Communities across Hertfordshire are benefiting from more than £125,000 in grants
The money will be used to fund a range of projects to help connect people within their communities to combat loneliness and improve their health and well-being.
Helen Gray, Foundation Director for HCF said; “We have a proud record of supporting communities across Hertfordshire through our grant programmes and other sources of funding. We were delighted to manage this funding on behalf of Hertfordshire County Council’s Integrated Community Support team.
“Research shows that one of the biggest causes of loneliness is the lack of social connections and these grants will enable 13 organisations to break down the barriers of illness, disability and loneliness and bring people together.
"They are all fantastic projects that will benefit a range of people in our communities and I look forward to seeing them come to fruition”.
Examples of some of the projects being funded are:
- Group therapy sessions for those suffering from the illness of addiction, domestic abuse and other complex needs (£10,000 to Future Living Hertford)
- Continuity of support for vulnerable adults leaving treatment programmes for addiction and mental health issues (£10,000 to The Recover Team – Welwyn Garden City)
- A garden club for people with dementia and their carers (£7, 175 to The Red Shed Project in Stevenage)
- A community choir and concert for adults of all abilities, including those with learning disabilities (£10,000 to Electric Umbrella- Kings Langley)
- Music therapy drop-in sessions for people with dementia (£10,000 to Music24 - in Hoddesdon and Stevenage)
- An ambassador project to help reach some of the most vulnerable older people in Hertfordshire and help them to find support. (£9,990 to Small Acts of Kindness)
- Social activities for vulnerable elderly people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities who are lonely and socially isolated (£9,899 to North Herts Ethnic Minority Forum - Hitchin)
- A Gardening Club for those with a chronic mental health conditions and who have moved beyond the acute stage of illness but require ongoing preventative support. (£9,637 to Growing People – Stevenage and adjacent areas)
Helen Gray concludes; “At the heart of our grant-giving is helping those people and communities most in need. I know there are many worthwhile causes and projects out there that need our support, so please do not hesitate to contact our grants team with any queries you may have."
Councillor Terry Douris, Hertfordshire County Council said; “We are pleased to have worked with Hertfordshire Community Foundation in the distribution of the grants. We know these grants make such a difference to charities working hard to deliver initiatives and services to benefit our residents.”