Hornsea 3 Community Benefit Fund Awards Over £250,000 to Norfolk Projects

The Hornsea 3 Community Benefit Fund has awarded over £250,000 in its latest round of grants, supporting 14 projects across Norfolk that will make a lasting difference to local people and communities.

The largest award of £72,000 has been granted to the Pandora Project, a West and North Norfolk-based charity supporting women and children affected by domestic abuse. The funding will enable the Pandora Project to establish new drop-in services in King’s Lynn and Wells, providing a lifeline for women to access immediate advice, emotional support, and safety planning, thereby reducing the need for future interventions, such as police, GP, hospital, and mental health services.

With demand for support already outstripping resources (the charity currently has a seven-month waiting list for one-to-one adult support), the new drop-ins will help women access help more quickly and discreetly.

Tracy, CEO of Pandora Project, said:

“This funding will allow us to reach more women in crisis, offering them a safe, accessible first step to get help. Too often, women experiencing abuse feel trapped and isolated. Having a place where they can walk in, be heard, and receive immediate support can be lifesaving. We are incredibly grateful to Ørsted and its Hornsea 3 Community Benefit Fund for making this possible.”

Imran Nawaz, Senior Advisor & Community Benefit Fund Manager at Ørsted, added:

“The Pandora Project award is a powerful example of how this fund is helping to tackle some of the toughest challenges communities face. Across Norfolk, we’re seeing projects that protect the vulnerable, support young people, strengthen communities, and invest in sustainability. We’re proud to be playing a role in supporting such vital work.”

Alongside Pandora Project, funding has also been approved for the following projects:

• Great Yarmouth & Gorleston Young Carers – £30,515 to deliver peer support groups for young carers, helping them build resilience and friendships.
• The Burnhams Surgery Community Healthcare Trust (BSCHT) – £5,000 for workshops supporting families living with dementia in North Norfolk.
• Holt Youth Project – £23,707 for “SPace”, a nature-based project promoting young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
• YMCA Norfolk – £15,000 to install solar panels at supported housing, cutting costs and helping young homeless people.
• Baconsthorpe Parochial Church Council – £5,000 to support the local “Country Mice” mother and toddler group.
• Reflex Theatre – £5,481 to connect intergenerational communities in East Anglia through theatre.
• West Norfolk Befriending – £25,000 to expand befriending services tackling loneliness among older people.
• Knapton Village Hall Management Committee – £5,000 to replace the outdated heating system in the village hall.
• Mulbarton Parish Council – £24,216 to provide new play equipment for the community’s Meadows site.
• Weybourne Parish Council – £8,000 to enhance the Harry Dawson Playing Field with new facilities to inspire imaginations.
• Magic Acorns – £22,356 to deliver creative arts programmes for 0–3 year olds in Great Yarmouth.
• Headway Norfolk and Waveney Ltd – £1,801 to support healthy cooking skills for people recovering from brain injury.
• Norfolk Community Law Service – £11,273 to provide free legal advice for coastal communities.

The next application deadline for the Hornsea 3 Community Benefit Fund is 26 November 2025, midnight.

For full details about the fund, please visit the Hornsea 3 Community Fund web page.