Winners of our Community Support Scheme – spring 2024
Since 2015, The Equilibrium Foundation has been supporting organisations that make the local area a better place through our Community Support Scheme. Twice a year, charitable organisations operating in North West England have the opportunity to apply for a grant of up to £500.
We are delighted to announce that the winners for spring 2024 are:
Platform for Life offers free, easy-to-access counselling and play therapy to low-income families in Blacon and the Lache estates, who are experiencing mental health issues. They focus on strengthening family relationships and creating more stable and nurturing environments for children.
“Your grant of £500 will enable a child, young person or adult to access 10 free community-based therapy sessions which will help to make such a difference to their life.” – Ceri George, CEO
Reddish Men in Sheds restore old, donated bikes and sell them on to the general public at very affordable prices or donate them to schools or other community groups to allow everyone to experience the joy of cycling.
“This grant from Equilibrium is a tangible acknowledgement that our work of restoring unused bicycles has value. It is a positive form of recognition: that what we do has an impact outside of our own group.
“We rely almost entirely on funding as the income from the bikes (approx. £2,000 p.a.) cannot meet our outgoings of rent and utilities (approx. £12,000 p.a.). This grant will help us to ‘Keep on pedalling!’ Through common purpose and shared activity we can find a way out of isolation and inactivity for the older men that attend our group.” – Mary Lorigan, Administrator
Basically Cheer is a not for profit community interest company with health and wellbeing at the heart of what they do. Alongside this, they have a dance and fitness programme for people of all ages to spread happiness in their community.
“It means so much to us having support like this available to help with these initial start up costs. We are incredibly excited for the future and will be forever grateful that you have provided us with this grant.
“By receiving this grant, it means that we can move forward with our plans quicker and get the ball rolling with our new premises.” – Lianne Bruce, Founder
Manchester-based Gaydio, the UK’s LGBTQ+ radio station, holds a range of ‘Introduction to Radio’ training course for people from the LGBTQ+ community from across the North West to learn about radio content and production, and related media. We target this community, which is often hard to reach and isolated. Their courses, mostly at their studios in Manchester, give participants a range of skills, improving employability, self-esteem and confidence.
“We reduce loneliness through our participants making new friend groups, collaborating on radio and media output based on their lived experience, and joining our large network of committed volunteers.
“We are very grateful to Equilibrium for supporting the Gaydio Academy and helping more local LGBTQ+ people to experience the training courses.” – Steve Joyce, Grants and Fundraising Manager
Do you know of a not-for-profit organisation that could benefit from the community support scheme grant?
Click here to find out more on the eligibility criteria and to access the application form.
If you have any queries about our community support scheme, please do not hesitate to get in touch at charity@equilibrium.co.uk and we will be happy to assist.
The next submission deadline is Sunday 1 September 2024.
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