Monthly Grants: giving people and places opportunities to thrive

Every month, we award smaller grants from our Community Impact and Building Improvement grants programmes to support a wide range of projects across the UK and Ireland. From improving older people’s wellbeing and young people’s futures, to restoring historic buildings at the centre of our communities – see some of the latest projects to benefit from our funding:

FAST London

FAST London supports disadvantaged young people in Wandsworth. The charity is located in the Partmore estate – one of the UK’s 30% most deprived areas. Crime is high and young people are living with the devastating effects of poverty and poor mental health. 

These combined challenges mean that school can be a struggle and many of these young people are at risk of exclusion. In 2018/19, the exclusion rate for black students was three times higher than white students. FAST is working to give young, black students the opportunity to thrive in education.

FAST runs a weekly community programme that provides young people with a safe space that provides academic and career support led by positive role models. This includes a learning hub, drop-in sessions, mentoring and football sessions.

The number of young people FAST works with has increased by 25% in the last year. A £9,300 Community Impact Grant will help to increase staff time and volunteers to empower more young people.

Loneliness is a growing issue in communities and often most prevalent in rural settings. Throughout the pandemic, ITW helped address feelings of isolation and loneliness by running wellbeing crafting classes for vulnerable, older people in three rural towns in the Scottish Borders.

A £1,300 grant will help to restart these classes, so that older people can continue to build friendships, confidence and enthusiasm for life.

Bethesda Cardiff

Bethesda was built and opened in 1932 to serve the local communities of north Cardiff. The building has been consistently used over the years and has grown and developed over time. It’s now showing signs of age and requires significant work to make it fit for 21st century use.

A £12,000 Building Improvement Grant will help to upgrade the building for current and future outreach activities, through the installation of accessible toilets, entrance upgrades, improved heating and lighting, and roof repairs.

All Saints Church (Stranton Church), Cleveland 

Stranton Church is a historic church located in an area of high urban deprivation. It plays an important role in the community through Sunday services, concerts, heritage open days and as a foodbank collection point. It’s a much-loved landmark for local people and visitors from further afield. 

An £8,000 Building Improvement Grant will help to make the church safe and sustainable for the future by supporting repairs to its medieval tower.