Case studies
East End Community Arts
When East End Community Arts called for our help to get their project off the ground,
we were there to provide the support needed. We helped fund a drama project in four
schools in the East End of Glasgow that gave young people the chance to develop
their drama and film making skills.
The Listening Books service
We also came to the aid of The Listening Books service, when they needed help to
cover the cost of 40 memberships. The service provides audio books for those who
find it difficult to read or hold a book due to illness or disability, including
dyslexia.
The funding has been used to help all those members – aged from seven upwards –
to enjoy the benefits of reading and learning.
West Cornwall Wheels to Work
West Cornwall Wheels to Work provides transportation to those living in remote areas,
allowing them to get to work.
The Links Foundation helped pay for a minibus, which was needed to take mopeds to
jobseekers to give them more opportunities to find work. The mini bus will also
be used as a mobile serving unit.
Friends of Craigielea
The Links Foundation provided the Friends of Craigielea with £3,000 towards the cost of the creation of raised flower
beds, greenhouse and arbour.
The project provides
local people, including those confined to wheelchairs, with the chance to enjoy a garden
and the outdoors.
Neighbourhood education centre
Whitehawk Inn is a neighbourhood education centre which delivers a range of tasters, workshops and courses across
a wide range of topics.
A centre manager was needed and the Links Foundation provided funding of £15,000 to pay for the costs to allow Whitehawk to employ someone to fill space of this
much needed role.
Vendor Support Fund
The Links Foundation has also provided funding to The Vendor Support Fund based
in London. The Vendor Support Fund provides financial support to BIG issue vendors,
allowing them to access training courses or obtain ID documentation. This provides
them with the ability to access bank accounts as well as crisis support.
Digging it in Hove
The YMCA in Hove provides supported housing for young people who’ve been evicted
from home or have been in care. Most don’t have any qualifications or the skills
needed to get permanent housing or work. So the YMCA came up with the Y Dig It programme
– an allotment project which aims to develop skills in money management, time management,
food and nutrition, and exercise.
The young people work on the allotment and get a qualification at the end of it.
The Links Foundation donated £37,000 towards this project as a way of helping homeless
youngsters.
Playing A Part
Research shows that to regenerate run-down areas, you need to engage with the young
people
living there. So this year, £48,000 of the Links Foundation funds went towards
the Playing A Part programme in East London.
The programme, organised by Groundwork East London, encourages youngsters in Hackney
and Tower Hamlets to really get involved in their local area and take part in activities.
As well as improving their environment, the aim is to reduce vandalism and anti-social
behaviour.
Making a splash in Lincoln
Swimming can be really beneficial for disabled people. But up until recently there were no specialist swimming facilities in Lincoln for people with health issues.
To help address that £4,400 was donated from the Links Foundation to help pay for
a qualified aqua fit instructor and extra lifeguard cover.
A recipe for success
Disadvantaged youngsters in Brighton and Hove are now benefiting from their own
‘Jamie’s Kitchen’ style project – thanks to a new kitchen training facility part
funded
by the Links Foundation. A donation of £30,000 was awarded to the project to help
get things off the ground.
They are now learning how to be chefs and working towards NVQs in food preparation
and handling. The scheme aims to combat youth unemployment as well as to fill vacancies
in the thriving hospitality industry.
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