A partnership between two charitable foundations has secured significant grant funding to support the community work of ten grassroots charitable organisations in Nottinghamshire.
The Randal Charitable Foundation and Forever Notts share a similar purpose to encourage philanthropy for the benefit of local communities, with a view to making the city and county a better place to live and work, as well as to create positive change for one and all.
Grant funding has been provided by the Randal Foundation, which works in the UK and globally to directly save and significantly improve the lives of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable in society.
Forever Notts specialises in working with like-minded organisations to secure funding for local charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises – having distributed over £30m of grant funding since 2001 to over 4,000 community groups – connecting people who care with causes that matter.
Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL, Chairman of the Randal Foundation, said: “Our focus is supporting causes which offer the biggest impact at a grassroots level, which is why we’re so delighted to be working in partnership with Forever Notts.
“Together, we have created an approach which will provide financial support to local charitable and voluntary organisations throughout the city and county, which provide the essential hands-on work that’s making a real difference to local communities.”
The charities and groups receiving grant funding include: African Women Empowerment Forum (St Ann’s, Nottingham), Blidworth on the Move Support Network, Diversify Education and Communities (Bilborough, Nottingham), Eastwood Volunteer Bureau, Gardens of Giving (Skegby), Greenwood Riding for the Disabled Association (Edwinstowe & Clipstone), Hope Hut (St Ann’s, Nottingham), The Muslim Women’s Organisation (Radford, Nottingham), Windmill Community Gardens (Leen Valley) and the Alan Turing Project (Beeston West). Further information on each organisation and how they plan to use the funding is featured below.
Nina Dauban, Chief Executive of Forever Notts, said: “We’re proud to have been a cornerstone of local philanthropy since 1997. Since our inception, we’ve been working tirelessly to help reduce the number of people tumbling into poverty and unstable circumstances.
“Our partnership with the Randal Foundation is a significant moment in this journey, as the need for local support services is higher than ever. We would like to say a huge thank you for their support, which is very welcome at a time when the pressure on our grant-making is only increasing.”
Ten Notts charitable and voluntary organisations receiving funding from the Randal Foundation:
- African Women Empowerment Forum, St Ann’s Nottingham: The forum’s Breaking the Silence: Menopause Awareness in Conservative Communities Project seeks to address a critical but often overlooked issue around menopause awareness and support. Within Nottingham’s traditionally conservative communities, such as the African migrants and refugees community, cultural taboos and limited knowledge about menopause significantly impacts women’s health and wellbeing. With the grant, the forum will implement a comprehensive approach to tackle these challenges through education, awareness and support.
- Blidworth On The Move Support Network: The network supports service users by transporting them to healthcare appointments, such as GP surgeries or hospitals for regular essential treatments. Funding has been provided to purchase a replacement vehicle as the current one is now not fit for purpose. The vehicle has wide doors to support people living with mobility disabilities, as well as a back door to transport wheelchair users.
- Diversify Education and Communities, Bilborough, Nottingham: They provide opportunities for personal growth and community engagement, to support improved mental health and wellbeing. They work to equip individuals with skills and knowledge to help them overcome obstacles and navigate life’s challenges with greater confidence. The grant will enable them to offer workshops and training programs that equip individuals with valuable skills, leading to better job prospects and economic stability.
- Eastwood Volunteer Bureau: The bureau recruits volunteers for their Food Bank, Transport and Befriending Schemes. Funding will support the costs of their Be-A-Friend Project, including the salary of a coordinator, supporting salary for cover when they are not in the office, and some volunteering expenses.
- Gardens of Giving, Skegby: They are encouraging local people to ‘get growing’ by turning waste wood into planters, and donating them to local community groups and schools. The popular service is currently experiencing an extended waiting list, which the funding will help address. Parts of the Skegby area are on low incomes and by getting people to see how easy it can be to grow their own fresh produce, the charity hopes to help alleviate some of these financial pressures. They are also focused on getting children involved in schools, as research shows youngsters are more likely to try and eat the healthy food they grow themselves from a seed.
- Greenwood Riding for the Disabled Association, Edwinstowe & Clipstone: Funding will go towards the costs for stabling, shoeing and livery services during one operational quarter of this financial year and into the next. Horses are integral to the service the association offers for children with disabilities, providing essential exercise, therapy and fun through horse-riding to promote physical and mental health and wellbeing. The association sees the horses as living assets, so they need to plan well in advance to be sure they have sufficient resources to provide for their care, which equates to more than 90% of expenditure.
- Hope Hut, St Ann’s, Nottingham: They run a group for children and adults, where they organise sports and activities for children and families in the summer months. There is also a warm space with food, drink and indoor games in the winter. The funding will enable them to build upon this success and establish the foundations for future growth. A role of Business Development Manager will be sustainable beyond this funding, as they are planning to become a charity during 2025. This would give them the opportunity to apply for more funding with a combination of grants and donations.
- The Muslim Women’s Organisation, Radford, Nottingham: The organisation aims to improve the health and wellbeing of local women by addressing health needs. The women are empowered to make changes to their lifestyles in-order-to improve theirs and their family’s health. The service users will be cooking healthy lunches for the Friday Luncheon Club, which is attended by 15 to 30 women aged 55 to 80. The group has introduced the women to healthy food, and are promoting a more healthy lifestyle to improve wellness.
- Windmill Community Gardens, Leen Valley: As a community garden and a garden of sanctuary, their role is to help support people by offering a place which truly is a focus for community activity. They believe offering a healthy, nutritious meal, cooked together, is an effective way to address these needs, especially when combined with gentle exercise and easy activities. They will run a series of 28 weekly lunches from Spring into the Autumn, which will be prepared on-site using fresh produce wherever possible. This will increase service-users wellbeing and help reduce the sense of isolation for those living alone.
- Alan Turing Project, Beeston West: The project introduces young people with autism, particularly those with low needs, to the impactful history of World War 2 in an engaging and supportive manner. Drawing inspiration from Alan Turing’s contributions to codebreaking and his own struggles with social communication, the project offers participants an opportunity to explore key events of the war, learn practical life skills like cooking, and visit historically significant sites that resonate with the themes of history, perseverance and the importance of community.
