Cala’s Community Bursary aims to provide support for a wide range of organisations and projects within the communities in which Cala builds. This year, a total of 95 local projects and initiatives have been selected to receive a share of the fund, helping them to continue the vital work they do.
Whilst our 2020 bursary scheme was paused last year as a result of the March lockdown, we were able to re-launch it this year, giving close consideration to community groups and charities whose situation and needs may have been severely impacted by the pandemic.
This year, our Community Bursary will award more than £100,000 to help support local charities and community groups across the UK. This brings our total funding awarded to over £400,000 and has allowed us to support over 400 projects since 2017.
Power to Inspire received £1,250 from our North Home Counties region as part of our 2017 Community Bursary. The donation was used to help fund sports festivals where both disabled and able-bodied participants compete in accessible sports.
Kevin Whitaker, CEO of Cala, said: “The last 12 months have been particularly hard for the charity and volunteering sectors, with many seeing reduced funding at a time when local communities need their services most.
“Cala has always been committed to making a positive and lasting contribution to local communities through an active programme of charity donations, community support and sponsorship, and the Community Bursary scheme gives us the chance to find out exactly what support is needed locally.
“The response to the bursary has been overwhelming, and we’ve been delighted to hear from so many local charities, schools, community projects and good causes across the UK about the fantastic work that is being done. This is the fourth year we have run the Cala Community Bursary and we’re looking forward to working with each of our selected charities over the coming months and seeing how each of them use the funds to make a real difference in the work they do.
“We would like to thank everyone who took the time to apply to the Cala Community Bursary and congratulate each of them on the valuable work they are doing within the local community.”
Windmills Opportunity Playgroup received £2,000 from our South Home Counties region as part of our 2019 Community Bursary, which paid for outdoor play equipment.
Keep an eye on our website and social media channels to stay up to date on the community projects that our Bursary is helping to fund.
A team of Cala volunteers and one of our contractors attended Park Mead Primary in 2019 to carry out vital repair works in the school’s nature area.
Read more about some of the charities that benefited from Cala’s Community Bursary in 2019.
Assisted Reading for Children (ARCh) received £1,590 from Cala. ARCh is a charity which aids disadvantaged children throughout Oxfordshire with the aim of developing their literacy skills. The funds were used towards their recruitment and training programme to support volunteers, ensuring that they are fully equipped to help children who find reading a struggle.
Surrey SAR is an organisation that Supporting the emergency services with finding vulnerable missing people, particularly the elderly, vulnerable adults, and missing children, the £1,756 funding has enabled the organisation to purchase five new radios with GPS, which will positively contribute towards the team’s safety and response time.
An advocacy service which works with individuals with additional support needs received £1,000. As well as providing advice and support to adults across East Dunbartonshire, the charity operates De Café groups for those living with dementia or memory loss, in a bid to provide social support and a place for people and their carers, partners and family to socialise.
