Much needed community wellbeing hub secures £100,000 in funding
Added by Love Business East Midlands | 31 March 2026
UPDATED: 2 April 2026
An exciting project to create a new health and wellbeing hub in the grounds of Northamptonshire’s historic Delapré Abbey has secured a £100,000 grant.
During the pandemic, the Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust began offering a range of wellbeing activities including cycling confidence programmes, walking therapies, cooking classes for cancer patients, gardening workshops, mental health support and social prescribing services.
In response to a growing need for further local wellbeing support it has embarked on an ambitious project to transform its derelict 19th century stables and associated buildings into a dedicated health and wellbeing hub with retail spaces.
The project, ‘A Stable Future’ will cost £5 million and has received a £100,000 grant from the Garfield Weston Foundation, a family founded grant-maker supporting charities operating in a wide variety of sectors across the UK that make a positive difference within their communities.
Richard Clinton, Chief Executive of Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust, said:
“Our community faces significant challenges, including an ageing population, language barriers, rising unemployment, and health issues like hypertension and obesity.
“This new hub will support those most in need, particularly low-income individuals and those with disabilities or long-term illnesses. We view this as an opportunity to play our part in supporting our community and make a deeply meaningful impact on people’s lives.
“The project will also help us to protect the fabric of our 19th century stable block buildings and enhance our financial and overall sustainability.
“We’re very grateful to have received this support for this important project from the Garfield Weston Foundation.”
The trust has also launched the Stable Stories fundraiser to give the wider community the chance to get involved in the project.
It gives people the opportunity to have their name embossed on to one of a series of commemorative metal plates which will be installed around the refurbished stables complex.
The plates will be made of SG iron, which naturally weathers to a rich rust-orange colour over time. By making a donation, your name will be added alongside others on a shared commemorative plate. Plates cost £80 for one person’s name or £160 for two people’s names. For those wishing to include a family name, such as The Delapré Family, the cost is £125. A printed keepsake certificate is also available for £10.
The first set of plates will be installed into the central courtyard at the heart of the stables complex which will be accessible to all. The deadline to be featured in the first set of plates is August 2026.
The plates are not available to groups, clubs or companies. Organisations which are interested in supporting ‘A Stable Future’ are invited to contact fundraising@delapreabbey.org
To add your name, go to https://tinyurl.com/56nwnn8e
To learn about the Garfield Weston Foundation go to https://garfieldweston.org or to find out more about Delapré Abbey visit https://delapreabbey.org/
