See some of the inspiring organisations aiming to make a real difference in their communities with the support of our General Grants Programme:

SWAY, Isle of Wight 

South White Area Youth (SWAY) is a Christian organisation giving hope and focus to young people in the South of the Isle of Wight. This area includes some of the most disadvantaged rural areas of the UK. This deprivation is a stark and hidden story set in a seemingly affluent south coast region. Problems include housing and educational deprivation, lack of employment opportunities, lack of public transport, unaffordable shops and a poor experience with government services often reinforcing distrust and disaffection.

With the support of a General Grant of £10,000, SWAY will build a new Community Hub in Chale Green, which will also operate as a café and base for the charity to grow. Following the closure of the local village shop, post office and cafe in 2020, the village has no community base, removing a lifeline for the numerous people depending on these facilities. The new hub will offer local residents a centre to connect with others and access services that they have so badly missed.

Faithworks Wessex (Blandford Foodbank), Bournemouth

Blandford Foodbank provides support, advice and guidance to help relieve financial stress and help people on their journey out of crisis. The foodbank provides three days’ worth of food to struggling individuals and families. It also provides a range of other services such as money advice, cooking on a budget, and holiday top-up vouchers. 

£4,000 funding from the General Grants programme will help to develop The Foodbank Shop, which will provide fresh food and support to build people’s confidence and resilience. It will also partner with every school in Blandford to ensure that households with extremely low incomes will have access to the shop, especially in school holidays when families struggle the most.