The Foundation continues to awards grants weekly and we’ve been inundated with feedback from projects we’ve been supporting!
This feedback isn’t just for us, it’s for everybody who’s supported our efforts during this pandemic. Thank you.
To find out how much of an impact the Coronavirus Resilience Fund is having on the grassroots organisations, working tirelessly in our communities, read below:
You can apply for funding here.
You can contribute to the fund here.
The Women & Families Resource Centre – Karyne Tazi
“Thank you for supporting the important emergency and preventative work that our organisation is providing for emotionally, socially and economically disadvantaged women and families in Wolverhampton.
“This funding means that we’re able to make a huge difference in the lives of many vulnerable families during these critical times of the pandemic. We’re very grateful for your support and look forward to keeping you updated about how your contribution has made an impact in the lives of women in Wolverhampton.”
Time Bank – Sarah
“Without the grant there was a very real chance that the Time Bank might have had to stop activity until more traditional grant routes re-opened. This would have left our members unsupported and community activities discontinued.
“Rural isolation is always an issue in Stratford-on-Avon and is one of the things with which Stratford Time Bank seeks to offer practical support. With the country on lock-down, we’ve seen how isolated some of our members are. We’ve been able to give members new connections by extending our existing befriending scheme to encourage members to support each other during this time. We’ve also developed a number of online activities that our members can get involved with, including social meetings and wellbeing activities, such as mindfulness sessions. We’ve been keeping connected to other local organisations so we can act as a signposting point, as well as supporting our organisational members, making sure we can connect and support as many people as possible across our district.
“It’s incredibly important at this time that grant makers are able to respond quickly. These are unprecedented times which are highlighting additional needs within communities. Quick responses from funders enables existing organisations and new community groups to reach and support people in new ways. It’s my hope that this will create a legacy of support in rural communities that will last long after the lock-down is over.”
Carriers of Hope – Kate Wilson
“The grant has enabled us to buy essentials for refugees and asylum seekers in Coventry including cleaning material, emergency hobs, food and other essentials for those in the community who rely on our support. Without the grant we’d have had to refuse support to many of the families we’re helping.
“The borders have not closed and refugees are still arriving every week being put into emergency accommodation in Coventry. We usually take donated items to support them, but unable to accept second hand items due to COVID-19, we were struggling with sourcing donations. If we’d not received the grant we could only distribute items supporters are sending us via our amazon wish list, which is limited.
“The main issue our grant will support is people with limited English who have no idea where else to seek support. We already have the links into the community, interpreters and the knowledge of the community issues.
“It’s very important that grant makers are adaptable, especially at a time like this, where charities and the community were not prepared. Last week we supported 72 families with deliveries!”
Women Acting in Today’s Society – Joanne Dolan
“Without this grant the isolation of our women would be increasing, leading to depression and morbid thoughts. Our women are already isolated, having been able to leave their perpetrators, many women live in fear and are lonely. The lock-down is triggering anxiety, negative thoughts and bringing back a lot of memories from when they lived in fear before.
“Again, this is important because many women we support have come so far on their journey to having a fulfilled life and integrating back with communities. We’ll recruit a volunteer coordinator to support our support workers by organising virtual coffee mornings and workshops as well as recruiting new volunteers to be befrienders.
“It’s fundamental to the ongoing nature of grassroots charities that grant makers are dynamic and able to respond effectively to emerging needs. Communities are constantly shifting, what we’ve seen in the last weeks is an unprecedented shift in need, women and families who’ve been forced into crisis mode, living day by day and hand to mouth. As a small charity the ability to meet the needs of the communities we support is paramount and flexible funding and trusting forward thinking grant makers is fundamental to that.”
Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – Angela Corry
“The overarching positive effect of the funding on the mental health and well-being of the patients has been exceptional. The extra facilities and activities have had a positive impact on the patients’ ability to get better. At present there are no visitors to the wards and our usual entertainment programme of musicians, magicians, parties, etc has been postponed which has left people feeling isolated.
“The £1,500 we were awarded from your Foundation has helped the dedicated Stroke Rehabilitation Ward and the Inpatient Neuro-Rehabilitation Ward who both received TVs, DVD/CDs, a boom box and a selection of board games, crafts and jigsaws.
“Your Foundation acted quickly and awarded the grant at pace. We were very impressed with your response and how quickly the funding was received.”
Newbigin Community Trust – Christina Davids
“Many in our community would’ve faced hunger and potentially catastrophic isolation. Even with this support many continue to struggle, but we hope to at least prevent people reaching crisis point and increasing the strain on overloaded local services.
“One of the largest issues we’ve been trying to combat is a large increase in those who struggle with substance misuse. Lack of social contact has caused many to relapse or increase their use, which has damaged their mental health, increases their risk of inciting or being victims of violence, and may lead to overdoses or other medical emergencies. There’s also the potential risk that the supply will slow, increasing these risks. We’re trying to plan for all eventualities and create a contingency for helping families once lock-down is lifted. The support this grant allows is vital in that.
“It’s vital that grant makers try to keep up with the speed the crisis is developing. As the NHS bares the clinical strain, charities like ours are trying to manage the social strain, which will be a massive problem in the months to come if something isn’t done now.”
Northfield Stroke Club – Anita Nicholas
“If we weren’t here, our members would be very isolated. Many have mobility problems; some have brain function issues and others speech problems. Shopping would be difficult as would getting hold of medicines. The grant will support our volunteers to do shopping and collect medicines for those members without family support. We’re keeping in touch through our Facebook page and through telephone calls and emails.
“The funds will cover the cost of food, volunteer mileage and the additional telephone costs. It’s extremely important for us to be able to access funding almost immediately. This greatly enhanced our planning process and enabled us to devise a suitable response quickly”
Digikick – Sair Reading
“If we weren’t able to provide internet access support, many of our customers would have no one to talk to and would spend hours alone. Many of our customers would be worried about their Children in different countries. Many would not be able to access their prescriptions, or the Council, or access their own money.
“Many new customers would have little or no where to go and learn about the internet in a way that is relatable to them. Meaning they would be left alone, without support or access to their basic needs.
“Many people already struggle or can’t use the internet. At this time more than ever, people need cost efficient ways to be able to keep in contact with family and friends, access shopping, medication and money to survive the epidemic. Most of our customers are contacting us for social calls to break up the day. The grant has supported us to move our services to online platforms, to develop more resources that are FREE and can be used at home, and time to market to the younger generation on helping their elderly get online.
“This quick response has been extremely important, there are so many local organisations and so many individuals who have relationships with communities that need support. To access the people who are in need and isolated, the people who are doing the face to face work need training and the correct tools to do the job, as well as the customers needing the best trained people to support them with their needs. Quick responses save lives.“
African French Speaking Community Support – Jacques Matensi
“We’ve come across many vulnerable older people who can’t go out because of their health conditions. Without this support, these vulnerable adults could starve themselves and be unable to top up their electricity or gas.
“We’re using our grant to provide food stuffs, toilet rolls, electricity top or gas top ups and also doing some running around for people who can’t go out because of their health conditions. In addition, we’re busy with supporting people with Universal credit, Council tax claims and making phone calls. We’re also making sure to speak to the most isolated members of the community.”
The Canley Community Centre -Tom Hickinbottom
“Without the support of the Heart of England Community Foundation funding, the community centre would be unable to provide this vital service to the residence of Canley. Canley is a deprived area of Coventry and contains a large number of vulnerable people. Without the support, the health and wellbeing of many residence would be risked. As we know it’s important to keep people’s health up during this time and providing a source of food is a significant part of this.
“The grant will help to provide a food hub in the community centre that will provide food parcels to those in need who are unable to either financially afford food or are too vulnerable to get to the shops.
“This is a fast-moving situation and without this support we would be unable to provide this service. Doing so means that we’re able to ensure people are fed and remain healthy. The coming weeks will also see the impact of job cuts as many do not have the financial reserves needed to provide food for their families. Delay would mean significant risk to the health and wellbeing of some members of the community.”
St John Devine Church – Rev Pam Howell
“Without this work people in our area would be suffering with hunger and lack of essential provisions, including toiletries. We’re one of the most deprived areas of the country and the need for basic support are ever more acute in this crisis. Children and elderly people would be neglected. Looting could have arisen and burglary of local shops if hungry people were not helped. Self-isolating and shielded people would not be able to get much needed medication/prescriptions.
“The need for fresh food, fruit vegetables, bread, milk, as well as staple foods, and basic toiletries such as toilet rolls, shampoo, shower gel, baby milk, nappies, feminine hygiene products. We’ve been able to give some Easter Eggs to families with children too.
“It’s essential to the lives and well-being of people in communities that grant makers respond quickly to issues in communities and we are incredibly grateful!”
Tappy Twins – Suzanne Skeete
“Without this the children and their parents wouldn’t be getting the vital online counselling support needed, they’re now, thanks to your funding which will support mental and emotional issues, isolation issues, self-harming and suicidal thoughts and domestic violence.
“It’s vital that grant makers respond quickly to any issues our communities are facing. I’m thrilled at the speed and compassion that you’ve shown with our grant.”
