The Leeds-based supermarket chain said it will transform 73 community spaces around the country through an investment of more than £1 million by the Asda Foundation.
Forming part of its Local Community Spaces Fund, the funding will be allocated in grants of between £10,000 and £20,000 to grassroots organisations at the “heart of local communities”.
This will include community centres, village halls, youth hubs, sports facilities and places of worship, with the grants helping to support a range of improvements, renovations and accessibility projects.
Asda says the funding will provide £71,209 for four groups in Wales, £70,600 for four in Northern Ireland, £154,898 for 10 in Scotland and £899,144 for 55 in England.
The retailer added that this investment will mark the final year of the Asda Foundation’s five-year commitment to strengthening local communities. Since 2022, it has invested more than £5 million in community spaces through its Spaces and Places funding programmes.
Karl Doyle, chair of the Asda Foundation, said: “Strong communities need strong, welcoming spaces. Whether it’s somewhere people can access advice, take part in activities, develop new skills or simply spend time with others, community venues play a vital role in everyday life.
“We’re delighted to support 73 organisations this year through the Local Community Spaces Fund. These projects will help improve accessibility, protect important local facilities and create welcoming environments where people can come together, feel connected and access the support they need.”
Research carried out in January through the Asda Foundation’s Community Insight Tracker highlighted the importance of community spaces, with 79% of funded groups saying they help reduce isolation, 77% saying they help build social connections and 76% saying they provide safe spaces for people of all ages.
Funded groups also identified loneliness and isolation, cost-of-living pressures and poverty among the most significant issues facing their communities today.
The 73 funded projects were selected from 749 applications received from organisations across the UK.
Frankie Frankgate, lead community development worker at Crossroads Youth and Community Association, said: “We are over the moon to receive this funding from the Asda Foundation.
“The grant will enable us to massively overhaul the building, transforming it into a welcoming space and fantastic facility for the community. This investment will make a real difference, one that could be genuinely life changing for people as we’ll be able to continue supporting our local community for years to come.”
