We have now distributed more than £1m to social wellbeing projects through the Assura Community Fund.
Our community fund was launched with Cheshire Community Foundation in May 2020 to support health-improving projects in the communities around the 600 medical centre buildings it cares for.
As its latest national grant round concludes, the fund has now given more than £1.3m in grants to social wellbeing projects helping to reduce isolation, improve mental and physical health, create stronger community cohesion, improve access to community services, education and employability skills – making a difference for almost 180,000 people.
Jonathan Murphy, our CEO, said: “Our community fund is one of our proudest achievements. It had been in the plan to launch in 2020 for some time, but when the pandemic hit, it became quickly apparent that the fund now had a very specific role to play – supporting the work of projects helping vulnerable people from all backgrounds with health and wellbeing needs that would last far beyond COVID in England, Scotland and Wales. Isolation and struggles with mental health in particular have been big themes as they have affected so many people over the last 18 months. As our fund goes from strength to strength, we’re looking forward to continuing to help the voluntary and community sector’s incredible work to support primary care and social prescribing.”
The latest round of grants approved in October will see 86 charities deploying a share of just over £400,000 for projects including support for young carers, people experiencing homelessness and gardening and growing projects helping people improve health and wellbeing.
Lady Redmond MBE, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire, said: “Assura is making an incredible contribution to the communities they operate in, across Cheshire and nationally. The team’s outstanding commitment provides an inspirational example of how organisations can support those in need.”
Zoe Sheppard, CEO Cheshire Community Foundation, said: “It is an honour to partner Assura to manage their Community Fund, and the 1 million milestone is such an exciting achievement in our longstanding collaboration. Through their generosity and commitment to their communities, Assura really are changing lives for the better. We look forward to an exciting future working in partnership with the Assura team."
The fund’s work was recently highlighted as part of a visit by HRH The Earl of Wessex to Cheshire-based charities and funders who had played a key role in the response to the pandemic.
Below is a list of charities that received grants throughout England:
Midlands:
- Quetzal
- Nethefield Forum
- Eyres Monsell Club for Young People
- East Northants Community Services (ENCS)
- The Wolfpack Project
- Falcon Support Services East Midlands Ltd
- The Bridge Homelessness To Hope
- Nottingham Arimathea Trust
- New Life Community Church
- The Lily Mae Foundation
- Sandwell Homeless and Resettlement Project
North East:
- North Tyneside Disability Forum Ltd
- Ryton Cross Community Society Ltd
- St Oswald's Hospice
- Tees Valley Women's Centre Ltd.
- The Children's Foundation
- Acumen Community Buildings Ltd
- Young Asian Voices
- LD:NorthEast
- Sunderland Women's Centre
- The Customs House Trust
North West:
- Perspective Theatre Company - Transfer from RLWC
- Mersey Counselling and Therapy Centre
- Blackpool FC Community Trust
- On the Out
- Just Drop-In Youth Info and Advice Ltd
- Smart Works (Greater Manchester)
- PCC of Walton Breck and Holy Trinity
- Down Syndrome Cheshire
- Youth Federation
- The Joshua Tree
- The Positive Herd Project
- Emotional Wellbeing Group Ltd
- Greater Manchester Neshomo CIO
- Hospice of the Good Shepherd
- Cheshire Young Carers
- Cheshire Wildlife Trust
Yorkshire:
- Survive (Support for survivors of rape and sexual abuse)
- York Archaeological Trust
- Sheffield Maternity Cooperative
- KIDS Yorkshire
London:
- Young Ealing Foundation
- The Mary Dolly Foundation Transfer from RLWC
- Heath Hands
- Learn English at Home
- Success Club CIO
- Children Ahead Ltd
- S Pinter Youth Project
- Refreshing Minds
- The Spitz Charitable Trust
- Strength & Learning Through Horses
- Addiction Support and Care Agency
- Educational Dance Provision Services (known as MovementWorks)
- Activiteens
- The Manna
- Merton Mencap
- Turning Corners
- Caritas Anchor House
- Peninim
- The Happy And Healthy Trust
- Into the Light
- AFC Wimbledon Foundation
- North London Hill Club
- Crossway Pregnancy Crisis Centre
- Sonshine Club
South East:
- Reading Mencap
- Liquid Vibrations
- You Raise Me Up
South West:
- In Charley's Memory
- Samaritans of Cornwall at Truro
- Youth Adventure Trust
- Dorset Mind
- Cultivating Community
- The APE Project
- Sight Support West of England
- Swindon Women's Aid
- The Bridge Foundation
- HELP Counselling Services
- Keynsham and District Mencap Society
- Community Health Around Torpoint
- MYTime
- Dance in Devon
- BF Adventure
- Swindon Carers Centre
- The Platform Project CIC