As you may have already seen, our Freebridge Community Fund is currently open for applications!

Once again, we’re proud to be able to reveal £40,000 will be available for local projects and good causes in west Norfolk.

If you’re not familiar with it, our Community Fund is there to empower certain groups, organisations and voluntary activities within the community.

The remit for this fund is to support groups and organisations who promote health and wellbeing, tackle disadvantage, support local solutions, promote community cohesion, develop sustainable and supportive communities, and improve the environment.

The fund offers grants of up to £5,000 per group, with projects that impact our tenants and communities prioritised.

So, what was the impact of last years Community Fund?

The Freebridge Community Housing Fund 2024 Report details the allocation and impact of £40,000 awarded to support charitable and community projects in Norfolk. .

In 2024, the fund supported 10 projects, each receiving between £3,000 and £5,000 to expand services or maintain community programs. This report highlights how these grants have enabled organisations to increase support hours, run community activities, and assist vulnerable populations.

Supported Projects and Outcomes

Hanseatic Union

Awarded £5,000 to increase support worker hours, this project provided information, advice, and guidance to 75 Freebridge clients through 164 appointments. Issues addressed included housing repairs, tenancy matters, council tax, utility bills, and neighbour disputes. The service was particularly accessible to households where English is an additional language, including support for an Afghan refugee family aided by an Afghan volunteer.

Pandora Project

This grant of £5,000 extended an adult support worker’s hours to provide advocacy and empowerment for women affected by domestic abuse. Clients reported increased confidence, empowerment, and improved mental wellbeing. A client shared feeling more confident and understanding that past experiences were not their fault, with a commitment to safety for themselves and their children.

The Gateway Church

The church received £5,000 to continue running iCAF, an international community café that meets weekly on Tuesday mornings. iCAF serves about 20 attendees per session, primarily Ukrainian refugees and people from other countries such as Latvia, Lithuania, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Romania, and Moldova. The café provides a supportive environment to practice conversational English and build community connections. Some attendees have become Freebridge tenants and have gained confidence in engaging with native English-speaking neighbours. A highlighted success story includes Tona, who secured employment and improved her conversational skills through participation.

Asperger East Anglia

With £3,000 awarded towards salary costs, the charity runs the ‘Drop-In-4-Support’ service in King’s Lynn, offering weekly person-centred support for the local autism community. This includes adult social groups and women-only sessions to provide safe spaces for autistic individuals to discuss concerns and receive peer support.

The Wild Hub CIC

Receiving £5,000, this group continued its Discovery Wellbeing Programme, offering creative and wellness workshops for adults and families. Activities included arts and crafts, meditation, dance, nature connection, and life skills development. Client testimonials highlight the program’s positive impact on anxiety, panic attacks, and social communication skills, fostering kindness and understanding without judgment or pressure.

Great Massingham Area Community Car Scheme

Awarded £5,000 to supplement its Medical Support Fund, this scheme helps people on Universal or Pension Credit with transport costs to medical appointments, either by taxi or volunteer drivers. The fund addresses rising travel costs, especially in rural areas with limited public transport. A case study describes assistance to a young woman with type 1 diabetes who required frequent hospital and GP visits but lacked personal transport. The scheme was described by passengers as a “lifeline”.

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We've loved seeing the positive impact on local charities and communities for last years fund. If you are part of a local group or charity, take a look to see if you could be eligible for funding here.