Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: February 26, 2026

Purpose: This report presents an application for funding under the Council’s Voluntary Sector Support Fund Programme.   An application for Voluntary Sector Support Funding has been received from Fareham Men’s Shed for £446 towards focussed support from Community First to review their current Business Plan, focussing on constructing new purpose-built premises for the group.   This Charitable Incorporated Organisation’s aims are to ‘promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people (particularly, but not exclusively, older men), within Fareham and the surrounding area, from becoming socially excluded, relieving the needs of those people who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society through the provision of facilities in which they can meet jointly or individually to undertake creative, physical or recreational activities, learn or pass on skills and knowledge and support each other socially’.    They are a thriving organisation with 95 members currently and are based at Titchfield Festival Theatre.   Due to the high demand to join Fareham Men’s Shed, the group are finding that their current facilities no longer meet their needs, both in terms of the space required and also in regards to accessibility.  They are developing proposals to build new premises, and require a fully considered Business Plan to understand the feasibility of any options and to apply for appropriate grants.   Their last official accounts from June 2025 listed funds of £52,650 which they plan to use as a contribution towards the cost of the new building.

Content: RESOLVED that the Executive Member for Leisure and Community approves the application to award £446 from the Voluntary Sector Support Fund to Fareham Men’s Shed.