Last year, our Healthcare team selected seven projects based in and around Loughborough. Here’s a little more about these projects.
- Ashwood Spencer Academy is a primary school in one of the most deprived areas of Derby dedicated to providing exemplary teaching and learning. For many families, transport and cost are major barriers to participation in out of school activities. The funding we provide will go towards the offering of weekly climbing sessions delivered at the local Alter Rock Climbing Centre in Derby. The team will use the school minibus to transport the children to and from the classes, which will be run for 6 weeks.
- Mind Aid UK is a multi-award-winning Midlands based Community Interest Company that aims to empower and support communities through activity and creativity. There are still increasing numbers of people with pandemic and recession related issues that have created or worsened mental health needs. Our funding will enable the team to offer easily accessible support through 1-2-1 support sessions and group support sessions.
- Epic Partners is a charity based in Nottingham that offers physical activity packages to schools that include lunchtime activities, after-school clubs, and P.E lessons as well as pastoral services to help support the learning and emotional resilience of pupils. Funding provided will be used to grow, expand and offer new and much needed community activities for children and young people living in St Ann’s and Sneinton.
- The Canaan Trust is an independent homelessness charity. It looks to provide person-centred support, specifically tailored to the needs of each unique individual. Gender-based violence is a near universal experience for homeless women so it’s important that they are given a space they feel safe to visit. To enable this The Trust have purchased an additional property that they intend to convert into a home. The home, which will be accessible 24/7, will be run by trained staff who will be able to support up to nine women at a time. Our grant will enable the team to fund this important resource.
- Radford Care Group is a purpose-built centre that offers daytime activities for older people in Nottingham, with extended facilities for the frailer elderly. The funding provided will enable the team to offer a variety of weekly exercise, creative arts, and mindfulness sessions. Since the pandemic many older people have not been able to re-engage in the community and with many living alone, they have little to no social contact or support. By offering activities like these the team will be able to engage with those who need companionship and specialist support to help improve mental health and wellbeing and reduce isolation.
- Headway Nottingham is a local charity providing support and long-term rehabilitation for people in Nottinghamshire living with complex disabilities as a result of brain injuries. Funds will be used towards its Mind over Mood project which aims to equip and empower local people with brain injuries with tools to control their physical health and emotional wellbeing through twice weekly Nordic Walking classes along with some relax and reflexology sessions. These sessions are proven to support balance, co-ordination, fitness and strength while also reducing stress and anxiety, and boosting confidence.
- Sneinton Alchemy, run events and activities that bring people together to reduce isolation and loneliness. With our funding they will conduct a listening campaign aimed at mobilising resident helpers. The project will help the team identify those in the community that are really struggling with loneliness or who feel isolated. Once they’ve conducted the research they’ll be able to offer a local befriender placement or support through a group.
In 2020, we launched the Strong Foundations Grant, aimed at supporting small charities and community organisations in and around our sites and offices. Each of these projects provide opportunities for local people and drive positive change where it’s most needed.
