Northamptonshire Community Foundation Community Hero of the Week
Action for Happiness Northamptonshire support children, young people and families to develop the skills, confidence and community connections needed for lifelong wellbeing. Their work focuses on practical, evidence-based tools that help people build happier habits, strengthen relationships and improve mental health, creating positive change at both individual and community level.
In Towcester, Action for Happiness Northamptonshire are embedding their resources across local services for children, young people and families, ensuring that wellbeing support is accessible where people already go for help. This includes promoting tools such as the 10 Keys to Happier Living, Happier Families resources and the Schools Toolkit in up to five local settings, including family hubs, libraries and community organisations.
The project will also establish a peer-led Circle of Practice to bring partners together, share learning and coordinate training and community engagement. Working with organisations such as Northamptonshire Mind, Family Hubs, Northamptonshire Sport and Young Northants, the project will take a ‘test and learn’ approach to develop effective local wellbeing strategies. Thirty local leaders will receive Action for Happiness Champion training, with each expected to reach at least six people directly, while volunteers will be supported to run Happiness Habits courses in the community.
A £4,990 grant from the Towcester Park Community Fund, awarded via Northamptonshire Community Foundation, is supporting this work. By strengthening local partnerships, building community capacity and increasing access to wellbeing resources, Action for Happiness Northamptonshire are helping children, young people and families across Towcester to thrive.
Northamptonshire Community Foundation is the county’s largest independent grant maker, having given more than £24 million in grants since its inception in 2001. Since the start of the 2024/25 financial year, The Foundation has awarded more than £1.3 million in grants. Their latest Impact Report is ready to read here.