We are pleased to have supported twelve brilliant organisations from throughout our branch network in the latest round of our Community Support Scheme.
The Community Support Scheme is an application scheme which offers charities and community groups the chance to apply for small grants of up to £500.
Love Her Wild
Love Her Wild is a non-profit adventure group for women, which aims to improve women's access to the outdoors through friendly and supportive groups. The Berkshire and Hampshire group of Love Her Wild will run a 'Beginner’s guide to the outdoors' training weekend for up to 15 women using their grant. The weekend will consist of workshops, activities, and discussions to build confidence and skills and enable women to make the great outdoors a part of their lives.
Daisy's Dream
Daisy's Dream is a charity in Twyford that supports children through bereavement. The donation from the Society will cover the cost of one group event, run by a qualified Therapeutic Practitioner. These sessions give children and young people a much-needed chance to come together and talk about their experiences as a result of the death of someone close to them.
We are delighted to have been awarded funding from Newbury Building Society. This will enable Daisy's Dream to continue providing essential support to bereaved children and young people through groups and individual sessions. Each year we work with over 800 children and rely on the generosity of community donations to enable us to continue being able to offer this. We thank you for supporting us.
National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT) Berkshire
NAWT Berkshire is a specialist animal rehoming and rescue centre, specialising in the care of elderly animals. Their Community Support Scheme grant will be used to purchase new agility equipment for their secure dog exercise paddock. The purchase of this equipment, which is made from recycled materials, provides enrichment, training, and exercise for the animals in their care.
We cannot thank Newbury Building society enough for their generous donation towards our new paddock and agility equipment. This will not only provide improved enrichment for our resident animals and the public that hire the paddock but will also provide a new sustainable income stream to the charity to help secure our future.
Step by Step
Step by Step is a Hampshire charity that supports young people through hard times, including homelessness. The charity will spend its grant on supporting its range of services, including accommodation and wrap-around care in Basingstoke for young people aged 16-25 who have faced homelessness. This service costs around £30 per person per night and aims to help break the cycle of homelessness for good.
Time to Talk West Berkshire
Time to Talk West Berkshire is a mental health charity which provides counselling for young people throughout the local area. They received a grant of £500, which will enable them to run a Mental Health Champion project in a local secondary school. This entails an assembly on well-being and anxiety, as well as a practical workshop for the school's student Mental Health Champions, empowering them with the necessary skills to support their peers.
Style Acre
Style Acre used their grant to purchase eco-friendly medals to give out at the end of their festive Santa Dash event in Didcot. The medals are 100% biodegradable and made by people from disadvantaged backgrounds or with learning disabilities.
Funding was also allocated to:
- The Mulberry Bush School
- West Berkshire Draughtbusters
- Andover Trees United
- Rainbow Trust Children's Charity
- Connection Support
- Busy Bees Preschool
Do you know (or are you part of) a group that could benefit from a small grant?
The deadline for the next round of the Community Support Scheme and Green Community Support Scheme is 31st January 2023, with judging taking place at the beginning of February. For more information, visit our dedicated webpage.
Emma is responsible for the marketing communications and public relations for the Society.
