Asda’s independent charity, Asda Foundation has announced its investment in over 60 local projects with an aim to bring communities together as families struggle with the cost-of-living crisis.
This comes as research by Asda shows that one in four feel the crisis has impacted connections to their local community and is limiting their social lives.
In a bid to tackle isolation, ‘Spaces and Places’ grants between £5,000 and £25,000 have been awarded to groups and charities to transform and repair community hubs and locations.
Community arts organisation, Headspace Bolton CIC has been awarded £23,200 to renovate their building. A safe space for people with experience of mental illness, Asda’s research also found that access to mental health support is vital to reduce loneliness.
The grant money will help to transform the centre used for creative workshops through adding new access ramps, an upgraded bathroom and kitchen facilities, installing lighting, flooring, ceiling and increased security.
“This grant will enable us to renovate and transform our space to create a warmer, safer environment and give us the opportunity to make it our ‘home’,” Headspace Bolton CIC co-founder Ginny Allende said.
READ MORE: Cost-of-living crisis: Asda boss calls for VAT reduction to ‘kill’ inflation
Asda Foundation has also been supporting the development of transforming outdoor community spaces.
The Gateway Collective, an organisation that hosts a community run garden received a £14,750 investment to build a new kitchen and an outdoor classroom and Burnhill Action Group is creating a community shelter in their gardens where young people can take part in educational workshops about sustainable growing with its £7,000 grant.
For groups in need of a safe meeting space, community rooms have been installed in eight Asda stores across the UK. The Big 4 grocer also plans to build three more rooms by the end of this year.
“Small grass roots organisations play a vital role in making positive change and improving people’s lives every day. They understand the needs in their community and are constantly adapting to meet those needs,” Asda Foundation senior manager Alexandra Preston said.
“The challenge for many of these groups is having the affordable space to bring people together to deliver this fantastic work – that’s why we’re investing £750,000 in breathing new life into community spaces across the UK.”
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