Branches & agencies
The Society is extremely proud of their Community Foundation which enables us to reinvest our profits back into our local communities of Leicestershire and Warwickshire. Along with grants of up to £5,000 we often extend our sharing with the recipient groups to include our time and skills, to help push forward plans which will benefit local people.
Over recent weeks teams from the Society have done just that when visiting two of our current community partners – Broughton Astley Volunteer Group at their community allotments and Weddington Allotment Association.
Society staff helped the Broughton group prepare and paint fencing which will be used for the developing children’s area, which will include a place for children to dig and a mud kitchen. Over in Weddington the team worked hard to clear and prepare a space for the new raised beds which were also built and put in place on the day.
Tracey Phipps, the Society’s Network Business Development Manager, organised and took part in the session in Broughton Astley, and commented on the positive engagement the volunteer group has across the local community:
“The work they have planned is amazing and they have engaged with so many people from around the local community to help them achieve it, it’s really inspiring! We had a great day, and we hope to be back again in the future to help cross off some more jobs on the list!”
Senior Savings Assistant Fiona Baggott was part of the team who rolled up their sleeves in Weddington, and reflected on her experience:
“It was hard work, but extremely rewarding when you stand back and see what you’ve achieved. Also, it was great to work as a team with people I only normally get to say a quick hello to in the office.
I would encourage everyone to take part in these types of activities when they are given the opportunity, it is great for us as individuals, and we get to provide some valuable help to fantastic people doing great work in our local area.”
The Weddington Allotment Association will be using this space to grow fruit and vegetables for the Community Pantry and to provide hands on sessions for young people, those with learning difficulties and dementia. They also have plans to connect with local GP surgeries to do the same for people struggling with their mental health in the future.
To find out more about the Society’s Community Foundation and who we’re currently working with visit our Community Foundation page.
