believe housing has marked a funding milestone, distributing a million pounds in grants to enhance communities and improve wellbeing across County Durham.
Since 2017, believe housing and its predecessor County Durham Housing Group have awarded more than 700 grants of £500 to £30,000 to not-for-profit organisations.
The community funding scheme has adapted over that time to address different social issues, from tackling inequalities resulting from the Covid pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis to celebrating the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
But its aim has always been to support grassroots initiatives that make a positive difference to people’s lives.
Louise Taylor, Executive Director of Governance and Strategy at believe housing, said: “Like many organisations, we have faced financial pressures, but we’ve remained committed to providing grants that help our customers and communities.
“Passing the £1m milestone is a proud occasion for us, as we know the impact these grants have, whether funding a small local initiative or supporting a larger-scale project.
“Over the years we’ve got smarter and worked hard to understand the needs of our communities, empowering organisations to deliver the right services for local people.”
The millionth pound was awarded to Howden-le-Wear Village Friends, a group focused on reducing social isolation among elderly residents in the Howden-le-Wear and Crook area.
It received £6,893 to fund a Men’s Supper Club and the Connect Group for bereaved women.
Louise visited the group alongside Rachel Edmunds, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, and Beau Mason, Community Investment Coordinator, to celebrate.
Louise added: “Connection is key to many of the projects we support.
“For some, it is about access to vital services, and, for others, it is about creating opportunities for people to come together, share experiences, and support one another. “This is fundamental to improving health, wellbeing, and a sense of community.”
Rachel said the benefits of awarding £1m to communities extend beyond the 624 small grants and 101 large grants believe housing has provided.
She said: “We’ve supported the launch of new projects and helped to sustain valued services, from youth and sports clubs to debt advice and mental health support.
“In 2023-24 alone, we awarded £268,397, which helped organisations secure £118,124 of match funding for projects with a social value exceeding £5m.
“The true impact is always most evident when we visit groups or receive feedback on how these projects have helped people and we look forward to continuing to work with partners and communities to build on this.”
Jackie Gent, who helps run the group, said: “We are very proud of the way Howden-le-Wear Village Friends has expanded over the last four years, and we are humbled by the lovely feedback we’ve received from our members.
“The funding from believe housing has been invaluable as it’s allowed us to develop exciting and supportive activities for our two new ventures.
“Thank you, believe housing, we couldn’t have done it without you!”
To find out more about our grants and funding please click here.
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