Neighbourhood Grant - Public Consultation
Below are the selected projects that have made it through to the public consultation page. Have a look through and support the projects that you would like to see delivered.
Voting is available until 5pm on Friday November 6th 2026 at 5pm.
Communities 1st
Project details
A project to extend the current Shopper Bus Service to include a Thursday Town Centre/Shopmobility service. The bus service will be dropping off at New Street, allowing approximately three hours of shopping time before returning to the pick up point in New Street. The service can be used on a one-way or a return basis.
For passengers: £3 each way (£6 for a return trip)
For carers accompanying passengers: £1 each way
The project is readily deliverable as it utilises existing transport infrastructure and proven service models.
Ward: All wards
Amount requested: £5,000
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Thrive2Gether
Project details
The organisation are working to set up a young persons business start up space. Young people aged 18-25 years will be able to work on their plans, build their connections and trial their products and services. They will have a space to build and hone business plans, trial their concepts and build to launch. They will be able to run pop ups at events and at community spaces as well as the organisation's venue. They can bring in guest speakers and specialists from organisations.
Amount requested: £4,985
Ward: All wards
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St. John's Watford
Project details
The school community would like funding to transform an underused pocket park on Cantebury Road into a vibrant, accessible community garden that promotes biodiversity, outdoor learning, health and wellbeing, and community cohesion for pupils, families and local residents.
Amount requested: £17,300
Ward: Central
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Rennie Grove Peace Hospice
Project details
"Funding is being requested to install a modern air conditioning system and Building Management System at the premises.
The project will deliver:
- Installation of energy-efficient air conditioning units in key hospice areas.
- Installation of a Building Management System to control and monitor environmental conditions.
- Zoned temperature management to optimise use of different areas of the building.
- Improved comfort and accessibility for patients, visitors, volunteers and staff.
- Improved energy efficiency and reduced operational wastage.
Amount requested: £25,000
Ward: Park
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Chime Housing
Project details
Funding is being requested to install air conditioning at Leavesden Green Community Hub.
The installation of air conditioning will help future-proof the building against the effects of hotter summers and more frequent periods of extreme heat.
The project will particularly benefit vulnerable residents, including young children attending the nursery, older people and those with underlying health conditions, by providing a comfortable and safe environment during periods of high temperatures. It will also enable the hub to act as a community "Cool Space", offering a refuge for residents who may struggle to keep cool at home.
Amount requested: £20,000
Ward: Stanborough
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Watford Indoor Bowls Club
Project details
Funding is being requested to upgrade and modernise the clubs dated toilet facilities, ensuring the building remains safe, assessible and fit for purpose.
As one of Watford’s larger indoor community venues, the Club provides year-round opportunities for physical activity, social connection and community engagement, particularly for older adults, people with disabilities, and those seeking inclusive, low-cost recreational activities.
The planned refurbishment will deliver fully modernised, energy efficient and inclusive amenities designed to support all users, gender diverse individuals who may feel uncomfortable in traditional gendered spaces. The project will incorporate improved layouts, accessible features, sustainable materials and water efficient fixtures, ensuring that the upgraded facilities contribute positively to Watford’s environmental objectives.
Amount requested: £25,000
Ward: Woodside
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St. Peter's Church
Project details
Demolising the current church hall and rebuilding a modern, energy efficient, accessible building for the community to use. Specific elements of the project that require funding are:
- Commercially compliant kitchen - The organisation are planning to install a full commercial kitchen as part of the new community hall. This will be available for all groups using the facility. The kitchen will meet all necessary Environmental Health requirements.
- Solar panels - The installation of 12 solar panels on the roof of the new community hall. This will strengthen the facility's sustainability, meeting the council's own ambitions in this area. Additionally, this will enable the building to be more financially sustainable, securing its long-term future.
Amount requested: £25,000
Ward: Tudor
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Pump House Theatre and Arts Centre
Project details
Funding to support Phase 1 of the Raise the Roof Campaign.
Phase 1 of the overall plan will address the Theatre section of the overall solution. It includes removing most of the Theatre auditorium and stage section of the building and constructing new foundations, steel work, walls, a new, reshaped roof structure and new theatre technical facilities.
Amount requested: £50,000
Ward: Central
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Watford Harriers
Project details
Replacement of the Timing Office/Announcers Building.
The work will include the removal of the existing building, and construction of a new brick building next to the finish line of the track. This investment will provide a modern, safe and fit-for-purpose facility that will benefit not only Watford Harriers and its members, but the wider Watford community, particularly local schools. The new building will continue to be used by schools in Watford when they attend athletics competitions and events at Woodside Stadium. It will provide essential facilities for the organisation and running of school athletics competitions, including announcing results and supporting photo-finish operations. Replacing it would therefore directly support young people and schools across Watford, making this a community investment.
Amount requested: £30,000
Ward: Woodside
Cathartic Arts CIC
Project details
Improvements to the exisiting facility.
Developing the upstairs workspace will create additional educational capacity. It will enable the organisation to grow their Alternative Provision and provide a dedicated environment for young people who require a different approach to learning. The project will also improve the accessibility of the existing facility. Improvements to the sensory room, accessible interactive technology, specialist adapted creative equipment and physical learning environment will enable people with different sensory, communication, physical and learning needs to participate more fully.
Amount requested: £15,000
Ward:
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Goods for Good
Project details
Funding is requested to provide 4 community events to provide people in crisis with vital everyday essentials needed to survive and thrive. These events will offer a welcoming space where residents can select items with dignity, connect with local volunteers, and access wider community support for dignity and daily life, especially those who may be experiencing social isolation, which negatively impacts their mental health and ability to integrate.
The organisation will partner with frontline charities such as Community Game Changers, Watford and Three Rivers Refugee Partnership (WTRRP), the Grow Hostel and the newly formed Chime Housing Association.
Community Welcome events are specifically designed to encourage integration, creating a safe, positive space for new arrivals and established residents to interact, breaking down barriers and building informal support networks. This is a vital step in better integration into the wider community.
Amount requested: £4,944
Ward: All wards
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New Hope
Project details
‘Welcome Home’ is a pilot-project focussed on preparing for the transition from fully-supported accommodation into independent accommodation after a period of homelessness. This project will support at least 60 single adults new to independent accommodation or social housing. Discrete interventions will include practical skills, advice, emotional support, and encouragement to integrate into the community so they may thrive in their own homes.
This pilot will also inform the work the organisation does with families moving into temporary accommodation and will bring the total of direct beneficiaries to 75 per year.
Amount requested: £5,000
Ward: All wards
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Electric Umbrella
Project details
Electric Umbrella Watford Town.
The organisation are relocating their member sessions to a new building in the heart of Watford, creating a permanent and accessible base for their work with learning disabled people and the wider community. The building has huge potential, but requires significant adaptation to make it accessible, safe and fit for purpose. Funding will be used solely for the works required to make the building accessible and fit for purpose, including the installation of an accessible ground-floor toilet, ramps and other access improvements, the partial removal of an internal wall to create a sufficiently large space for member sessions, essential electrical works, and health and safety improvements.
Amount requested: £20,000
Ward: Central
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Bikepark Chilterns
Project details
"Whippy Trails Phase 2.
The next phase of the project will expand the successful free-to-use mountain bike facility in Whippendell Woods, building upon the strong foundations established through the delivery of Phase 1. The project forms the next stage of the original phased masterplan to create a sustainable, managed trail network that balances high-quality outdoor recreation with the long-term protection of the woodland.
Amount requested: £33,838
Ward: Park
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Cherry Tree Allotment and Garden Association
Project details
Cherry Tree Sanctuary.
This project will transform 2 large-size overgrown plots at the Cherry Tree Allotments site into a flagship accessible and disability-friendly therapeutic gardening space. Designed in partnership with the CTAGA Committee and local community, this plot will feature professional contractor-installed, wheelchair-stable pathways, extra-tall, raised beds, and a permanent, fully covered all-weather seating structure. It will serve as an outdoor sanctuary for North Watford residents seeking mindfulness, elderly individuals experiencing mobility decline, and local rehabilitation groups and community residents utilising social and therapeutic horticulture for recovery supporting health, emotional and mental wellbeing. It will expand the capacity of the site to provide more lessons for local school children enabling a greater focus on provision for children with SEND.
Amount requested: £15,000
Ward: Leggatts
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Watford and Three Rivers Trust
Project details
Holywell Community Centre Safety and Accessibility Improvements.
This project will improve the safety, accessibility and long-term sustainability of Holywell Community Centre through the installation of upgraded LED security lighting. The centre is a valued community asset used by residents, community groups, volunteers and partner organisations for activities, support services, wellbeing programmes, meetings and community events.
The improvements will make the centre safer, brighter and more welcoming, particularly during evenings and winter months. They will support greater confidence among users, protect the building and enable more residents to access the benefits of local community provision as demand for community facilities continues to grow.
Amount requested: £3,933
Ward: Holywell
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WBC - Library Space Public Realm Improvements
Project details
A wider project is currently being delivered within Watford Borough Council to deliver targeted public realm improvements around the Town Hall, to support its reopening in early 2027 with the addition of a café, innovation hub and museum. These works will include improved drainage, better lighting, cleaning, surfacing repairs and upgrades, steps and handrail upgrades, bollard replacements and durable wall treatments making the route to and from the town centre brighter, safer and more welcoming encouraging people to spend time in the area rather than simply pass through it.
The space to the side of the library would benefit from general improvements, as it is currently underused, has poor visibility from a safety perspective and is affected by perceived anti-social behaviour. The Neighbourhood Grant would help fund tree works to open up the space, resurfacing works, replacement lighting as current lighting is insufficient, more greening and new street furniture. These improvements will address immediate safety issues, improve visibility and encourage more positive social use in the space. The project will also explore small-scale biodiversity and family-friendly features, such as wildflower planting, bee and bug houses and incidental play, to make the space more welcoming and more usable for local people. It will also enhance the wider Town Hall Quarter project encouraging people to dwell in the space, creating a better environment for events such as Big Beach.
Amount requested: £63,000
Ward: Central
Vote for Public Library Space Realm Improvement today!
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WBC - St. John's Community Garden
Project details
The project will transform an underused area into a clean, accessible and welcoming space for the church, residents and the wider local community. Works will include refurbishing existing infrastructure, replacing the current paving, introducing additional planting and greening, and providing new seating and a community book swap library. Once complete, the space will be maintained by the Residents’ Association and the church, with support from the local school where appropriate.
The proposal has been inspired by the successful public realm improvements at St Mary’s Church, where the church, local businesses, the community and the Council worked together to create a multifunctional space with wide-reaching benefits. Although smaller in scale, this project has the potential to deliver similar outcomes by providing a safe, usable and inclusive outdoor space for everyone in the community.
Amount requested: £67,788
Ward: Central
Vote for St. John's Community Garden today!
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WBC - Young Persons Outdoor Gym
Project details
Creation of a completely new outdoor gym specifically designed for young people. This will include:
- Selecting a suitable site based on need and land availability
- Selecting suitable age appropriate gym equipment
- Constructing a suitable base and surface for the gym equipment to sit on
- Designing and erecting suitable signage for the facility as a whole and for each individual piece of equipment (how to use safely etc).
Amount requested: £90,000
Ward: Central
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WBC - Baksetball Court - Cassiobury Park
Project details
Separation of the existing basketball facility from the shared space with the tennis courts or the creation of a completely new basketball facility. This will include either:
Erection of a suitable fence between the existing tennis and basketball facilities provided the existing tennis courts and basketball court still comply with the relevant legal sport requirements/guidelines.
Or
- Selecting a suitable site in Cassiobury Park
- Selecting and purchasing of suitable equipment
- Constructing a suitable base and surface for the facility, and marking it out
- Constructing a suitable perimeter fence for the facility
- Designing and erecting suitable signage for the facility.
Amount requested: £140,000
Ward: Park
Vote for Cassiobury Park Basketball Court today!
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WBC - Mildred Avenue / Hardwoods Road Community Space
Project details
This project has been instigated by the residents as they want to take ownership of this under used area within their community. The project looks to refresh the existing space by painting the fence, resurfacing the back of the footpath, adding in a planter, replacing the bin, adding a small book lending library. The residents are also going to hold a competition to design a sign for the area to help to prevent fly tipping.
Amount requested: £9,824
Ward: Vicarage
Vote for Mildred Avenue / Hardwoods Road Community Space today!
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