We are committed to creating a lasting legacy in the communities we operate, and are proud to have invested more than £78,500 in 12 community projects and initiatives, helping to transform thousands of lives at a local level.
Launched as part of our delivery of the Restart Scheme, the Local Impact Fund provides grants to charities and community organisations across South and West Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and South and East London, offering direct benefit to the local community whilst investing in the region’s economic recovery.
Funding takes place twice each year, with local organisations invited to apply for grants of up to £10,000 to help bring their projects to life. These projects should be new and innovative, and not eligible for funding through existing national or local funding streams.
Enhancing our mission to transform lives, the fund aspires to make a positive impact within a number of communities, stimulating local labour market recovery, facilitating access to jobs in growth sectors and raising awareness of employment and training opportunities taking place in the community.
Charis Green, Head of Community Partnerships at Maximus for South and West Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, explained the importance of the fund: “The Local Impact Fund makes a positive difference to the lives of the people and organisations at the heart of the communities we serve. We are delighted to award grants to community-based organisations, who provide inspirational support and help to people when they really need it most.”
Following in-person presentations, we are delighted to announce the successful awardees, who were selected by panels consisting of Maximus employees and representatives from local authorities.
South and West Yorkshire, Nottingham and Derbyshire
- Emmaus Bradford – The homelessness charity was awarded £10,000 to provide driving lessons, tests and training to five members of its community.
- Kirklees Better Outcomes Partnership, Huddersfield – The social enterprise of specialist charity and public sector organisations was awarded £5,000 to provide a peer mentor programme to people at risk of homelessness.
- Move2Change, Keighley – The Community Interest Company was awarded £5,000 to provide two Change Maker programmes focused on supporting unemployed people.
- Sandale Community Development Trust, Bradford – The Trust was awarded £5,000 to provide Cook on a Budget sessions to the local community.
- Growing Together Education, Doncaster – The SEND provision provider and training centre was awarded £5,000 to provide Health and Social Care training to unemployed people.
- Chesterfield College Group, Bolsover – The education provider was awarded £5,000 to provide local nutrition and cooking sessions in primary schools and food pantries.
- Community Education Employment and Advice, Nottingham – The charity was awarded £5,000 to purchase an interactive whiteboard for use in English language classes.
South and East London
- The Maypole Project, Bromley – The charity was awarded £10,000 to continue their work relieving and preserving the mental and physical wellbeing of children and young people with complex medical needs and disabilities.
- Breaking Barriers, Holborn – The specialist refugee employment charity was awarded £10,000 which will contribute towards the salaries of their specialist Employment and Integration Advisors, who work to help refugees secure meaningful employment.
- The Blossom Group, Waltham Forest – The community-based organisation was awarded £7,500 to help fund the charity’s Togetherness Café project initiative, aimed at tackling social isolation and promoting community cohesion.
- Empowering Deaf Society, Redbridge – The charity was awarded £6,000 towards salary costs of an Employment Advisor, delivering deaf awareness sessions and administrative costs.
- Trailnet, Barking – The Community Interest Company was awarded £5,000 to provide bespoke Pedal Power courses to 18 local adults who are not in employment, education, or training.
Sean Talbot, Head of Community Partnerships at Maximus for South and East London, said: “It is a pleasure to help local community-based organisations through these projects and initiatives, which will be able to deliver a positive impact within a number of communities. I’m looking forward to seeing the work of these organisations in action and witnessing the difference these projects make to the lives of local people.”
We are looking forward to supporting even more community organisations when the second round of funding for 2023 opens next month. Through the Local Impact Fund, we’re able to make a positive impact within local communities – with the ultimate aim of reducing inequalities and enabling greater access to employment opportunities for all.
