GWR’s grant boost for Gloucestershire Community Foundation projects

Gloucestershire Community Foundation (GCF) successfully applied for funding for a Third Sector Recovery programme and Surviving a Covid Winter Appeal.

As part of GWR’s franchise agreement with the Department for Transport, the train operator is committed to supporting community and not-for-profit organisations and was able to grant £10,000 to each project.

GCF has joined forces with the Cranfield Trust and The Honourable Company of Gloucestershire to design a mentoring programme to create a lasting benefit to the county’s third sector.

Ten charity leaders will work with 10 mentors to complete the 12-month programme, which will include webinars and workshops to support skills and learning, such as digital and marketing workshops.

GCF chief executive Talitha Nelson said:

“The aim is to support the third sector to recover from the impact of Covid-19 and directly contribute to building sector resilience and sustainability to adapt to now and future further challenges.”

The Surviving a Covid Winter Appeal was launched by GCF in November to shine a light on one of the major hidden issues affecting the county over the winter months.

According to the Office for National Statistics, ‘Excess Winter Deaths’ have risen considerably in Gloucestershire as people face the stark choice between eating or heating.

Talitha said:

“Senior citizens are the most vulnerable as they are so susceptible to the extremes of winter. Poverty means that if they choose to eat, they end up sitting in cold, damp houses, which exacerbates their respiratory issues.”

GWR Community Manager Emma Morris said:

“We have a specific pot of money designed to support community and not-for-profit organisations. We all know about the challenges people are facing in the wake of the pandemic and we were pleased to support Gloucestershire Community Foundation in its attempts to help the county recover.”

To find out more about Gloucestershire Community Foundation please visit gloucestershirecf.org.uk/

Notes to editors

First Greater Western Limited, trading as “Great Western Railway” (GWR), operates trains across the Great Western franchise area, which includes South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, across southern England and into London. GWR provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services, and before the covid-19 pandemic helped over 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year. GWR was recently awarded an extension to its direct award franchise (called DA3), which shall run up to 31 March 2023 with an option to extend for a further year. 
Find out more here: https://www.gwr.com/about-us