Welcome to this month’s update for our brilliant community micro enterprises across Mablethorpe and the surrounding area

Below you’ll find new grant opportunities, local support, free training, and a helpful national guide from Think Local Action Personal to support good practice.

New Grant Opportunities

NEW – The Tree Council Grants

Funding is now available to support the planting of trees, orchards and hedgerows in community spaces, parks, schools and local neighbourhoods.

• Branching Out Grants Grants £250–£2,500 for community groups, schools, small charities and Tree Warden Networks. Applications assessed on a rolling basis – early applications encouraged. Deadline: Sunday 19 July (midnight) or earlier if funds are allocated.
• Network Rail Community Tree Planting Fund Grants £2,500–£10,000 for projects across England, Scotland and Wales. Open to community groups, landowners and local authorities. Deadline: Sunday 19 July (midnight). A second round may open depending on remaining funds.

These grants are ideal for enterprises running community gardens, wellbeing projects, outdoor activity groups, or environmental initiatives.

Apply here: Grant funding to support tree, hedgerow and orchard establishment

NEW – Tesco Fruit & Veg Grants

Tesco is offering grants of up to £1,500 for not‑for‑profit organisations helping children access nutritious food. Successful applications go to a public vote in local stores.

They particularly welcome applications from:

• Breakfast or after‑school clubs providing fruit & veg
• Sports clubs offering healthy snacks or halftime boosts
• Growing projects or cooking classes using home‑grown produce

A great opportunity for community kitchens, youth groups, wellbeing projects, and family support enterprises.

Apply here: Tesco Fruit & Veg Grant

Local Grants & Support in Mablethorpe

Here are some local opportunities that may support your enterprise or community group:

• East Lindsey District Council – Community Grants Often supports small community projects, wellbeing activities, and local improvements. (Check current rounds as they open throughout the year.)
• Lincolnshire Community Foundation  Offers multiple small‑grant pro grammes for grassroots groups, including health, loneliness, and community development projects.
• Magna Vitae Trust for Leisure & Culture   Occasionally provides support or partnership opportunities for activity‑based or wellbeing‑focused enterprises.
• Town & Parish Council Micro‑Grants – often available for small community groups and start‑ups

Free Local Training & Workshops

A selection of free or low‑cost training available to Mablethorpe enterprises:

• Lincolnshire Voluntary Centre Services (VCS) Training  safeguarding, governance and volunteer management.
• Business Lincolnshire  Free webinars and workshops on marketing, digital skills, finance, and business planning.
• Community Lincs / YMCA Lincolnshire  Training for community groups, village halls, and grassroots organisations.

Personal Assistant Employment Status: A Guide to Support Good Practice

TLAP (Think Local Act Personal) has released a clear, practical guide to help individuals and small enterprises understand employment status for Personal Assistants (PAs).

The guide covers:

• When a PA is considered employed vs self‑employed
• What good practice looks like for small community enterprises
• How to stay compliant while keeping things simple
• Real‑world examples to help you make informed decisions

This is especially useful for CMEs offering support services, micro‑providers, and anyone employing or contracting PAs. You can read more here Think Local Act Personal

If you’d like a summary tailored to your enterprise, you can ask for a PA status breakdown.