Mansfield businesses and communities have been significantly boosted by government funding to help regenerate the area.
An independent evaluation of the district’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) 2022-25 programme shows it reached over 7,000 people in community activities and helped to create 28 jobs by supporting 98 businesses including 17 start-ups.
One of the business helped by the scheme, Electric Bear, said: “We’re glad to see local businesses being backed through this funding opportunity. Having direct investment from the UKSPF allows businesses like ours to grow with a focus on results. The fact that it’s a grant, not repayable finance, means we can concentrate fully on delivering the impact we’ve committed to.”
The £2.96 million programme closed in March but further UKSPF funding in the region of £1.5m has been awarded by the East Midlands Combined County Authority to further support a programme of strategic regeneration investments in community development, business support and workforce skills.
Aligning with council and Place Board strategies, including Making Mansfield: Towards 2030, the programme focused on three priorities: communities and place; supporting local business; people and skills.
Key Achievements
- Over 7,000 people reached through community activities, with more than double the target number of households and organisations receiving support.
- Exceptional employment and training results, including a 343% overachievement in helping residents into work, and 370% above target for health-related employment support.
- Support to over 98 businesses, with 28 new jobs created and 17 new businesses launched.
- Community regeneration through the support and achievements of projects including Switch Up Mansfield, Volunteer It Yourself, and the Mansfield Community Fund, supporting vulnerable groups and encouraging local pride.
Executive Mayor of Mansfield Andy Abrahams said: “This evaluation reveals the real difference UKSPF funding has made in Mansfield - boosting local economies, improving community wellbeing, and raising aspirations.
“The kind of projects this funding has supported and enabled has literally transformed lives in this area.
“We’re proud of the impact achieved and grateful to our partners who delivered vital projects across the district.”
Heather Frecklington, Partner at Focus Consultants, which conducted the evaluation, added: “The Mansfield programme is a strong example of how targeted investment and local partnerships can deliver meaningful change.
“While there were challenges - particularly around short delivery timelines - the outcomes speak for themselves.”
While the programme delivered extensive benefits, the evaluation flagged concerns around the short-term nature of funding and the need for longer-term sustainability for business and skills support services.
The report recommended improved planning, streamlined grant processes, and continued local delivery to maintain momentum.
Case studies
Electric Bear
This Mansfield-based recording studio received UKSPF grant of £8,000 through the Supporting Local Business section of the pot.
The funding and guidance was delivered by Nottinghamshire County Council Business Support service.
Electric Bear had been operating for 12 years in Mansfield focusing primarily on audio and music production. The company has evolved over the years to a broader spectrum of creative services, including visual and photographic content.
However it wanted to expand its capabilities to meet the growing demands of the creative production industry.
It has used the funding to buy high-quality visual and audio equipment which allows the company to produce more cinematic, dynamic content across a range of formats. The upgrades improve both location and in-studio production - giving Electric Bear a greater creative flexibility, sharper visuals and more accurate sound.
The new equipment has allowed Electric Bear to expand and diversify its creative services, providing clients with a wider range of production options.
The improved facilities have not only elevated the company’s profile but have also enriched the local creative community by offering better production services.
It has also supported the professional development and skill set of the Electric Bear team and its growth into visual media. The company aims to build on the foundation laid by the UKSPF funding to further develop its visual production capabilities. This includes potentially increasing staff.
Electric Bear Director Simon Hopkinson said: “It’s great to see real financial support reaching small businesses in Mansfield.
“I’m proud we were able to take this opportunity and use it to build something that supports our growth plans. The funding and backing from the county council has allowed us to focus on the future and invest in new equipment that will directly fuel our expansion.
“Electric Bear has an exciting journey ahead. While our roots are firmly in audio and music, we’re now widening our offering. We’re starting to support projects with visuals too, allowing us to deliver a more complete creative service that would normally require input from multiple companies.”
Initially the company sourced a development grant from Mansfield District Council, discovered via the council’s website. This led to further support from Nottinghamshire County Council’s Business Support team.
S.E.N.sational Minds Playgroup
The playgroup received £13,100 from Mansfield Community Grant Fund under the Communities and Place section of the UKSPF.
It was founded by Sophie Colclough, a dedicated parent who stopped working to support her son with complex autism.
The group fills a service gap in the Mansfield area has expanded rapidly after starting with monthly sessions in a small village community centre.
It is now in a larger venue and has 25 to 30 special needs children per session offering play sessions, a monthly neon disco and free monthly relaxed film screenings at Mansfield Library.
The UKSPF funding supported venue hiring, session materials, and the inclusion of additional services like inflatables from local businesses.
As well as supporting the local economy and delivering a community need, the playgroup has also contributed to Sophie’s personal and professional development and her acquisition of significant management and organisational skills.
She said: “We are extremely grateful for the support and belief shown in us by Mansfield CVS and council. The grant funding has allowed the us to reach more families in need in the Mansfield area.
“Witnessing friendships being built as well as the confidence in the children skyrocketing, we are incredibly proud and humbled to be providing so many regular events for some of the most vulnerable families at risk of isolation: those with children who have special educational needs and disabilities.”
Transform Your Future
This project received £250,000 from the UKSPF under the People and Skills section of the pot. It is delivered by Futures, a not-for-profit social enterprise, established in 1995 by Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County Councils as a dedicated specialist providing careers guidance, training and employment services.
The Transform Your Future aimed to empower change in its clients through personal coaching.
Among its clients was a single mother of three, Lauren (not her real name), who had not been employed since 2019 and whose past criminal record meant she faced significant challenges in re-entering the workforce.
Lauren was teamed up a dedicated coach at Futures, Lucy, who provided comprehensive support tailored to her unique needs. Together, they worked on practical steps to rebuild her professional profile.
Aswell as career guidance, Lucy helped Lauren draw up a CV to reflect her skills and career aspirations. There was also interview coaching and confidence-building strategies.
They explored potential job opportunities that would accommodate Lauren’s childcare responsibilities and educational courses, including a teaching assistant course which aligned with Lauren’s interests.
Crucially, Lucy was also able to use recent changes in law that enabled Lauren to achieve a DBS certificate. This enabled her to secure a work trial.
Lauren said "I’m really happy I came. I was confused and scared about my future and feeling pressure I’d never felt before.
“I love the support I’ve had from Lucy and the team. It’s not been an overwhelming pressure; they have been there step by step with me. I think Futures is great; they can help and support you as much as you want and let them."