Thanks to our wonderful supporters we’ve been able to award over £100k to 21 charities across the UK this Autumn, 15 of whom are new beneficiaries of the Foundation.
Join us in spotlighting the following charities, and we will share more about their brilliant community projects and initiatives over the course of the coming months:
Rubens Retreat - A Derbyshire charity supporting families who have lost a child or have a child with complex medical needs. A £4k grant will provide 100 hours of bereavement counselling for grieving families.
Save The Family* - This Cheshire charity offers housing and support for homeless and at-risk families. A £4k+ grant will fund a rainbow stage and picnic bench to enhance an outdoor area for disadvantaged children.
The Together Project - A Manchester charity addressing social isolation with community-building programs. A £6.5k+ grant will enable the setup and operation of two new groups for a year.
Been There - With a £1.5k grant, this Buckinghamshire charity can now fund DBS checks for 100+ volunteer mentors supporting adults (18 and over) with crippling body image concerns.
Happy Days Charity - Founded by three mums in 1992 and based in Hitchin, this charity funds special outings—like trips to the seaside, theatres, zoos, and museums - for children across the UK with mental, physical, and emotional challenges. A £1k+ grant will fund an accessible theatre performance for 130 disabled children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Headway Norfolk and Waveney Charity - Based in Norwich, this organisation supports adults affected by brain injuries from causes like strokes, road accidents, and falls. A £1.2k grant will fund a specialized wheelchair, accessible woodworking table, projector, and screen.
Smiling Families Charity - Founded by Paul and Kerry Martin after Kerry's life-threatening illness following their son Owen’s difficult birth, this charity arose from their desire to connect with other families facing similar challenges. Seeing limited support, they organized family fun days for Midlands-based families affected by illness, providing opportunities to relax and bond. In addition to events, the charity offers support systems to help families build friendships with others who share similar experiences. A £6,600 grant will fund a trailer and a host of new sensory toys, to serve as a mobile toy library, for the charity’s beneficiaries.
Derventio Charitable Trust - support people affected by homelessness to make positive changes in their lives. Their Empowerment Fund buys small items that have a big impact on people’s self-worth, confidence and motivation. A grant of £2.7k will go towards purchasing food hampers for people living in supported housing in the Derbyshire area.
The Special Lioness* - Founded in 2017 by two mums of children with life-limiting conditions and profound disabilities in Tyne & Wear, this charity was born out of a shared need for honest advice on products, medical concerns, and emotional support. After meeting at a Portage sensory group, they recognized a unique opportunity to support other families facing similar challenges, and their journey began. £3.3k will now see over 100 children attend a Christmas Pantomime and receive a special visit from Santa this year.
Stop.Breathe.Think - is a mental health charity offering online counselling to those aged 8-21, who cannot afford or access support quickly. No wait times and available nationally, they provide vital support to those who need it right now. With the Foundation’s help they are now able to provide free counselling to 30 young people in Scotland who have felt the effects of isolation. Grant total, £7.5k.
Burgess Hill Pantry (Burgess Hill Community Cupboard CIO) - A Sussex-based community pantry promoting dignity, choice, and hope by providing a shop-like experience with fresh produce and frozen goods. Members pay a small weekly fee to select from a wide range of groceries. A £1.5k grant will fund a new glass-fronted freezer, expanding their storage capacity.
Alder Trust - The Firgrove Centre - This Hampshire charity, awarded £7.7k, will expand its support to seven days a week for parents experiencing baby loss, including stillbirth and miscarriage. The Firgrove Centre provides counseling and resources for unintended pregnancies, pre- and post-abortion, miscarriage, and baby loss.
SATEDA - A Swale-based domestic abuse charity helping women and children escape and recover from violence in their homes. A £9.2k grant will fund the "Healing Together" program, supporting 35 children affected by domestic abuse.
Fight Against Blindness - This charity empowers children and young people with visual impairments to reach their full potential. A £7.9k grant will fund a clinical psychologist to support children experiencing sight loss.
Devon Rape Crisis - Providing confidential support for survivors of rape, sexual assault, and childhood abuse across Devon and Torbay, this charity received a £7.1k grant to develop a licensed app with resources to aid in recovery.
*A special thank you to our wonderful Junior Ambassadors, Ben Macleod and Vincent Baker, both of whom chose these two charitable projects to be funded.
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