Dozens of charities and community groups in Worcestershire are now in celebration after they received a share of the £180,000 fund from Worcestershire Community Foundation (WCF). The funding aims to cater to groups that actively strive to better the lives of affected people in Worcester who have little to no access to financial support, which is essential in running a charitable organization in today’s economy.
A lifeline for community support
According to the report, the funding so far has proved to be greatly advantageous to 31 groups across the county, including charities such as Worcester Snoezelen. Snoezelen is a charity organization that has spent over 30 years providing support to children and individuals with learning disabilities and other special needs.
The charity organization received a total of £5,000, which would enable it to provide the much-needed services to remain in operation. Speaking on the matter, Paul Davies, who has a stepson, Liam, who has attended the session for 31 years, re-emphasized the importance of the funding, noting that without it, the individual they support will have little to no opportunities to thrive.
In further developments, Wyre Forest and South Worcestershire Nightstop were also recipients as they were awarded a total of £10,000, which is believed would aid them in continuing to offer temporary accommodation to youth in need. Records show that there has been a steep increase in the number of people who seek roofs over their heads.
“Our work solely relies on volunteers and funds from the community, which makes it even more challenging,” stated Judith Ford, a charity representative, as she expressed their profound thanks for the funding.
Worcestershire Community Foundation’s transformative life impact
The funding received from the foundation for many is not just financial support but also a chance to live changes. Grace, one of the Nightstop’s beneficiaries, a 17-year-old who became homeless after a family breakdown, shared how the program has provided her with both shelter and a supportive environment that has been pivotal in helping her regain her confidence.
“My hosts are amazing. They helped me grow 100% and were always there for me when I needed them,” she said.
The Worcestershire Community Foundation describes itself as a charitable hub dedicated to empowering organizations that might otherwise struggle to find funding. Director Lucy Wells highlighted the foundation’s mission, stating that the grants focus on smaller charities that lack access to traditional funding sources.