Four great causes in Worcestershire have been chosen to receive a share of £14,800 in grant funding from the Prime Foundation, to help improve health and wellbeing in the city.
Despite the challenges the coronavirus pandemic has presented, the Foundation received a wealth of high standard of applications from organisations keen to enhance lives in the community and provide much-needed support to the vulnerable during these unprecedented times.
Funding will go towards four projects chosen by the Prime Foundation, including: new sports and craft equipment for the Perdiswell Young People’s Leisure Club, a short production tour provided by Vamos Theatre, and a safety boat and trailer for the Evesham Sea Cadets.
There is also funding allocated to Worcester Snoezelen, to help fund online music sessions for people with learning disabilities and additional needs.
Awarding of funding
The Prime Foundation, set up in 2007 by Worcester based healthcare property developer Prime, distribute a percentage of Prime’s profits back into the community.
Jan Marriott, Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Prime Foundation, said: “The projects we’ve chosen all aim to improve health and wellbeing by enriching the lives of people living in Worcestershire.
“Charities have been hit hard by the pandemic with eight out of 10 charities believing Covid-19 could have a negative impact on their ability to deliver planned objectives within the next year. And yet they have all tried really hard to continue to support people during these difficult times.
“We hope the funding can make a difference to these charities and to the communities in Worcestershire and we’ll be following the achievements of the projects. We look forward to hearing from the individuals and families who have been touched by the new projects and initiatives funded.”
Projects
Perdiswell Young People’s Leisure Club will receive £3,616 from the Prime Foundation to invest in sports and craft equipment for use at their twice weekly Inclusion Club sessions for young people of all abilities and for use by other youth groups.
Phil Weston, OBE and Development Manager at the club, said: “We’re thrilled that the club has been awarded funding to support our Inclusion Project for young people with disabilities. The funding will enable more young people to have an opportunity to participate in an exciting activity project involving a variety of sports, arts and crafts.”
Vamos Theatre will receive almost £5,000 from the Foundation to go towards their short tour of new production Love Through Double Glazing. The tour will take place at five Worcestershire care homes with the company performing silent theatre outside the homes for residents to watch from safety, indoors.
Rachael Savage, Artistic Director at Vamos Theatre, said: “Care home residents have had a tough time this year, with limited access to activities and loved ones. So, looking after their physical and mental health is more important than ever.
“We created our new show, Love Through Double Glazing, as a direct response to Covid-19 and the isolation felt by residents of care homes, day centres and other settings where visiting may be restricted. We’re delighted that a tour of the production is being made possible through the support of The Prime Foundation. It will make a big difference to residents throughout Worcestershire.”
Funding has been allocated to the Evesham Sea Cadets to purchase a safety boat and trailer in order to train and give young people life skills through experiential waterborne adventure.
Lieutenant Craig Girling-Jones, Commanding Officer at Evesham Sea Cadets, said: “The purchase of a safety boat will enable our cadets and volunteers to get active and out on the water carrying out training to achieve nationally recognised qualifications.
“Covid-19 has affected our cadets and volunteer’s ability to meet throughout 2020. The safety boat will give us the ability to meet outside and take part in physical activities in a safe Covid secure way.”
Worcester Snoezelen will also receive a share of the grant to fund online music sessions, including their weekly ‘Rock School’ and one-to-one sessions conducted over Zoom.
Rachel Court, Community Engagement Officer at Worcester Snoezelen, said: “Many of the people who use the service are unable to leave their homes and isolation has affected many more people because of the coronavirus restrictions. However, being able to meet online and make music together has brought joy and community spirit to many people.
“It started in July as a temporary response to Covid-19, but it’s been so popular we want it to continue. The goodwill of the Prime Foundation will enable us to purchase what we need to reach out to people with music in our community.”