Highcross Leicester is to launch the ‘Giving Back Project’, a new scheme which will see it donate £2,000 to ten local charities that have been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. The scheme has been developed in partnership with Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation, who will help the centre allocate the ten grants.
The Giving Back Project is specifically designed to support those local charities and organisations that have been hardest hit by the pandemic, and the lockdowns of the past few months.
It will target groups in and around Leicester City, that engage in any of the following:
- Food bank support and tackling food poverty
- Providing support services to people affected by domestic violence and abuse
- Supporting those who are homeless or rough sleeping
- Providing employment opportunities, enterprise or skills development
The money will form part of the Community Foundation’s Coronavirus Support Fund.
Jo Tallack, General Manager at Highcross Leicester, said: “The past few months have been an extremely challenging time for so many people, and it is more important than ever that we support those in need. The Giving Back Project is all about giving a helping hand to those charities and organisations that do valuable work for local people, but are facing challenges as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. By partnering with Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation we can make sure we reach the groups that most need our support.”
Katy Green, CEO at the Community Foundation, said: “We are delighted at the generosity of Highcross Leicester. Some communities in Leicester have been very hard hit by Covid 19 and we have had many requests for support from voluntary groups working hard throughout the lockdown to provide food, shelter, remote support for acute mental health needs and other challenges caused or made worse by the pandemic. The Highcross Leicester Fund means more people can be helped, and we are so grateful for this welcome boost.”
A recent project that benefited from additional funding is Young Leicestershire, a local youth organisation. At the beginning of lockdown, the Community Foundation gave them an emergency grant of £4,800 from the National Emergencies Trust, to put together “Bags of Fun” to be delivered safely to homes to help young people struggling with loneliness and mental health issues during isolation.
Young Leicestershire is the biggest provider of open-access clubs for young people in the city and county. The grant purchased the materials required to put the bags of activities together for young people do at home, to pay for volunteer expenses, and to cover basic costs for the team who are working tirelessly to provide support for the some of the most disadvantaged young people in Leicestershire.
