Sefton Crowd Helps Local Ideas Bloom into Successful Community Endeavours

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Local residents, community groups and charitable organisations are, once again, being invited to turn their ideas into reality through Sefton Crowd.  

Sefton Crowd is a crowdfunding programme offering groups a maximum of £5,000 in funding from the Council’s Community Transition Fund. It helps transform community-led ideas into projects that improve neighbourhoods, boost wellbeing and bring people together. 

It is delivered by Sefton Council in partnership with community crowdfunding platform Spacehive. A key eligibility criterion for a Sefton Crowd project is that proposals must show how they will promote civic pride by encouraging residents to improve their local area or strengthen community resilience. 

Projects must align with Sefton Council priorities such as supporting vulnerable residents, improving community safety, and protecting the environment. 

To help aspiring project creators get started, Spacehive is hosting a free online Project Creator Workshop on Thursday 9th July from 1 to 2pm. 

At the workshop, attendees can learn how the funding programme works. This includes how to apply, key crowdfunding targets and timelines. They will and gain expert advice from Spacehive on building and promoting a successful campaign. They will also hear about successful local projects from previous and current funding rounds across Sefton. 

Sefton Crowd has already supported a range of impactful local initiatives. The most recent success stories include: 

  • Rowlands Dell, in Maghull: A once-neglected quarry transformed into a thriving eco-haven promoting biodiversity and wellbeing helping people with accessibility needs. The project gained national recognition after winning the RHS and BBC One Show “Growing Together” competition. 

  • Mason’s World, in Bootle: Developing inclusive sensory sessions for children with disabilities and additional needs, supporting families with accessible facilities and resources. 

  • Dementia Choir in Southport: Using music to support people living with dementia and their families, promoting connection, wellbeing and inclusion. 

  • Lucilla Theatre Sustainability Project in Crosby: Upgrading stage lighting to energy-efficient systems, reducing costs and ensuring long-term sustainability. 

Support live project

There is currently a live project that needs people’s support: 

Scrapyard Studios in Bootle is working to secure free open access music opportunities for young people, creating a guitar group, songwriting club and new 'build a band' sessions. 

People can back the project at:Building Music Projects with Bootle's Young People

Cllr Liz Dowd, Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnership Engagement said: 
“I’m delighted that Sefton Crowd, delivered in partnership with Spacehive, is continuing to make a real and lasting impact on the lives of local people through the wide range of community-focused projects already underway.  

“Each round of Sefton Crowd has shown that local residents are best placed to recognise opportunities for positive change within their own communities.  

“I would encourage anyone with an idea, that will improve our borough, no matter how small, ambitious or different to attend the next workshop and apply for funding. Whether you’re starting something new or building on an existing project, this funding can help bring your plans to life.” 

To join the upcoming workshop and take the first step towards bringing a project to life, sign uphere. 

And watch what a huge success Rowlands Dell have made with the money partly awarded from Sefton Crowd atRowlands Dell Project.