Comic Relief has awarded a total of £34,712 through the ‘Core Strength – Local Communities Programme’ to support 6 local community groups and charitable organisations working in deprived or disadvantaged areas with their day-to-day core running costs.
The Comic Relief Core Strength – Local Communities Programme recognises the importance of investing in local community organisations to ensure they continue to play a pivotal role in supporting local people facing social issues in disadvantaged areas. These small organisations truly understand the needs of the people they serve, making a huge difference to their lives.
Unfortunately they have been hit particularly hard by the recent economic climate leaving them urgently in need of core funding to continue their crucial work.
On the Isle of Wight, Pan Together has received £5,000 from the grants programme, which is administered by the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF).
Pan Together operates from brand new Community Centre premises offering a variety of services and amenities to improve the lives of local residents, including older people, children and families. The grant will help to keep the community centre operating by covering day-to-day running costs including utility bills, maintenance, cleaning, IT, stationery and book keeping costs.
In addition, Pan Together will be able to appoint a new Café Manager to help seek funding, develop the centre and keep the café open throughout the day. The café offers healthy food and a place to come for advice and friendship, helping those experiencing social isolation and loneliness to feel they have somewhere to turn to when they are feeling low.
Jonathan Cheshire, Chairman of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation commented:
“We are delighted to be working with Comic Relief to support these fantastic local voluntary organisations through the ‘Core Strength – Local Communities’ grants. These groups carry out inspiring work impacting on the day-to-day lives of people in need to make a huge difference. HIWCF works hard to ensure that grant-making focuses on the areas of greatest need and last year we were able to target 70% of our £1.1m grant spend to the 50% most deprived wards in our area.”
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To find out more about HIWCF and our valuable work across Hampshire and Isle of Wight, Southampton and Portsmouth please visit www.hiwcf.com.
