Trustees Report

Small Grants

For the year ended 30 September 2023

Staff Hardship Fund

Since its introduction in 2018, demand for the Foundation’sStaff Hardship Fund has increased year-on-year and the company has maintained its additional contribution of £50,000.

This year, the Foundation has supported 232 grant applications to a total amount of £174,352. The rising cost of living has played a significant part in the high number of applications received across the year.

Community Grants

Demand for the Foundation’s Community Grants continued steadily again this year with £80,000 profiled for this financial year. During 2022/23, the Foundation has supported 48 Community Grants to a value of £94,701. Examples of grants made this year include the the following:

My Vote My Voice – #MyVoteMatters

We supported the parliamentary reception for My Vote My Voice for #MyVoteMatters in partnership with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Adult Social Care (APPG). The event highlighted how you can play your part in making voting accessible for people with autism and learning disabilities.

Clapton Common Boys Club

We supported the ARTspiration programme, to support 28 Social Educational and Mental Health (SEMH) and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) children. 14 children per group developed their creative talents including; communication, expression, through helping children regulate their feelings and emotions. The programme encouraged positive feelings through expressive qualities of making art enjoyable, fun and engaging

Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI).

We supported RBLI’s STEP-IN Welfare Programme. STEP-IN integrates health, mental health, welfare, employability and supports people with disabilities, many of whom are Armed Forces veterans. The Foundation’s grant contributes to a programme which supports 22 people to overcome homelessness and create a completely new life from scratch.

Match-Funding Grants

Demand for the Match-Funding Grants increased considerably this financial year. The Foundation supported 54 Match Fund grants to a total of £20,641. Much of this growth was down to the rising awareness of the grants but also due to a return to fundraising following two years impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.

This year saw the launch of ‘Match it’, an extension of the Match-Funding Grants, to reward those who are volunteering for registered charities. In an effort to continually engage and promote charitable giving for CareTech staff, ‘Match it’ ensures that staff can make contributions to their favourite charities beyond just fundraising for them, they can instead volunteer and secure up to £350 for the charity.

Examples of Match-Funding grants made include:

Cancer Research UKPaige raised funds in support of Cancer Research UK. Paige and her family wanted to raise money in
memory of her late grandfather, who sadly lost his battle with cancer last year. With our funds, she was able
to double her contribution to the charity.

My Name’5 Doddie Foundation

Sam raised funds in support of My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. Sam walked 215 miles of the southern upland way, over 10 days to raise awareness and money for this charity which is very close to his heart.
Since childhood, Sam has been a big rugby fan and over the years has been saddened by the number of
famous players who have been diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease (MND).

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

The team at Branas raised funds in support of Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). Their aim
was to raise awareness for CALM so that others who find themselves in need might know where to turn. If
they could help just one person then it was all worth it. The team were not experienced walkers but with this
challenge, they took the blisters, smashed through the walls, pushed their limits and shared their memories
of James.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Caretech Foundation for their very generous donation which took our total to an amazing £2630.00! I highly recommend anyone that is eligible to apply for support with their fundraising efforts.