Surrey residents can now apply for cash grants to improve their local area through the re-launched Your Councillor Community Fund.

Last year the Fund (previously known as the Members Community Allocation) funded more than £390,000 of grants to community groups via Surrey county councillors.

This community fund provides financial support to community groups and projects that improve the quality of life in Surrey.

The fund is distributed every year by each of Surrey County Council’s 81 councillors in their local areas.

It can be used across a variety of projects that help promote the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of their communities.

Cabinet member for customer and communities Denise Turner-Stewart said: “The Your Councillor Community Fund is a great example of how even a small amount of funding can make a big difference in the communities we serve.

“Not only does it provide funding for these community projects, but it encourages community engagement and participation, which we know helps to build stronger and more resilient communities.

“This fund is just one of the many ways we at Surrey County Council are empowering communities with greater access to community funding in towns, villages and neighbourhoods”.

Residents are also able to apply for community funding to help deliver small (£1,000-£50,000) or large (£10,000-£2m) projects through Your Fund Surrey, with £60m of funding available, to deliver real benefits in towns and villages across Surrey.

The Your Councillor Community Fund is open now and closes in January 2024.

To apply for money from this year’s Your Councillor Community Fund contact your local county councillor.

One such project supported by the fund is Woking's Canalside Community Fridge, which received £400 funding to put towards storage equipment, crates, and signage etc.

The Community Fridge collects surplus food from local supermarkets and shops helping them with zero waste and thus reducing their costs and then gives it out to the local community free of charge, with no referrals.

The organisation collects fresh fruit and veg helping the local community eat more healthily.

They make sure that all visitors realise they are helping stop food go to landfill and have had visits from local schools who offer breakfast free of charge.

They also help local community groups with their surplus such as York Road Project, the Foodbank.