How the Stronger Together Fund is giving back to the paddling community

Last year, Paddle UK’s Stronger Together Fund awarded over £200,000 to support 48 paddling projects across England that foster inclusive paddling communities and support more people to get out on the water.

The Stronger Together Fund has been made possible due to our growth in membership income and its investment back into the community.

Projects range from training staff to delivering on-the-water sessions for new paddlers to improving access to paddling within under-served and under-represented communities. The funding is empowering grassroots community initiatives, promoting paddlesports, and broadening access to paddling.

Check out some of the projects that have received funding from the Stronger Together Fund below and how they are helping their local communities thrive on and off the water.

Downside Fisher Youth Club
London – £14,920
The grant has enabled the club to launch a three-year paddlesports programme for its young members, offering them a unique opportunity to learn new skills and have fun on the water. The programme started in March 2023 with drop-in sessions at the club’s pool to introduce the participants to kayaking. The club aims to establish a DFYC Paddlesports Club that will continue to offer paddle sports activities to its members and the wider community.

All Aboard Watersports
Bristol – £6,345
The grant has enabled All Aboard Watersports to cover the cost of a Paddle-Ability instructor for one session per week for 30 weeks each year for three years, plus purchasing specialised paddle equipment. In the project’s first year, they delivered 25 sessions to local paddlers. The specialist equipment has made a big difference to the comfort and stability of paddlers in the boat.

“This funding has dramatically enabled us to support disabled paddlers in the community and to participate in an active sport at an affordable price. The equipment we have been able to purchase has allowed us to accommodate a wide range of needs, ensuring everyone has a comfortable, safe and enjoyable experience.”
Blaire Hannan, Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator at All Aboard Watersports

Ripple Rebels
Dorset – £7,500
The funding will support Ripple Rebels’ innovative project promoting SUP inclusivity. It has allowed the group to purchase stable boards and create seated and kneeling supports. These supports aim to enable individuals with physical restrictions, such as low confidence, chronic illness, age, or disability, to paddle comfortably.

Aspire & Succeed
Birmingham – £8,800
Aspire & Succeed has used the grant to purchase kayaks and equipment, and to train staff and volunteers as paddle sport instructors and bellboat helms. The project has reached over 300 people from diverse backgrounds, with over 80% of participants being from Asian or Afro-Caribbean communities.

“The funding has meant that local people take charge of paddling sessions from setup to delivery to participation on the water which breaks down so many barriers. It has allowed the ordinary person and the person who never thought they’d ever take part in paddling to have a go and fall in love with a sport they would never have dreamt of taking part in.”
Gulnaz Begum, Project Lead at Aspire & Succeed

Nowka Bais CIC
Birmingham – £7,680
Nowka Bais CIC is a community organisation based in Birmingham that promotes Bangladeshi culture and heritage through watersport activities. The grant supports the Nowka Bais CIC’s paddlesport project, which aims to introduce and develop paddlesports in East Birmingham, particularly among the South Asian community. Offering regular bell boating and kayaking sessions at Star City on the Grand Union Canal, as well as other venues across the city. They have already reached over 500 participants since May 2023, with a diverse and inclusive profile of gender, ethnicity, age, and disability.