Two community organisations in Morecambe have secured a share of new government funding aimed at bringing people together and strengthening local ties.
MoreMusic and The Well Communities are among 212 recipients of the Common Ground Award, a national programme distributing more than £2 million to grassroots organisations across England. The initiative supports projects that foster trust, build connections between people from different backgrounds, and create stronger, more resilient communities.
Lizzi Collinge, the Labour MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, has welcomed the funding, recognising the vital role both organisations play in the local area. The investment will enable them to expand activities, enhance facilities, and reach more residents, helping people across Morecambe to connect and participate more fully in community life.
Ms Collinge said: “I am delighted that MoreMusic and The Well has secured this funding. Their work plays a vital role in bringing people together across Morecambe, creating opportunities for connection and strengthening our community.
‘’This investment will help them reach even more people and continue making a real difference locally.”
At MoreMusic, the funding will support improvements to its venue, enhancing accessibility and comfort for participants and visiting groups.
Marriane Barraclough, Executive Director at More Music said “We are delighted to have received funding from the government's Common Ground Award. We’re a small charity and though our gigs and participation sessions are always amazing - our chairs are not!
“These vital funds will enable us to refresh and replace the chairs and tables in our venue, enabling the hundreds of people that make music with us each week, including older people and disabled people, to enjoy our spaces comfortably.
‘’We know that this investment will also be warmly received by the wide range of community groups who also use our spaces, and we’re thrilled to be able increase the quality of the experience they will have here."
The Well Communities will use the funding to expand its support for women overcoming addiction and trauma, helping them rebuild their lives.
David Blacklock, CEO of The Well Communities, added: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this funding. It will make a real and lasting difference, enabling us to support women to overcome addiction, heal from trauma, and rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.
“I would like to sincerely thank Lizzi Collinge for her continued drive and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of people in Morecambe. This funding shows what is possible when we work together, because we are always stronger through partnership”
The Common Ground Award is designed to support local organisations tackling division, social isolation, and wider pressures facing communities, including the rising cost of living. Funded projects range from community hubs and kitchens to sports, cycling, gardening, and cultural initiatives.
The programme forms part of the government’s broader commitment to empowering communities, alongside the Pride in Place programme, which is investing £5.8 billion in neighbourhoods across the UK. Both initiatives contribute to the government’s Protecting What Matters strategy, aimed at fostering a more cohesive and united society.
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