Onward enables people to be their best through community fund
In its latest funding grants, leading North West housing association Onward has gone beyond housing to support 23 projects across the region with an investment of over £44.9k.
Every year, the Onward Community Fund supports dozens of organisations across the North West that share the social housing provider’s commitment to enable people to be their best and make a positive impact locally.
In Greater Manchester, over £22k was granted to 11 projects, including UK Yoga CIC’s family focused wellness and nature initiative.
UK Yoga CIC is a community focused organisation dedicated to enhancing mental and physical wellbeing through yoga, mindfulness and nature-based practices.
Through a grant from the Fund, the not-for-profit’s initiative will support families living in Rochdale with accessible workshops and personalised wellness routines designed to equip them with the skills to support each other’s mental wellbeing and strengthen bonds within the community in local parks and outdoor spaces.
Gaynor Gallagher, Director at UK Yoga CIC, said:
“The funding will make a transformative difference for the families we support in Rochdale, enabling us to enhance mental wellbeing, strengthen family bonds, promote green space engagement and build community cohesion.”
“This project is a vital step in fostering a vibrant and resilient community, and Onward’s support makes it possible for us to empower residents in creating a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.”
In Lancashire, over £9.9k was granted to five projects, including Maundy Relief’s food growing project in Hyndburn.
Maudy Relief, a charity based in Accrington, supports those experiencing social exclusion, financial hardship and ill health make sustainable positive changes, from one-off food parcels to housing, counselling, health and advice services.
The charity will be expanding its food growing project, using a grant from the Fund to increase food production across its allotments and deliver more produce to nine food banks and pantries across the borough.
Beccy Murrel, Operations Manager at Maundy Relief, said:
“We are delighted to have been awarded this funding which will reduce food insecurity in Hyndburn by increasing the production and accessibility of fruit and vegetables and distributing this produce to those in need, directly to local residents and also through community meals and emergency food parcels.”
“In our current community survey about food, access to fresh, healthy and affordable food is the highest-ranking priority of respondents, and this is exactly what our project will deliver.”
Seven projects were granted over £12.9k funding in Merseyside, including Team Oasis Children’s Charity’s employment project.
Team Oasis Children’s Charity support young people across South Liverpool with skills development, personal growth, team building and education.
Through a grant from the Fund, the charity’s Pathways to Employment project will help local people living in Dingle to pursue sustainable employment with targeted workshops, practical work placements and career mentorship.
James Nilson, Fundraiser and Manager at Team Oasis Children’s Charity, said:
“We are thrilled to receive this award of £2,500 towards our Pathways to Employment project, which will make a significant difference to the individuals and families we support.”
“This funding will enable us to provide vital skills workshops, mentorship opportunities, and hands-on support to help local residents overcome barriers to employment. The impact of this project will be profound, offering hope, empowerment, and practical tools to those facing challenges in these difficult times”
Andrew Brown, Director of Housing and Specialist Living at Onward, said:
“We act as a catalyst for change across the communities we serve and by working closely with these organisations we can go beyond housing and support local initiatives that share our vision of enabling people to be their best.”
“The Onward Community Fund is just one of the ways we make a difference, and we will continue to work together with local partners and our supply chain to do more for our customers.”
In Greater Manchester, the ten other groups that received funding were Lancs T20 Superleague CIC’s free youth cricket coaching, Create BOLTON’s art programmes, Humans Mcr’s food delivery initiative and Army of Kindness’ hot meals, a big community garden project in Hattersley, St James Food Pantry’s food distribution project, Karmic Collective CIC’s community wellbeing day, Mancunian Way’s youth outreach programme, Headspace Bolton CIC’s choir, and Jewish Community Foundation Trust’s food resilience initative.
The Onward Community Fund also supported Bolton’s Black History Month celebration in October, which featured djembe drumming, a Bob Marley tribute act and a talk by Olympian Cindy Ngamba.
The four other groups that received funding in Lancashire were Foxton Centre’s archery club, Beanstalk Business Centre CIC’s healthy cooking courses, Vale House’s mental health activities and Ribblesdale Wanderers Sports Club CIC’s cricket training programme.
Over in Merseyside, the six other projects that received funding were Amber Button CIC’s digital skills initiative, Byrne Avenue Trust’s affordable holiday clubs, Sport’s Alive’s healthy eating initiative, the Be Free Campaign, Little Centre Beechwood’s wellbeing sessions, and Park Options’ classes for young people.
The next round of the Onward Community Fund is open to projects that address food, digital, green and work challenges that local people face and closes on 1st February 2025. For further details, including the full eligibility criteria and how to apply please visit onward.co.uk/community-fund or email socialinvestment@onward.co.uk.