana United - Funding for a summer picnic called ‘Flavours of Togetherness’. This event was open to the community and featured a display of cultural cuisine, music and outdoor games for both children and adults. 
• Friends of Lancaster School - Funding for LanchestFest, an outdoor event celebrating 10 years of this primary school with the community, including music, performances, activities and food.
• Vishwa Hindu Group - Funding for a Diwali event on the Diwali in two locations, the Arts & Craft workshops with Hindu Civilisation exhibition was at the Pump House, with a cultural programme supported by Rangoli Arts & Crafts at the Harlequin.
• Watford & Three Rivers and Friends of the Earth - Funding for the Watford Green Festival, as part of 2025 South West Herts Great Big Green Week (7-15 June).
• KEL Ministries - Funding towards a 2-day music festival, which was free to attend and offered a range of diverse performances including children's dancing, gospel choirs, soloists, musicians and more.
• Ngorli CIC – Funding for an event to bring people together, and to celebrate and raise awareness regarding the local Ghanian community.

Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “The Watford Community Fund shows the incredible strength of our town when people come together. Every donation helps grassroots organisations reach those who need support the most, whether that’s offering a warm meal, counselling, a community celebration, or simply a space to feel connected. By investing in local people and local ideas, we’re building a more resilient, inclusive and thriving Watford for everyone. I encourage anyone who can to contribute to the Fund and help us continue making a real difference in people’s lives.”

The Watford Community Fund continues to welcome donations to ensure that support reaches those who need it most. 

Find out more or donate here