Investor Programme 2009 – 2012: Part 1
The Nationwide Foundation supports vulnerable people in the UK and helps to tackle their housing and financial issues
2 May 2012: The Nationwide Foundation is a registered charity, set up and funded by Nationwide Building Society. It has more than 10 years’ experience awarding grants to other charities across the UK, including Northern Ireland, within criteria defined by their Board of Trustees, who run the Foundation.
Investor Programme
In 2009, The Nationwide Foundation approved 9 grants totalling almost £3 million to help tackle the issues of housing and financial exclusion. The money will benefit up to 11,000 people, whether older or who are survivors of domestic abuse. The funding marked the start of the Foundation’s new Investor Programme which will support the charities for three years.
Take a look at our first 3 charities and how The Foundation’s programme has benefited them.
Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE)
Escalating energy costs and the very low incomes of some older people mean that they struggle to pay fuel bulls or live in cold, damp homes. CSE supports older people in rural areas of Somerset who experience fuel poverty. The charity gives these older people more disposable income through increased welfare benefit uptake and alleviates fuel poverty through implementing energy efficiency measures. This provides people with the means and independence to stay in their homes for longer. Achievements of the project include:
- 370 older people have been assisted in obtaining home improvement measures, such as grab rails or window locks
- over 150 health and social care professionals have received training on fuel poverty.
The Runnymede Trust
The Runnymede Trust is a leading race relations think tank. It is researching the needs of black and minority ethnic (BME) older people in respect to their housing and financial needs and then using the findings to inform and facilitate changes in public policy. The research explores current and future trends with regards to where BME older people retire to, their pension provision and the implications of expectations from their extended families. Runnymede is currently researching whether rural racism (real or perceived) influences where people retire to in the UK.
Find out more about The Runnymede Trust
The Haven
The Haven operates five refuges for survivors of domestic abuse within the city of Wolverhampton, as well as supporting victims and survivors living in the community. The grant from the Foundation allows the Haven to offer support services which improve the women’s financial capability, help them deal with debts and alert them to appropriate banking services. The Haven helps women separate finances from the perpetrator and seek suitable, safe new housing. During the course of the project, financial support workers will give one-to-one advice to 150 women with debt management issues.
Find out more about The Haven
Next week we’ll outline three more charities which have been supported by the Foundation.
If you want to know more about the Foundation’s work you can read more here on Your Nationwide, or visit their own website