The Sports Trust Receives funding from The National Lottery Community Fund
The Sports Trust team is delighted to announce that it has been awarded £386,542 over three years from The National Lottery Community Fund to support the reopening of Folkestone Sports Centre and, in particular, the return of its much-loved swimming pool to the community.
We would firstly like to thank The National Lottery Community Fund and all National Lottery Players for their generous contribution and for supporting us in continuing our work.
The funding, awarded on 18 May 2026, represents a major milestone in The Sports Trust’s vision to restore the facility as a thriving community hub, providing opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to become more active, improve their wellbeing and connect with others.
The Sports Trust exists to dismantle barriers to participation in sport and physical activity across Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh. The reopening of Folkestone Sports Centre will significantly expand opportunities for local residents by reintroducing swimming alongside a wider range of sports and activities.
The project will also strengthen community cohesion by creating a welcoming space where people can come together, build relationships and feel connected to their local area. Our range of programmes will help foster feelings of safety, belonging and trust, while providing opportunities for residents of all ages to engage in positive, healthy activities.
Dan Hulme from The Sports Trust said:
“The funding from The National Lottery Community Fund will be transformational for both The Sports Trust and our community. Reopening Folkestone Sports Centre is about much more than restoring a building; it is about creating opportunities, improving health and wellbeing, and bringing people together.”
Tony Vaughan, who has played a significant part in securing the funding added:
““Accessible community spaces for youth, older people and families are severely lacking in Folkestone – so I am relieved we will finally be able to see the Folkestone Sports Centre back up and running! I used to take my children swimming there and I know how much it means in our community.
I was therefore pleased to introduce The Sports Trust to The National Lottery Community Fund so they could see firsthand the immense value the Sports Centre brings to Folkestone, and to support their funding bid. My sincere thanks go to Sir Roger DeHaan, Dan Hulme and The Sports Trust for all their work to bring this much-valued community asset back to life.”
The Sports Trust team is also grateful to all our staff, volunteers, and partners for their dedication, passion and commitment, and the wider community for their patience, kindness and continued support as we work to bring this important facility back into community use.
The funding will have a significant and immediate impact, helping The Sports Trust accelerate plans to deliver accessible, inclusive and sustainable opportunities for residents across the district.