Frome Town Council has announced the results of its first round of community grants for 2026, awarding more than £42,000 in grant funding to local organisations. For the first time, this includes a £10,000 funding pot administered entirely by young people, members of a new Young Opinions Unite panel.
In total, 24 organisations will benefit from funding, including The Kindness Connection, a music group that brings together young children and older people. Community musician and co-founder Willow Harwood says ‘No matter what age you are, music connects us. It’s beautiful to see the different generations coming together and enjoying spending time with each other.’
Alice Caudle, facilitator for Baby Connections, who received £2,000 towards Frome Baby Link, which offers support for parents aged 25 and under, said “Baby Connections are really grateful to Frome Town Council for their contribution towards the Frome Baby Link project. The grant will support our work with parents aged 25 and younger in the Frome area, through one-to-one coaching and visits to our partner groups ( Frome Birth Talk groups, Tiny Hearts and Baby Connections).”
Wild Memories, Froglife’s nature-based group for people living with dementia, received a grant of £1,000 towards group costs. Zak Mather Gratton said “Huge thanks to Frome Town Council for supporting our project, meaning we can continue our Wild Memories sessions. We enable people living with dementia to get outdoors, stay connected in community, and to help nature and wildlife. It really means a lot to have your backing.”
The Young Opinions Unite panel funded projects including Focus Frome’s young people’s drop in and mental health support, Purple Elephant’s ‘Tea and Toasties’ group and a contribution to Frome Pride 2026.
Mayor Anita Collier said “Being part of the Grants Committee is one of the biggest pleasures and also one of the very hardest things I do as a councillor and Mayor – there are always more deserving projects than there is funding and we hope we’ll be in a position to support some of the organisation we didn’t award grants to in the future. Thank you to everyone for your applications and telling us about the brilliant, important work you do to make Frome the place it is.”
For full details of grants awarded in this round, please visit frometowncouncil.gov.uk/event/grants-committee-6/.
