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With support from The Mears Foundation, the Ground Force project expanded its grow-your-own gardening initiative across ten different locations. The funding enabled the purchase of tools, compost, seed packs, and small greenhouses, helping families and children engage in sustainable food growing activities. By creating hands-on opportunities to grow fruit and vegetables, the project encouraged healthy eating, improved wellbeing, and offered meaningful ways to connect with nature and each other. Children gained new skills, confidence, and a sense of responsibility, while adults found a therapeutic and purposeful outlet during a transitional period in their lives. The grant also laid the groundwork for long-term community collaboration through links with local gardening clubs, helping the initiative take root and thrive well into the future.
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With support from The Mears Foundation, residents at Ochil House were able to install a new greenhouse, creating a shared space that encourages wellbeing, social connection, and outdoor activity. The grant funded the purchase of the greenhouse, while Mears staff and subcontractors contributed 54 hours of volunteer time to prepare the area, clearing weeds, power washing surfaces, and assembling the structure. Materials were also kindly donated by Huws Gray and Greenerleaf. This collaborative effort has transformed an underused space into a focal point for residents, offering a sense of ownership and the joy of growing their own plants. The project has strengthened community spirit within the complex and will continue to bring lasting benefits for years to come.
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With support from The Mears Foundation, Christ The King Primary & Nursery transformed its outdated playground into a multi-functional space for over 300 children. The grant, combined with community fundraising and volunteer support, enabled the demolition of hazardous structures, installation of new playground markings, and the creation of an accessible outdoor learning and play zone. Pupils were involved in the design process, making the project truly inclusive and tailored to their needs. Mears volunteers played a crucial role by enabling contractor access, showcasing a hands-on commitment to the local community. The revitalised space has already become a place for outdoor learning, creativity, and physical activity.
With funding from The Mears Foundation, Harewood Infant School successfully transformed a disused, overgrown plot into a vibrant sensory garden, creating a calming and stimulating outdoor space for pupils aged 4 to 7. The project revitalised the area with new raised beds, ornamental grasses, garden shrubs, and tactile elements like pebbles and weed membrane, all designed to engage the senses and support a wide range of learning and wellbeing needs. A new shed was also installed to safely store sensory resources. This garden now offers a peaceful retreat where children can explore, self-regulate, and connect with nature. The space is particularly valuable for pupils with additional needs and is also accessible to local playgroups and clubs who share the site, making it a true asset to the wider school community.
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With funding from The Mears Foundation, the Care Leavers Hub transformed its outdoor space into a calm, supportive environment tailored to young adults transitioning from care. The project introduced a permanent seating area for community connection and private support sessions, alongside new tarmac pathways that improved safety and accessibility throughout the site. A key feature was the creation of a greenhouse and vegetable-growing initiative, offering hands-on gardening experience that promoted mental wellbeing, life skills, and healthy eating. The Foundation’s support enabled the Hub to create not just a practical outdoor area, but a space where service users could build confidence, connect with others, and find meaningful moments of reflection, laying important foundations for greater independence and resilience in their everyday lives.
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One of our new Grant Initiatives, Inclusion Through Sport, is focused on supporting grassroots sports clubs in underfunded communities. By providing resources to engage young people in sports, the initiative aims to reduce youth crime and anti-social behaviour by channelling their energy into positive, meaningful activities. Last week, students from The Oaks Specialist College in Tonbridge joined our volunteers at Tonbridge Football Club to celebrate the impact of the club’s grant. The funding has provided the college with new sports equipment, including football goals and indoor games, creating better opportunities for physical activity within the club.
Mears Group PLC volunteers from MPS made the most of the sunshine at Gunton Place in Norwich, thanks to funding from one of our Community Green Space Grants. The team planted four species of hedgerows and several wildflower beds, creating wildlife habitats, boosting health and wellbeing, and making our green spaces a little nicer.
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Supported by a grant from The Mears Foundation, staff and volunteers from Mears Group have been working with National Trust rangers to create homes for nature by planting trees on the Longshaw Estate near Sheffield.
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Eight employees from our Rotherham branch spent two days giving a garden at a Rotherham primary school an upgrade. As part of their commitment to social value in the community, supported by a grant from The Mears Foundation, the green space project saw volunteers makeover an outside area at Ferham Primary School in Kimberworth, turning it into a community garden.
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We’re excited to announce our latest collaboration with City Electrical Factors, a Friend of the Foundation, to help transform an unused side of the building in Milton Keynes into a Wellbeing Centre to serve 12,500 residents of Woughton Parish! This joint project will revitalise the space, supporting essential services such as a Community Cafe, Youth Programs, and agencies offering much-needed local support. Together, we’re addressing key challenges and creating a welcoming environment for everyone to access in the surrounding area. Throughout the course of the project, we’ll be overhauling the roof and gutters, as well as clearing both the front and rear gardens. A new boiler will be installed, and the existing electrics will receive essential upgrades. We’re also widening doorways to improve wheelchair access and fitting new internal doors. Additional improvements include upgrading the washroom facilities, with an accessible toilet already in place, and creating two new meeting rooms to accommodate a variety of community services. The space will be fully redecorated, and we’re planning to install solar panels to make the building more sustainable. We’re also considering the installation of an electric boiler to further improve energy efficiency. With the help of CEF, these extensive upgrades will ensure the space serves the community for years to come. Stay tuned for updates as we work towards the grand opening in December 2024!
The Mears Foundation has supported the Holsworthy House Green Space project with a Community Space Grant, transforming the communal garden. Thanks to the efforts of Mears volunteers, new bedding plants, shrubs, and hanging baskets were added to bring color and life to the space. The team also weeded the overgrown borders, ensuring a neat environment for all the residents to enjoy. This project, part of the ongoing commitment to revitalise green spaces, demonstrates the power of teamwork and dedication to make a positive local impact for the community.
The Mears Foundation proudly supported Eastbourne volunteers and Homes First in revitalising communal spaces at Hanson Road and Etchingham Road by providing a Community Green Space Grant. At Hanson Road, our team tackled a fly-tipping hotspot, organised a ‘rubbish amnesty,’ and restored bin stores. Residents were able to dispose of unwanted waste thanks to the support of the Tenants of Lewes District (TOLD) group. Over at Etchingham Road, volunteers cleared overgrown weeds, replaced an old metal pergola with a new wooden one, and added recycling signage.
The Mears Foundation helped the residents of Artesian Close improve their communal space by funding the construction of raised flower beds. This support gave residents the opportunity to engage in gardening and work together to enhance their shared outdoor area. The project has made the space more welcoming and provided a place for residents to connect and take pride in their surroundings. Thanks to this initiative, the community now has a maintained garden that everyone can enjoy.
The Mears Foundation has supported Jubilee Farm’s mission to strengthen community engagement and outreach. Our funding helped secure a new polytunnel, expanding the farm’s capacity for growing produce and hosting workshops and well-being activities. As Northern Ireland's first community-owned enterprise, Jubilee Farm uses innovative agricultural practices to promote therapy, rehabilitation, and social inclusion, with a focus on supporting marginalised groups. This project not only enhances the farm’s sustainability but also creates valuable opportunities for personal growth, skill development, and connection with nature. The Mears Foundation’s support enables Jubilee Farm to continue its impactful work, building a stronger, more inclusive community.
The Mears Foundation has provided funding to the North Ayrshire Fairer Food Network (NAFF), a charity working to improve Scotland's most deprived communities. The foundation has expanded NAFF's programs, including health services, nutrition workshops, and inclusive activities. In May 2024, seven Mears colleagues volunteered at the Milton Community Garden and Food Hub, completing a challenging renovation project. The partnership promotes cultural exchange, addresses the cost of living crisis, and empowers residents through skill-building and employment readiness.
The Mears Foundation has provided funding to Welcome House's Befriending Project, enabling activities and transport for our service users. The project improved social connections and mental well-being, leading to a transition from isolation to active community involvement. The project also facilitated changes, such as location adjustments, for improved attendance and engagement with community partners. Since the funding, approximately 4,000 people have attended the Free Café, highlighting the Mears Foundation's crucial role in enhancing vulnerable individuals' lives and strengthening community ties.
The Mears Foundation and Medway Council collaborated on the Rainbow Rooms project, a community space for children and families. The project involved purchasing paint and furniture, transforming the environment into a welcoming space. A dedicated team volunteered 24 hours to bring the vision to life. The success was celebrated at a Christmas reopening event, attended by 21 children. The revamped space has hosted Tenants Panel meetings and a Children's Storytime event, generating a social value of £1,244.92.
The Mears Foundation supports Age UK Rotherham and SafeHaven, two vital charities in the Rotherham community. Age UK Rotherham hosts their annual Christmas Lunch, a tradition for 80-100 older adults. Mears Group's branch colleagues and apprentices prepare and serve the meal, providing valuable customer service experience. SafeHaven receives homemade soup and essential items like scarves, gloves, and hats to help their service users combat the cold.
The Mears Foundation has supported Poltimore House, a community hub promoting culture, arts, and mental well-being. We facilitated the creation of a Wi-Fi-equipped hub area, empowering local third-sector groups and extending the Tech Buddy workshop scheme's reach to rural areas. With 35,000 visitors annually and a village population of 300, the partnership aims to enhance digital skills for many.
The Mears Foundation has supported the Central and West Integration Network (CWIN)'s Multicultural Food Hub in Glasgow, providing funding to purchase culturally relevant foods and reducing food waste. The foundation also assisted CWIN in collecting cardboard egg boxes for safe distribution of over 360 fresh eggs weekly, with the AASC Scotland team regularly collecting and delivering boxes.
The Mears Foundation funded a cultural event in Govan, Ibrox, Elder-Park, and Linthouse, attracting over 300 attendees. The event featured cultural performances, culinary experiences, and transportation for residents from Paisley. The event aligns with UNESCO's mission to promote intercultural dialogue and deepened community bonds. The Mears Foundation plans to continue working with Safety Awareness Glasgow to promote safety awareness courses and Cooking Clubs.
Volunteers from the Mears Contract 62 team transformed the communal gardens at Cockabourne Court and Bards Court in Romford. Part of the Foundation's Community Green Spaces initiative, the team planted vibrant flowers and shrubs, enhancing the gardens and creating a welcoming atmosphere. The makeover has already inspired residents to take pride in their renewed spaces, with a new gardening club designed to maintain the revamped green space.
We have transformed the playground at Bishop Parker Catholic Primary School and Nursery in Bletchley. Over four days, a dedicated group of volunteers worked tirelessly to revamp the play area, bringing new life and vibrancy to the school’s outdoor spaces. The makeover included painting existing fencing, sheds, pergolas, and playhouses, as well as planting raised beds. The project also featured the installation of new fencing to a raised area adjacent to the playground. Surplus materials, including paint, were donated to the school upon completion of the project.
Support from the Mears Foundation has been helped Harper Memorial Church's monthly community meals going. These meals have grown to be an important hub for locals. The weekly participation of 40 to 50 people means that the lunches offer both nutrition and a sense of community. Food was provided thanks to financing from the Foundation. This project has also promoted extracurricular activities like weekly football sessions, which improve social integration and general well-being for both newcomers and long-term residents.
The Mears Foundation's grant has been essential in helping the ISARO Community Initiative's "Waste to Treasure" project. This creative initiative attempts to address poverty while advancing sustainability. The grant helps to sustain the Upstyle Shop, a reuse store in Glasgow that makes money to support the charity endeavours of ISARO. The project encourages reuse and repair while also offering accessible solutions for individuals facing financial difficulties by gathering and restoring old things. It also provides advice on how to save energy at home, which helps community members live more sustainably and cut costs.
The allocations project of the Central and West Integration Network SCIO has been greatly supported by funding from the Mears Foundation. We have been able to provide efficient project management and give volunteers and participants the necessary assistance and training by sponsoring a part-time Allotment Coordinator. To ensure greater accessibility and involvement, our donation also included travel fees. Sessions held at Essenside Church Hall, have provided invaluable insights into sustainable growing practices in Scotland's challenging climate. Participants, many with farming experience, have benefited from discussions on organic pest control, companion planting, and crop planning. This initiative is building a community of passionate growers. This project shows our commitment to the community by coming together through hands on, impactful initiatives.
Our contribution to the InterAct Church and Community Partnership has aided in a number of incredible initiatives meant to improve Meanwood's community well-being. Through the Meanwood Pantry, Men's Shed, Youth Project, and Community Cafes, among others, InterAct provides essential services, including food provision, advice, and support, benefiting numerous individuals in need. Our grant has paid for community trips, gift donations and the establishment of the Youth Project modular building, promoting social unity in the area. We continue to have a significant influence by working with InterAct to promote community-based initiatives that combat poverty and social isolation, thereby enhancing the lives of many.
The Foundation has contributed to the renovation of Alder Tree Primary's facilities, particularly in revamping the outdated toilet blocks. The school was able to resolve problems and establish a safer, more hygienic environment for pupils thanks to our aid. Additionally, we installed fire-rated doors and removed unused urinals that were rusting. We allowed the school to access materials at a trade cost and provided 30 hours of volunteering assistance renovating the school. This effort has improved the schools infrastructure and also positively impacted the well-being of over 300 individuals in the community.
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.