Published: 14 July 2023
In the latest round of monthly smaller grants, we’ve awarded over £450,000 to churches and charities.
Here’s some recent projects to benefit from a funding boost across our new Community Impact and Building Improvement grants programmes…
Community Impact Grants:
CHIPS (Christian International Peace Service), London
CHIPS has been working with young people in Brixton for over 9 years, partnering with individuals, schools and other charities to support their needs. Statics show that crime is 11% higher in the Borough of Lambeth than other areas of London and 26% higher than national data. Serious Youth Violence is a major issue in the borough.
A £6,750 grant from Benefact Trust’s Community Impact Grants programme will work to bring together young people and parents affected by youth violence through creative workshops, trauma training, trips away from their estates, and regular drop-in sessions – offering hope and support to struggling families.
Moneyreagh Community Church, County Down
Moneyreagh Community Church is a growing church with big visions for the local community. The area currently has no café, coffee shops or shared space for local people to gather and connect.
With the support of a £9,200 Community Impact Grant, the church is developing a new community space with the main goal being reaching and serving local people. ‘The Table’ will be a coffee shop; a place to host groups, workshops, and youth events; and will help to build community cohesion and reduce isolation and loneliness.
.
.
The Princess Project, Maidstone, Kent
Social isolation amongst mothers is a huge problem. 2018 research conducted by the Red Cross found that 82% of mothers under 30 felt lonely some of the time, and 43% felt lonely often or always. Families who live on the Isle of Sheppey have limited services available to them locally, increasing the risk of isolation and loneliness. At the same time, the financial pressure on families is growing.
£5,400 from Benefact Trust will help The Princess Project to open a Mums’ Hub and baby bank on the Isle of Sheppey, providing an inclusive space for mums to visit to find support and community.
Building Improvement Grants
The Church of St Mary, South Ruislip, London
St Mary’s South Ruislip is a striking grade II listed church in the London Borough of Hillingdon. St Mary’s has an active congregation and provides a wide range of opportunities for the diverse local community. However, asbestos contamination has prevented the community from using the church for the past four years as the building has been deemed unsafe.
A grant of £8,100 will enable the church to remove the asbestos and reopen for worship and community use.
All Saints' Church, Darton, South Yorkshire
All Saints’ Church is a beautiful, early 16th Century building which has been largely unaltered for over 500 years. The church has a lot to offer its community, but currently the space is not fit for purpose.
A £3,900 Building Improvement Grant will help to restore the heritage of this medieval church and make it fully accessible for the congregation and wider community.
.
Images: Header image - CHIPS, Middle image - The Princess Project, Bottom image - All Saints' Church in Darton.
