VINCI UK Foundation calls for applications from charities to fight social exclusion
VINCI businesses across the UK and the Republic of Ireland are once again calling for funding applications from projects that help people suffering from social exclusion by improving their access to employment, mobility and housing.
The application process is open until the 31st of March 2019. Launched in 2016, the Foundation supports groups and charities local to VINCI businesses in implementing projects tackling exclusion through action, such as improving access to work or fostering community integration.
“The VINCI UK Foundation aims to permanently benefit the lives of the most excluded in society,” says Rochdi Ziyat, Board Director, VINCI UK Foundation and CEO, VINCI Energies UK and ROI. “These projects have made a real difference to the lives of so many in the UK, in Ireland and across Europe. I encourage any projects tackling social exclusion to apply for our funding.”
In 2018, a total of £207k was awarded to 24 charities via grants of between £3,000 and £20,000, and involved 27 VINCI employees. Projects are supported through the purchasing or upgrading of assets, such as costs of equipment, tools, transport, ICT or facilities refurbishment. Through the Foundation, each charity also benefits from the support of between one and three VINCI employees, who share their skills to benefit local communities. For example, projects might receive support from a skilled engineer or experienced finance manager.
Projects that received support last year include:
Serenity Farm, a charity based in Stoke-on-Trent that provides farming and animal care activities for people with learning disabilities and marginalised groups, was awarded £10,560 to upgrade its facilities and improve its range of attractions (building of a Sensory Garden and new toilet facility). In addition, several Actemium employees volunteered time to work on the project. They provided manual help, gardening and growing food, and care for the animals.
KidsOut, a Bedfordshire-based children’s charity, was awarded £12,000 to enhance its Toy Box service (through the purchase of a second-hand minivan). The charity provides many services for children, and their Toy Boxes provide brand new toys and games to children who have been rehoused due to domestic violence. In this instance, an Axians employee volunteered their time to help the charity with their telecommunication (installation of a Voiceover Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications system).
Maggie’s Centre, a Cheltenham-based charity, was awarded £7,440 to develop an Outreach Centre in the Forest of Dean. Maggie’s Centre in Cheltenham is well-known in the community for its work offering free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and their families and friends. For this project, several Actemium employees volunteered their time to organise fundraising events.
Charities or registered non-profit organisations that wish to apply for funding can do so now on the Foundation’s webpage.
