As Portsmouth celebrates its centenary year, residents are being invited to take part in a community-wide effort to mark 100 years since the city was officially granted status on 21 April 1926. The year-long series of events, known as Portsmouth100, aims to bring the community together to reflect on the history of the city while looking ahead to its future.
A central part of these celebrations is the Team 100 initiative, coordinated by HIVE Portsmouth. This project encourages individuals, families, schools, and local groups to complete 100 hours of volunteering throughout 2026. Participation is flexible, with suggested activities ranging from making donations and recycling to planting wildflowers and helping with neighbourhood clean-ups. These acts of kindness are intended to support local charities and foster stronger community connections across the city.
To help residents get involved, HIVE Portsmouth provides support through its two voluntary sector hubs. The South Hub is located in the city centre at Aggie Weston House on Edinburgh Road, while the North Hub is based at Paulsgrove Housing Office on Allaway Avenue in Paulsgrove. The organisation acts as a central link for over 200 local charities and community groups.
In addition to volunteering, the Portsmouth City Council has launched a community grants programme to help fund centenary-related projects. Individuals living in the city can apply for grants between £100 and £250, while community groups and charities are eligible for funding ranging from £250 up to £1,000. These grants are designed to support a wide variety of activities, including those focused on local heritage, sport, the arts, and the environment.
The centenary programme officially kicked off on 1 January 2026 with a large, family-friendly event at Castle Field. The celebration included live music from a samba-reggae percussion band, a film screening, and a firework display, alongside the unveiling of a lighthouse art installation by the artist Nathan Coley.
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