Leicester City Council
Powering Leicester with greener communities, sustainable skills, and brighter futures
We’re growing our presence in the East Midlands by partnering with Leicester City Council on a series of projects aimed at improving the energy efficiency of community buildings. Supported by funding from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, these initiatives will see local NEET and at-risk young people gaining green skills accreditations while helping to renovate two key community spaces in Leicester.
This builds on previous successful projects in the region, such as Flo Skatepark, our current UKSPF programme with Nottingham City Council, plus a further 23 projects previously delivered through the Community Renewal Fund, such as Old Library – the predecessor to the Shared Prosperity Fund.
Here’s a round-up of our work here so far.
Part funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund
SAPA Leicester
St Andrews Play Association (SAPA) provides a safe and supportive space for children and young people to enjoy play, social activities, and informal learning. With both indoor and outdoor facilities, the venue offers everything from arts and crafts to sports and local trips.
Our work included repainting key areas to attract external bookings, installing an accessible laptop bench, upgrading to energy-efficient LED lighting, and improving storage. These updates will help SAPA generate income and remain a valuable community hub as council funding comes to an end.
Project partners included, Leicester City Council (UKSPF), Sport England, Dulux and Travis Perkins.
“It’s been incredible having the work done through VIY – we never could have done it ourselves. The mentors and learners have been fantastic. Everything looks great, thank you to everyone involved.”
SAPA, Venue Team
What Cabin
St Matthews Children’s Action Group (What Cabin) founded in 1989, provides free play sessions for 5-12-year-olds, offering activities like arts, sports, and workshops, plus free transport and snacks for families in need.
We refreshed the space with calming new colours inside and out, replacing outdated primary tones. Retrofitting upgrades, including secondary glazing, draught exclusion, and water-saving devices, have improved comfort and energy efficiency, helping to lower future costs.
Project partners included, Leicester City Council (UKSPF), Travis Perkins and Dulux.
“The project has made a huge difference by giving the venue a fresh new look! For organisations like ours with limited funding, this is a fantastic improvement for the staff, the building, and the children who will continue to benefit from it. Thank you – it’s been so much fun for everyone involved!”
What Cabin, Venue Team