Fareham Borough Council has awarded Crafty Makery in Fareham Shopping Centre £4,999 from its Community Fund, towards replacing its current lighting to energy efficient LEDs.

Crafty Makery is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company that provides a community space for all ages to come together to learn or participate in a variety of crafting projects. The organisation teaches skills, in addition to being a valued space for all-important social interactions and connections.

This community funding will enable Crafty Makery to replace all the ground floor lighting from halogen to LED bulbs. This will provide better-quality light for its many users – some of which have visual impairments – while taking part in social and craft activities. The Fareham History Files are also situated within Crafty Makery and this improved light will allow for the documents to be studied more easily.

As well as improved visibility, the LED lighting will reduce electricity costs and the need for replacements as they are more robust and less prone to burn out and breakages through shocks, vibrations and temperature changes.

Crafty Makery has been awarded £4,999 from the Community Fund, with the remaining amount being funded through fundraising.

Councillor Connie Hockley, Executive Member for Leisure and Community said: “Crafty Makery is a vital community asset in the heart of Fareham town centre. Many of the people that benefit from its activities face disadvantage or limitations that, in a less supportive environment, would make social interaction inaccessible. Lighting is especially important for crafting activities, so I am delighted that the Community Fund is able to award funding to improve this at the venue.”

For more information about Fareham’s Community Fund and how to apply, please visit: www.fareham.gov.uk/grants.