Local Community Foundation Supports the Elderly

During winter, when there is a focus in particular on the elderly and vulnerable in society, Leicestershire & Rutland Community Foundation is delighted that five of their most recent beneficiaries work with elderly people across the counties of Leicestershire and Rutland, to improve quality of life.

Leicestershire & Rutland Community Foundation is a unique charity that acts as a platform for local giving. The foundation manages numerous donor funds for private individuals, families and businesses as well as furthering the purposes of former charities that are no longer in operation. The main objective of the Foundation is to connect the wishes and objectives of the various fund holders to the many small, local voluntary sector groups that work hard but are largely hidden in the local area.

In this way, the funds which sit on the Community Foundation platform make a huge difference, helping to support organisations that would otherwise struggle to survive. Some donors prefer to direct their giving, and the Foundation will always facilitate this by suggesting appropriate local groups that meet their criteria. However, under their unique donor matching scheme, the Foundation also manages funds with a broader remit, allowing a grants panel to make decisions about grant making – which quickly and directly helps some of the many groups which apply for consideration.

In their latest round of matched giving, the Foundation has helped twelve local groups with more than £23,000 of funding which will enable multiple worthwhile projects to get off the ground or continue ongoing good work. Of these, five directly support elderly people.

In Croft, funding will help Croft Happy Circle to run a bus collection and drop-off service for elderly and infirm persons in this rural community, in order for them to attend a social group, while Oaks in Charnwood Senior Citizens Group also benefited from funding including transport costs for an older person's social club.

Measham Medical Unit received funding to establish a regular singing group for Dementia patients, mainly over the age of 65 and their carers, and Leicester Stroke Club secured a grant to cover the costs of art and craft sessions for people who have suffered a stroke. The aim of this activity is to improve hand/eye coordination and reduce social isolation among stroke victims who are predominantly 65+.

And Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport is now able to continue the delivery of 'The Twilight Games' – a programme of adapted activity which enables elderly residents in care settings to access sport and physical activity in an appropriate and safe environment.

Grants were also made to groups engaged in arts, music, educational activities, social activities for disabled young adults, support for the homeless, money advice and a community hub offering access to computers to many local people, providing an important resource for them to look for work, and source information and services.

For more information on the varied and far-reaching work of the Community Foundation please contact Katy Green on 0116 262 4804 or email katy.green@llrcommunityfoundation.org.uk.

Source: (Community Foundation Leicestershire & Rutland, 2018)