We've partnered with Friends of St Mary's Primary School to transform their forest area. Through our work, we have created a wildlife pond area with a decking surround, enabling hands-on learning about nature and conservation for the pupils. With the Foundation's support, the project successfully removed old fencing, installed new gates and fencing, and constructed a rope fence perimeter. Additionally, funding allowed for the purchase of essential materials such as pre-formed ponds, cement, and ballast. Our contribution also extended to providing tools for volunteer days and essential habitat features like hedgehog houses and bird feeders, ensuring the school's outdoor learning space was transformed into a place where students can connect with nature and learn valuable conservation skills. Through this project, we have shown our commitment to supporting initiatives that enhance the well-being and educational experiences of young learners.
This project was led by a group of dedicated volunteers. The team built planters and bird tables from locally sourced materials. Our funding also helped with site clearance and preparation for planting, which will promote self-sufficiency in the future. Additionally, we reused wood waste, maximising resources and sustainability for the project. Impacting over 300 individuals, we are proud to have played a role in this change for the New Wortley community
Our support has been significant to the success of the English classes for asylum seekers at the Staindrop Lodge Hotel in Chapeltown. With our funding, the programme was extended over several terms, providing critical English language support to people transitioning to life in a new country. The workshops focused on addressing topics relevant to everyday living in the UK and offering various session forms, such as "Family ESOL" sessions at the hotel and offsite venues. The Foundation's backing enabled the program's continuation, allowing asylum seekers to gain confidence, adapt to their new surroundings, and learn critical language skills. Some quotes we have received include: "The English classes have been incredibly helpful in boosting my confidence to communicate in daily situations" and "The flexibility of the sessions made it easier for me to attend regularly and make progress in my language skills
We have supported Sewing2gether All Nations' workshops which were held in January and February 2024. We brought an introduction to the Machine Sewing programme and gave participants the tools and materials they needed. The execution of the workshops was made possible through our funding, which paid for the Lead & Assistant Tutors, sewing machines, materials, travel expenses, and administrative fees. Sewing activities helped participants, including those from vulnerable groups and asylum seekers, by building creativity and skill development. Additionally, by using textiles and fabrics that were donated, the classes supported upcycling initiatives, addressed environmental issues, and gave people the confidence to fix and modify items, which decreased waste.
The Mears Foundation is pleased to support programmes based around sustainability and community involvement, such as The Vinery's Vermicomposting Project. Volunteers were able to build a Wormery, learn woodworking skills, and share information about liquid and soil fertiliser production. Clare Bancroft, Project Lead at The Vinery, expressed excitement, stating, "Watching the project unfold has been a privilege. The volunteers have all gained valued skills and knowledge which they will put to good use in future ventures. We’re all very excited to see the end results." This project is an example of our dedication to supporting meaningful community efforts, with four volunteers and one team member contributing their time.
Hersden Parish Council wanted to make the village more vibrant and welcoming for new residents and older residents. They wanted to repair a much-loved bench and plant seasonal flowers next to it. They also wanted to plant a tree and install a bench in the play park to provide shade for children and parents. The Mears Foundation helped the council to complete these goals. They provided funding for the repairs to the bench and the planting of flowers. They also donated a tree and a bench for the play park. As a result of the Mears Foundation's support, the village is now a more welcoming place for everyone. The repaired bench is a popular spot for people to sit and relax, and the tree and bench in the play park provide much-needed shade.
The Mears Foundation helped to upgrade the lighting in a community center in the heart of an estate. The new lighting is more environmentally friendly and has reduced running costs. The community center provides a variety of services to the community, including children's clubs, keep fit classes, employability sessions, and community events. The new lighting has made the center more inviting and has helped to attract more people to use its facilities.
The Mears Foundation helped This is Growth, a charity that provides temporary shelter for the homeless, to refurbish 8 properties in a block within Tower Hamlets. The properties were in a very poor state and required small updates such as painting, tiling, flooring, and a new toilet. The Mears Foundation provided the labor, while growTH acquired the materials. The Mears Foundation's support has helped growTH to provide temporary accommodation for homeless people and to help them transition into permanent housing. The refurbished properties have provided a safe and comfortable place for people to stay while they are getting back on their feet.
The Neighborhood team addressed a ongoing anti-social behavior in the local area. The youths were kicking a football against the side wall of the flats, which was a noise nuisance and intimidated the vulnerable residents who lived nearby. The Mears Foundation has helped support the Neighborhood team in their engagement with the youths, which has helped to build relationships and resolve other issues in the locality.
The Family Haven in Gloucestershire helps vulnerable families with children under five, including single parents, migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. They frequently lack secure housing and struggle with difficulties such as domestic violence, mental illness, and substance misuse. The centre provides emotional and practical support to help people improve their self-esteem and gain control of their life. Easter Egg collections, fundraisers, grant applications, volunteering, and garden renovations are all examples of support initiatives. These initiatives bring joy, needed resources, and renewed hope to families seeking stability and independence, making The Family Haven an important lifeline for positive change in the community.
The project ran a community cafe with access to various supports, events, and community fridge services to minimize local food waste and support local people to maximize food budgets. The team of volunteers were extremely committed, and the community was supportive of the projects launched. The project also provided toys ,clothes, books and games.
The English language programme was extremely beneficial, enhancing participants' language abilities and awareness of UK services and culture. This increased their confidence and participation into the local community, eliminating loneliness and developing friendships. In addition, the programme encouraged personal growth and provided targeted support for additional educational options. Overall, it helped individuals improve their lives and integrate into British society.
Kaleido Arts for Wellbeing is a charity that provides arts for wellbeing programmes for asylum seekers and other people in the community. These programmes have been shown to improve the lives of participants in a number of ways such as: Improving emotional and mental wellbeing, Building community cohesion and integration and providing career and skills development opportunities.
With our commitment to community improvement, we've transformed the once neglected plant areas by removing dead plants and introducing a vibrant array of fresh greenery. Through our support, we have contributed to creating a more welcoming and aesthetically pleasing space for the community. We believe in the power of such initiatives to make a positive impact, and we're thrilled to see the positive transformation that has taken place.
Portree is a ever growing community and most areas of housing being built are flats so most people do not have gardens. The Portree allotments give isolated people in it's community the opportunity to get outdoors, make new friends and learn new skills. It's not just the adults who get something from this initiative the youngsters do too! The local primary school is also going to take on a few allotments, educating the children in food, sustainability and how to avoid food waste. Mears are based in the high school and are providing the allotments with compost they as they have an onsite composter. To encourage the community to come together the Foundation supported with a grant to get benches and seating where everyone can take time out, have a picnic and enjoy the fruits of their labour.
Many children find it hard to make connections, but some find it even harder due to challenges such as social anxiety, autism, mental health struggles, etc. There are also the children who live in poverty who are marginalised and left out of the gaming world. With a grant from the Mears Foundation the YHA were able to run it's first SMASH IT Esports tournament. This was new venture for the Wishaw YMCA and they ran it partnership with the Brave JNR, an Esports group with a proven track record and values that are in keeping with our own. Wishaw YMCA has become very active within the community in the past year running several community service projects and programs.
Mears Foundation are supporting Friendship House, a non-denominational group operating in a local church hall that has been supporting local asylum in Drumchapel, based on the northern edge of the city of Glasgow for the last 5 years. The church hall is a safe space for families of all cultures to come together and to help share life stories with those who visit regularly families/individuals take it in turns to cook for a meal, sharing cultural recipes and bringing the community together through food. With the grant awarded to them by the Foundation, Friendship house are able to help with the costs of the ingredients used to make these Friendship meals. 40+ people use this facility weekly and more in the holidays.
There are currently over 500 asylum seekers living in several hotels throughout Scotland and many of them have arrived with only the clothes that they are wearing. It's a challenge for many of our service users to be able to buy necessary clothing such as socks and underwear and they rely on the goodwill of charities and the third sector to source clothing. Maslows Charity bridges the gap! The Foundation grant awarded helps Maslows to access manufacturers who supply underwear at a wholesale price and pass on to asylum seekers in our care.
The Grow and Gain Project is a community growing project - to connect people in the asylum system with land for food growing, as well as cookery workshops, training in food growing skills and education on climate change. Grow and Gain helped people in their aspirations to grow and cook food, preserve food, forage, access land and prevent food waste. They also produced a cook book with recipes from all cultures.
Through a partnership with the Mears Foundation and Currys, AASC Scotland was provided with 23 Amazon Fire tablets which welfare team were able to distribute to service users who had recently received a positive decision regarding their settlement status in the country, supporting the next chapter of their lives. The new tablets mean the children can play games, read books, take pictures, connect with friends and complete school work online. Jamie Lee Ward, Mears Partnership Manager said: "This is another amazing offering from the Foundation and one that will be beneficial to all receiving the devices. There has been a rise in digital inclusion schemes in recent years, however this is still a significant barrier within many groups, and so these tablets go a long way to support."
Up the Garden Bath, is a not-for-profit organisation which takes old and discarded materials such as bathtubs and upcycles them into ready-made garden planters and accessories. On the 24th of March, in partnership with Up The Garden Bath, the Mears Foundation grant supported the bath recycling project that provided the opportunity for tenants from Sheltered Housing Fellowship to learn new skills and use the planters to grow herbs and vegetables, to be used in their kitchens.
The Peel Project is a community project based in Hull, which was set up to provide essential support services to empower the diverse local community. The Mears Foundation recently provided a grant to commission the Peel Project to work with Mears' asylum team to introduce fitness/boxercise classes.
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One of the aims of the Foundation this year is to ‘combat social isolation and loneliness’ and this is exactly why Karen Johnson, Commercial Manager at Mears, applied for a Mears Foundation Grant, to help residents at Cole Green House by constructing a new patio area on their grounds so residents could socialise externally by having an outside space where they can meet with family and friends and become part of their community again.