Purpose

This report presents
an application for funding under the Council’s Community Funding
Programme.  

 

An application to the Community
Fund has been received from Natal Bean Foundation CIO requesting £2,500 towards
the purchase of 12 Tripp Trapp Highchairs, which are safe, ergonomic and
inclusive seating for babies and toddlers for use within their café and
community spaces.

 

Natal Bean Foundation is a
Fareham-based early years family hub operating from Ashcroft Arts Centre. They
support families from pregnancy through the first 1,001 critical days and
beyond, delivering accessible community provision including infant weighing
clinics, parent workshops, peer support groups, health education sessions and
inclusive family activities. Their sessions currently welcome an average of 56
parents each Monday, support approximately 28 babies through weekly weighing
clinics, and provide space for two small local businesses to deliver workshops.
Across a full year, this equates to more than 2,800 parent visits and over
1,200 babies supported.

 

Support from Community
Playthings, IKEA Partnership, Howdens and Hopscotch Nurseries Ltd has already
been secured for the new Ashcroft Family Wellbeing Hub project to reduce the
overall setup costs. Natal Bean Foundation would like to purchase Tripp Trapp
highchairs for use within their café and community spaces. As pushchairs will
not be permitted inside the building due to space and safety considerations, it
is critical that families have secure, developmentally appropriate seating
available. This would enable accessibility, safety and equitable participation
for families attending sessions at Ashcroft Family Wellbeing Hub.

 

The total cost of this project is
£2,748. Natal Bean Foundation are looking for £2,500 from the Community Fund,
with the remaining amount of £248 being funded from Natal Bean Foundation
reserves.

 

As of 25 February 2026, Natal
Bean Foundation held £692.56 in their accounts. In the account year 6 April
2024 – 5 April 2025, there was an income of £6,918.88 and expenditure of
£7,032.90.

 

Both Ward Councillors, Councillor L Whittle and Councillor K Wiltshire
support Natal Bean’s community funding application.

 

 

Decision

RESOLVED that the Executive
Member for Leisure and Community approves the award of
£2,500 from the Community Fund.