Almost £50,000 of grants given to community groups by Saffron Housing Trust’s Community Foundation
Saffron Housing Trust’s Community Foundation has allocated almost £50,000 in small grants to 13 local groups and not for profit organisations. The funding will be used to help improve the lives of people across Norfolk and Suffolk by encouraging community engagement or providing training and educational activities.
Applicants ranged from local town and parish councils, to village halls, a bowls club and a charity which aims to help single people find housing. The maximum amount allocated to each group is £5,000. A panel made up of Saffron staff and two members of Customer Voice (Saffron’s tenant representative group) reviewed applications and allocated £49,993 of funding to those who aimed to enhance the wellbeing of local communities.
Emillie Hildreth, Community Foundation Manager at Saffron, said: “The groups which have been allocated funding all share Saffron’s vision to create positive futures not only for our tenants, but the wider community too. We’re thrilled to be able to award the funding which should make a real difference.”
One of the groups receiving £5000 is Wacton Parish Council in South Norfolk. The money will go towards new play equipment in the Parish. Alan Arber, Parish Clerk, said: “This funding will make a huge difference to improving the facilities for local children. Sadly, the old equipment had become rotten and unusable so we are thrilled we will be able to install some new play equipment for many more families to enjoy.”
Hethersett Bowls Club is also benefiting from £1000, which along with other funding, will be used to refurbish the ditches on their bowling green. David Smith from the club said “Our club helps provide social contact for people living in Hethersett, and a healthy outdoor activity which is so important to our physical and mental health. This grant will help us improve our facilities, so more people can enjoy them for longer. We’re very grateful to the Community Foundation for awarding us the money.”
Another group to benefit is Solo Housing, a charity which aims to prevent single people from becoming homeless. The £5,000 grant will be used to provide bespoke training to its residents to help them become self-employed makers of hand crafted jewellery. Zoe Webb from Solo Housing said: “Thanks to Saffron’s Community Grant we have been able to launch this exciting new venture that recognises the potential in people and helps to provide opportunities in their community and away from homelessness.”
The groups allocated funding are:
- Wacton Parish Council
- South Norfolk Tree Wardens
- Patteson Parish Room in Cringleford
- Hingham Luncheon Club
- Hethersett Bowls Club
- Friends of Tudd Valley
- Manor Field Parent Teacher Association
- Norfolk Schools Sailing Association
- Mind The Gap
- Harleston Guides and Rangers
- Shelfhanger Village Hall
- Ted Ellis Trust
- Solo Housing