Libraries Connected is very pleased that the Know Your Neighbourhood Fund has been extended for another year, a decision that highlights the opportunities created via the programme so far.

The Know Your Neighbourhood Fund was scheduled to run until March 2025. It has now been extended until March 2026 with an additional up to £4.5 million of government funding. Of the up to £4.5 million, Arts Council England will deliver up to £1.5 million, Historic England will deliver up to £250,000, and UK Community Foundations (UKCF), in partnership with community foundations, will deliver up to £2.6 million.

This extension is recognition of the success the Fund has had in creating new opportunities to build social connections, as part of the programme’s efforts to reduce the proportion of chronically lonely people in targeted high-deprivation local authorities. A related aim of the Fund is to increase the number of people in these areas who volunteer at least once a month. Additionally, this year, funded projects involving the same local authority areas will also be focusing on activities which reduce loneliness stigma and also build social cohesion within communities.

Notable uses of funding made available by the programme include a free ‘Chatty Café’ at Bideford Library, part of Libraries Unlimited. Joyce, a volunteer at Bideford, says volunteering at the Café has helped her deal with the loss of her husband. “Coming to the Chatty Café has been absolutely brilliant,” she says. “Better than a bag of gold!”. 

Visitors to the Café say it has helped considerably with their feelings of loneliness that were exacerbated by the Covid 19 pandemic. “The stress and loneliness of Covid left deep scars on many single people, Chatty Café regular Will says. “Adding the Chatty Café and library to my weekly routine has had a positive effect, and I have recommended it to others. They even provided gluten-free soup for me. I felt quite moved by that kindness. Individually these caring gestures are helpful, but collectively they have had a powerful accumulative effect that is emotionally healing.”

Isobel Hunter MBE, Chief Executive of Libraries Connected, said: 

“I’m delighted that Know Your Neighbourhood has been extended for an additional year. The stories that have come out of the project so far are inspiring. The extra year means that many more vulnerable people will receive support. It also gives libraries additional time and resources to share what they have learned from running these Projects.”