We are delighted to have been able to support 11 different organisations with a total of £5,000 in April's round of our Community Support Scheme.
Say Aphasia
Say Aphasia is a charity which supports people with aphasia, a communication disability which can occur after a stroke, head injury, or brain tumour, helping them to adjust to living with aphasia, meet people who have experienced a similar life change, regain independence and help reduce loneliness.
The donation will be spent on the hire of a venue in Winchester city centre for a drop in group, allowing the group to meet in an easily accessible central location.
Berkshire Vision
Berkshire Vision supports hundreds of blind and partially sighted people with sight loss. The donation will be used to fund a pottery session for people with dual sensory loss (both hearing and sight).
The donation will fund a pottery session using a potter's wheel. This will allow the group to have fun together through a shared experience using touch. We are hugely grateful to Newbury Building Society for funding this group, which is a huge support to our members who have both hearing and sight impairments as we can offer the one-to-one support they need, while they take part in an engaging activity. Socialising with others in a similar position also helps build friendships and reduce isolation.
All Yours Period Box
All Yours is a small charity which helps young people who struggle with their period whilst in school. The funding will help in promoting period dignity and providing essential supplies such as knickers and tights which schools would not otherwise be able to buy.
Berkshire Chamber Music Festival
Berkshire Chamber Music Festival were awarded £500, which will be used to organise therpeautic musical workshops in local schools, Newbury Community Hospical, and care homes.
One Planet Abingdon Climate Emergency Centre
The group will spend their donation on a new gazebo and associated equipment to help them become more visible at local events - hopefully becoming a recognisable feature in and around Abingdon.
We are delighted with our new colourful gazebo, which we hope will become as well known in Abingdon as flying buns and swan upping. We look forward to continuing our work to respond to the climate emergency and would like to thank Newbury Building Society for their kind support.
Francis Bailey Primary School
The funding allocated to Francis Bailey School in Thatcham will be used to create a long-lasting mural to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Earth Trust
This is the second successful application for funding by the Earth Trust, a charity which looks after green spaces in the local area. This time, the funding will go towards supporting volunteers with training, planning, and health and safety.
Earth Trust's wonderful volunteers are incredibly generous with their time and skills, keeping our green spaces flourishing so that everyone can enjoy free access, learn about the environment and reconnect to nature. By supporting our volunteers, Newbury Building Society is enabling amazing work for the planet and for people's health and wellbeing.
Play2Give
Play2Give are an Oxfordshire charity who fundraise to support children, health, and disability charities throughout Oxford. In 2022, the organisation will turn 15 and they will use the funding from the Society to organise their family fun birthday event in Didcot.
Andrew Baker MBE, founder of Play2Give, was delighted to hear their application had been successful: "We were really pleased, happy and delighted. When I saw the recipient and the subject I opened it in anticipation - but didnt expect our application to have been successful, as we know that there would of been lots and it would of been hard for all requests to have been accommodated. So, to get the good news was amazing - it really will go a long way!"
Funding was also allocated to:
- Spotlight UK
- One Planet Abingdon Climate Emergency Centre
- Whitchurch Conservation Group
- Speen Community Cafe.
Do you know (or are you part of) a group that could benefit from funding?
The next round of the Community Support Scheme and Green Community Support Scheme is open for applications, with judging taking place at the end of October 2022. For more information, visit our dedicated webpage.
Emma is responsible for the marketing communications and public relations for the Society.
