Scouts, Guides and Brownies in Staffordshire and Shropshire have received a welcome boost from our grant scheme.
We have already helped dozens of voluntary organisations through our My Community Fund, providing a financial lifeline to vital projects across the areas we serve.
Now the 1st Brewood Guides and 2nd Brewood Brownies have received grants to help with day-to-day expenses such as books, badges and craft materials, while the Copthorne Guide and Scout Hut in Shrewsbury has enjoyed a major refurbishment with our support.
Samantha Allcott, Director of Housing for Housing Plus Group, commented: “For generations, the Scout and Guide movement has been a huge force for good in local communities across our region and beyond.
“At Housing Plus Group, we recognise the opportunities it provides for young people and the contribution it makes to building healthier and more connected communities – principles that are at the core of our own values.
“We’re delighted to be able to support these groups, and particularly the project to refurbish Copthorne Guide and Scout Hut, which will have wider benefits for the area.”
Over the past 1O years the hut had fallen into a state of disrepair, but a new team of volunteers set about refurbishing the valuable community resource. Of particular concern was a leaky roof that had led to the collapse of a ceiling in the ladies’ toilet.
Thanks to the work of volunteers and a series of fundraising events, much of the work has now been completed and the hut is now available for other groups to hire.
Nicky Fancett, division commissioner for Girlguiding in Shropshire, commented: “We’ve decorated, insulated, rewired, installed new lights, upgraded the heating and fitted new hand driers thanks to the funding, our fabulous team of volunteers and a super builder who helped make our budget stretch a very long way.
“We are reliant on local businesses to support our efforts and members of the local community who attend our fundraising events. These help us to maintain the facility and pay the bills, making us self-sufficient in the long term.
“On behalf of the Copthorne Guide and Scout Hut, I would like to say thank you to Housing Plus Group for starting the ball rolling with the grant for the renovations.”
The My Community Fund, delivered in partnership with Jewson and Efficiency East Midlands Limited (EEM), supports grass-roots organisations in Staffordshire and Shropshire. Local charities and voluntary groups can apply for grants online at: https://www.housingplusgroup.co.uk/contact/my-community-fund/