Delivering meaningful social value relies on creating strong partnerships with organisations rooted in their communities. These organisations understand the complex challenges people face and provide targeted, responsive support that makes a tangible difference. By working alongside them, we’re helping to strengthen local capacity, improve access to employment and ensure support reaches those who need it most.
As part of our Restart Scheme delivery, we invest in charities and grassroots groups across South and West Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and South and East London through the Local Impact Fund. Since March 2023, the fund has awarded more than £375,000 to 54 community-led projects. As a result, it has played a vital role in strengthening local economies, improving resilience, and delivering support where it’s most needed.
Latest Funding Round: £100,000 Supporting 11 Organisations
Building on this momentum, the latest funding round has therefore awarded over £100,000 to 11 organisations dedicated to helping people overcome barriers such as poverty, homelessness, exclusion and digital or language disadvantage. Collectively, their programmes are improving wellbeing, developing skills, supporting stable housing, and creating clear pathways into education, training, and long-term employment.
Anne Seddon, Social Value Manager for South and West Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire at Maximus, said: “Being part of this funding round has been genuinely uplifting. We’ve been able to award over £100,000 to organisations that are transforming lives across our communities – supporting people to move from challenging circumstances into greater stability and opportunity.
“These organisations are helping individuals to build confidence, learn new skills, access housing, and improve their wellbeing. Crucially, they are enabling people to take meaningful steps towards employment and long-term independence. Seeing the difference this funding makes is incredibly inspiring, and we’re proud to stand alongside organisations that bring hope, dignity, and real possibility to the people they support.”
That sustained approach is reflected in the experience of Community Education Employment and Advice, a Nottingham-based charity supported across multiple rounds. Charity Manager Hilma Muzammil said: “The ongoing support we’ve received through the Local Impact Fund has transformed what we can offer our community. Across multiple rounds of funding, we’ve been able to remove childcare barriers through toddler-friendly English and parenting classes. We have also helped eight women launch home-based businesses through enterprise training with NTU Enterprise Centre. In addition, we’ve supported service users to progress into volunteering, qualifications, and meaningful employment. This is the power of sustained investment – change that keeps growing.”
Funded organisations in this round
Successful organisations are chosen by a panel of Maximus employees and representatives from local authorities. In our latest funding round, the following organisations were awarded grants to help fund their community projects:
- Community Education Employment and Advice (CEEA) – Building on support from previous funding rounds, this Nottingham-based charity has received a further £3,800 to deliver a volunteering qualification leading to Teaching Assistant roles, alongside ESOL, employability support, and digital inclusion activities for refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers.
- Clifton Learning Partnership – Working in one of Rotherham’s most disadvantaged areas, this charity supports children, young people, families, and refugees. A £9,936 grant will expand its ESOL provision and youth training, strengthening participants’ language skills and pathways into education and work.
- Community Ambition CIC – Based in Bradford, the organisation provides practical advice, advocacy, and tailored skills support for young people not in education, employment, or training, including ESOL and advocacy support. With a £10,000 grant, they’ll provide welfare and employment guidance alongside workshops designed to improve digital confidence and job readiness.
- Education Advice Service for Adults (E.A.S.A) – A long‑established education and employment support organisation in Bradford, offering guidance and skills programmes for adults of all ages. With a £10,000 grant, the organisation will expand digital inclusion support, confidence‑building activities, and ESOL provision to help individuals progress into training and employment.
- Home-Start Kirklees – A volunteer‑led family support charity in Huddersfield, helping vulnerable parents with young children through practical and emotional support, including peer support for young parents aged 14 to 24. The £9,000 grant will enable them to continue delivering confidence‑building support that reduces child poverty and helps parents create more stable futures for their families.
- Huddersfield Giants Community Trust – The charitable arm of Huddersfield Giants Rugby League Club, providing community sport, education, health, and wellbeing activities across Kirklees. The £8,644 grant will strengthen their wellbeing offer and deliver confidence‑building interventions linked to employment, using sport to inspire people of all ages.
- Leeds Baby Bank – A £10,000 grant will support Leeds Baby Bank to reduce child poverty by providing essential baby items that improve family wellbeing; while easing financial pressure so parents can rebuild confidence and focus on employment and long‑term stability.
- Offploy CIC – A social enterprise offering lived-experience-led support for people with convictions, and a longstanding Community Partnership Network (CPN) partner. The £9,300 grant to expand confidence‑building, wellbeing and employment‑focused support while addressing wider challenges such as housing stability – helping individuals work toward safer, more independent futures.
- Second Chance Learning Academy – Based in Nottingham, the charity supports individuals facing significant personal challenges through one‑to‑one guidance focused on confidence, wellbeing, and employment readiness. With a £9,942 grant, they will enhance their training and skills development offer, helping people overcome barriers and move toward more positive, stable futures.
- Standing Tall CIO – Working with people experiencing homelessness across Nottingham, Standing Tall matches individuals with safe housing and supportive employers. With a £10,000 grant, they will launch a Nottingham programme that places individuals into housing and work with supportive employers, creating a clear route from homelessness to long‑term stability.
- Yorkshire Wildlife Trust – Operating across more than 100 nature reserves, the Trust supports children and young people through nature‑based activities that promote health, wellbeing, and resilience. With a £10,000 grant, they will expand outdoor learning and conservation opportunities for young people across the region.
For individuals receiving this support, the difference can be life-changing – something Second Chance Learning Academy has seen first-hand. Chloe Bacon, Marketing and Community Engagement Lead said: “Funding from the Local Impact Fund has enabled Second Chance Learning Academy to provide personalised, wraparound support to learners moving into employment. One of the first participants on the project has now started a customer service role in West Bridgford. With support covering CV development, interview preparation and post placement wellbeing check ins. The learner has expressed sincere gratitude for the support that helped him feel confident, supported and able to succeed in work.”
These investments demonstrate the value of placing funding directly into the hands of organisations with deep local knowledge and trusted community relationships.
The Local Impact Fund is not only enabling the delivery of targeted support – it is strengthening local systems, building resilience, and creating sustainable pathways to employment. By investing in community-led solutions, Maximus is helping to deliver long-term outcomes that extend well beyond the life of the funding, with the positive impact continuing to grow with each funding round.
