We are Aware

We are Aware works across North Somerset from its base in Clevedon. It was set up to raise awareness and provide support around people’s mental health.  The work supports around 80 people overall, through various groups, one-off sessions, activities and trips. These include regular ‘walk & talks’ running in four different towns, ‘thinking out loud’ peer support and discussion groups, a twice-monthly book club, fortnightly yoga sessions and social cycling trips.

In February 2024, the Foundation has offered a grant that will contribute towards a new creative session that will be offered monthly.  The project will explore journalling, creative self-expression and language generally.  Individuals will be encouraged to use writing as a therapeutic tool to express emotions, experiences etc in a supported and safe environment.  Benefits and anticipated outcomes are likely to be that attendees will build confidence with writing and develop self-expression, and that the project will form a therapeutic addition to their recovery journey.

www.weareaware.info

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The Saffires Project

The Saffires Project aims to empower women who are selling sex to access support, integrate into healthy communities, and work towards their own personal goals. It offers all-round holistic assistance including practical assistance and emotional support.  The Project works in and around the city of Leicester, and last year engaged with over 70 women.

The Allen Lane Foundation has offered funding of £8,247. This grant, made at the February 2024 meeting of Trustees, will cover the operating expenses of the organisation and also make a contribution towards salaries.  Anticipated outcomes of the work on women include: improvements to confidence, sense of self and wellbeing; improvements in relational wellbeing such as healthy relationships, support networks, social networks; and improvements in physical circumstances such as housing improvements, accessing health services, managing finances better, begin alternative work experience if desired etc.

www.saffires.org.uk

 

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More than Grandparents

More than Grandparents is a charity that, since 2017, has been operating in the North East, in areas such as Newcastle, Sunderland, Gateshead and Durham.  It works to support family members who step in to prevent children having to go into foster care or the adoption service when the parents are unable to look after them.  The charity delivers advice and support as well as various activities such as peer support, learning and engagement activities, specialist trauma support; groups and outings; and drop-in and outreach provision.  Around 250 individuals benefit on a weekly basis.

The Allen Lane Foundation has agreed funding at its February 2024 meeting of Trustees. The grant is for £8,000 given over a two-year period.  Funding is to help develop a youth project for young people in kinship care, and will include difference aspects such as life skills, cooker and baking, sporting activities and visits to places of interest. The aim is to offer opportunities for engagement and peer support in a safe place with other young people who share similar experiences.  Intended outcomes are that the young people will feel less isolated, have better support, and improved mental wellbeing.

www.morethangrandparents.com

 

 

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Coaching Inside and Out (CIAO)

Coaching Inside and Out (CIAO) provides coaching support to improve the lives of people convicted of offences, or at risk of that, so that they can help themselves and others.  Originally established in HMP Styal, the organisation has worked in numerous prisons and in the community.  The work is delivered through a mixture of one-to-one and group sessions, tailored and structured by the needs of the individuals. So far CIAO has assisted over 1,800 children and adults with very positive feedback from prison and probation staff as well as the individuals concerned.

At the February 2024 meeting, Trustees agreed a grant of £10,000 split over a two-year period. This is contributing to the costs of introducing a new Coaching Circles model at HMP Styal that will build on individual coaching. This will include the provision of training and support for women at the prison to become coaching facilitators themselves, so that they can provide peer support and directly help to empower other women.  It is anticipated that 18 women will become coaching facilitators and up to 300 women in prison will be supported.  Outcomes are that women will come up with their own solutions to better understand, restore and strengthen relationships; improve their health; engage with education and work; and become assets to their communities.

www.coachinginsideandout.org.uk

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Linking Lives

Linking Lives is a national charity that was set up to address loneliness and social isolation among older people.  It developed a befriending model which it now uses to support local groups to establish befriending schemes across the UK.  Schemes vary with different models used to engage with older people in differing circumstances.  Some benefit people that are housebound on a one-to-one basis, and others encourage social activities and group events. There are 45 existing partnerships set up now, from inner city to rural areas.

At the Foundation’s February 2024 meeting, Trustees agreed a grant of £10,000 that is to contribute towards core costs, and help expand the befriending schemes.  The charity aims to develop at least five new schemes this year in England, and establish projects too in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.  Outcomes of the work includes that older people’s mental and physical health will be improved and their feelings of anxiety and depression reduced; they will have a renewed sense of purpose and enthusiasm to enjoy later life; and that the stigma of loneliness will be removed.

www.linkinglives.uk

 

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Music4Wellbeing

Music4Wellbeing operates in different parts of Kent, and delivers a range of community-based therapeutic music groups.  The regular sessions help to facilitate social support for older people living with life challenges, such as dementia and Parkinsons, loneliness and bereavement.  Around 400 people benefit each year.  The sessions include time to socialise and are facilitated by qualified practitioners, bringing a sense of pride, confidence, enjoyment and belonging to attendees.

The Allen Lane Foundation awarded a grant of £5,000 as a contribution towards the continuation of activities at the meeting in February 2024. Intended outcomes of the work are that the organisation will: help people feel better; support people to be part of their community; and provide sustained opportunities for meaningful social interaction and improved wellbeing.

www.music4wellbeing.org.uk

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Toxteth Women’s Centre

Toxteth Women’s Centre was established to promote the wellbeing of women from ethnic minorities, particularly those whose first language is not English.  It has been running ESOL classes for the last 14 years in the Toxteth area of Liverpool, and has also broadened its services in that time.  Staff and volunteers provide both practical and emotional support for the women attending, including one-to-one crisis and specialist support where required. The Centre also operates a donations/collections scheme including clothing, baby items, books etc, and there is a community garden and regular social events and activities.  The majority of women attending are from asylum seeking and refugee communities.

In February 2024, Trustees awarded a grant to Toxteth Women’s Centre of £7,000.  Funding will contribute toward the charity’s general running costs.  Intended outcomes for the year include that: ESOL classes will improve the English language skills of around 200 learners; donated items will be provided to at least 100 families; and specialist one-to-one support will be given to around 15 women in complex circumstances.

www.toxtethwomenscentre.co.uk

 

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York Travellers Trust

York Travellers Trust was established 25 years ago and exists to provide support to the Gypsy and Traveller community in York and across a wider local area.  It aims overall to ‘enhance the vibrant and resourceful Gypsy and Traveller communities, build bridges between the communities and others to promote community cohesion, and increase opportunities and life chances for all’. A wide range of services and sessions are run, including a wellbeing project, drop-ins, education provision, and advice and advocacy services.

In February 2024, the Allen Lane Foundation has offered a grant of £7,500 to York Travellers Trust. This is to contribute towards salary costs of a worker whose role is to reach out to and engage with the Gypsy and Traveller communities, encouraging individuals to access help they need from the Trust, as well as from other services.  The aim is to reduce isolation, improve mental health, and address immediate needs, as well as working with individuals to look at their long-term goals and interests, such as accessing educational courses or employment for example.

www.ytt.org.uk

 

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Silkfutures

Silkfutures (the new name for LAB 7) is an organisation that supports young people in accessing creativity, particularly those from marginalised communities.  It works in some of the most deprived areas in and around Cardiff, and supports around 150 young people each year. Silkfutures delivers various projects and creative workshops as well as tailored support for young people.

In February 2024, the Allen Lane Foundation offered funding of £3,000 towards the organisation’s project work, helping young people to access music, drama and art opportunities.  The grant will contribute towards salary and project delivery costs.  The project enables young people to develop their musical and social skills, in a safe space and improve their life options. It also gives them voice, which can empower them within their communities and amongst their peers.

www.instagram.com/silkfutures/?igsh=N3ZpMHozZm1qYTdi

 

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Action Against Stalking

Action Against Stalking is Scotland’s only charity dedicated exclusively to the victims of stalking.  It provides free, confidential and tailored support to the needs of clients, and aims to support anyone who is affected by stalking.

At the February 2024 meeting of Trustees, the Allen Lane Foundation agreed a grant of £10,000 towards Action Against Stalking.  Funding will contribute towards salary costs of the Throughcare Team. This team of workers provide trauma-informed support, advocacy, safety planning, ongoing risk assessment, support for mental and physical health issues, and offer informed advice.  The model of support is build on empowerment and giving the victims of stalking a voice. It helps to build resilience, strength and knowledge to tackle the often-multiple challenges and barriers that victims face to the end the abuse. Overall the charity engaged over 400 in support.  Outcomes from the work are expected to be: increased capacity to support more stalking victims and ensure a timely response; and increased awareness and understanding of the harms and impact of stalking.

www.actionagainststalking.org

 

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