Get Going Gosport! Fund: Meet The Panel

Behind every decision is a person. So, we wanted to introduce you to the panel who will be reviewing applications for the Get Going Gosport! fund. Together, these local people will help choose which ideas to bring to life.

About The Fund

With support from Camden Giving, Energise Me have been able to explore Participatory Grantmaking. At the core of which, is the idea that communities should be involved in the funding decisions that impact them.  

‘Get Going Gosport!’ is our first project like this. It’s been co-designed with local people with lived experience of physical inactivity and health inequalities. They’ve designed a new physical activity grant, shaping everything from the eligibility criteria to how funding will be allocated. 

Learn about the purpose and eligibility of this fund.

Local people understand their community first-hand yet rarely hold the decision-making positions that influence how funding is distributed. 

By having a community panel, there will be a group of people with local knowledge, lived experience, and a shared commitment to their area. This will help to ensure that funding decisions are made in the best interest of local need within the Gosport area. 

So, let’s meet them!

I’ve been part of the Gosport community for 35 years.  

I volunteer for a recovery focused organisation, supporting individuals and families with addiction through community-based activities and connection. 

My favourite part of Gosport is the sense of community. People really do come together and support each other here. 

I wanted to join the panel because I’m passionate about where I live and the surrounding community.  

My name is Vicki, and I work for Motiv8. I have lived and worked in the area for over 10 years and my favourite thing about where I live is having a Mr Whippy by the beach.  

I wanted to get involved in the Participatory Grantmaking project because I am passionate about making sure Gosport residents have access to great support and services.  

So far, I have enjoyed meeting new local people and listening to their ideas, as well as learning about the grantmaking process. I am excited to see where this goes! 

I’ve lived in Gosport for most of my life and have a big network of family and friends here. I love that we are minutes away from the sea, I take my dogs there all the time. 

After being involved in the Good Grub Club, I was asked to be a part of this panel. 

I want this fund to achieve something positive for Gosport – and I think it will!

I work for King’s Group Academies, where I lead the service and community strategy across the Trust and oversee the delivery of some of this through our Gosport Community Hub. 

I both live and work in Gosport, and what I value most is the strength of the community and the willingness of people to support one another when given the opportunity. 

I wanted to get involved in the Participatory Grantmaking project because, in principle, it reflects how I believe community work should be done – by listening to people, understanding what really matters to them, and using that to help shape decisions. 

So far, I’ve valued hearing different perspectives and being part of a process that aims to put local voices at the center. It’s been interesting to see funding approached in a way that feels more connected to real experiences. 

I have lived in Gosport for 47 years – I was born here – and I volunteer with Community Spirit. 

I wanted to be a part of this project because I wanted to challenge myself and try something new.  

Hopefully, we can find the best way to invest the funds. I hope we can!

I’m the Founder and Director of Love Outdoors CIC based in Gosport. I’ve lived and worked in Gosport for 12 years and love living by the sea with my family and dogs. 

I wanted to get involved with the Participatory Grantmaking project to learn from and listen to different members of the community and collectively create something which hasn’t been done before. 

I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved so far and how we’ve connected as a panel.

I was born and brought up in Gosport and have always worked in Gosport or the surrounding area. I am now retired but volunteer with Community First and also run my own meditation group. 

My favourite things about Gosport are its wonderful sense of community, its amazing heritage, its history, the great coastline, the countryside such as the wild grounds, and the superb walks around the area. 

I joined the panel because I care about Gosport and the local community and would like to “make a difference” to my hometown.

I live in Winchester with my family. I’ve worked for Energise Me for 7 years, and I’m passionate about ethical grantmaking.  

My favourite places in Gosport are the beach at Lee, and the greengrocers on the high street! 

My favourite thing about being part of the Participatory Grantmaking panel is helping people feel like they have a bit more of a say about what happens in their town.