Doing Good Together Fund – A Much-Needed Helping Hand
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Published 5 Nov 2024 in Communities
Since the Doing Good Together Fund launched on 11 September, we have allocated over £13,000 to 47 community groups, creating real change at a hyper-local level. Here’s a quick update on the difference it’s made so far.
The new Doing Good Together Fund is off to a flying start, with over 80 community groups, local charities and individuals applying for grants. The first 47 have now been allocated funding, meaning change is already beginning to happen.
The successful grants have benefited a variety of different groups and projects, from those looking to make communities safer and supporting healthy lifestyles to groups breaking down barriers to isolation and putting on community events.
A helping hand in Shelfield, Walsall
One of our first recipients was the Ormiston Shelfield Wellbeing Hub, receiving £195 from the fund to kit out the kitchen of a new community hub being established in a disused building on the grounds of Ormiston Shelfield Community Academy.
The intention is that pupils will use this new space to host afternoon teas for local elderly people, and the hub will also be used by a charitable local radio station.
Lisa Habberley from Ormiston Shelfield Academy, Alan Cratchley Safe Stores Manager and Emily Walker Store Manager of Lichfield Road
Strengthening local relationships
We spoke to Emily Walker, Store Manager at Shelfield Food, who allocated the funds to the group, to find out more.
“Alan Cratchley, the Safe Store Manager, attended a community meeting about anti-social behaviour. There, he and colleague Jade Bridges, whose child attends the school, got talking to school governors and told them about the Doing Good Together Fund. One governor then put in an application for the Wellbeing Hub.
“I believe this request is so deserving of the funding as we have requested support from Ormiston Shelfield Community Academy with anti-social behaviour and would like to offer something back. This will strengthen our relationship with the school and help us build a better partnership for the future.
“The area has very little for local families to do and limited support, so to put Shelfield on the community map is a privilege. Colleagues will feel a real pride in knowing that we have helped build brighter futures for the youth of Shelfield with the new hub.”
There is also talk of the Shelfield store team volunteering to help get the hub up and running when the time is right.
Doing good together - Evan Ball, Team Manager and ex-pupil and Jade Bridges, a student parent
Remember, you make all the difference
The Doing Good Together Fund means that you, our remarkable colleagues, are empowered to give a helping hand to local community groups, so don’t forget to spread the word in your area. Already know a group who could benefit? Let them know!
You’ll find the fund application form and more details to pass on here.
