Could your local project benefit from a community grant?

The executive chairman of Hopkins Homes, James Hopkins, visited good causes throughout Suffolk ahead of the call for applications to the second round of grants to the Hopkins Homes Building Communities Fund.

The housebuilders established a community fund worth £250,000 last year to provide grants of up to £2,000 to good causes that bring communities together throughout Suffolk. The first round of grants handed out a total of £15,000 to nine charities and community groups across the region in January earlier this year.

Mr Hopkins was introduced to a number of causes throughout the day by members of the Suffolk Community Foundation.

The causes included:

• Bury Women’s Aid - A charity working with women and their children who are victims of domestic abuse in Bury St Edmunds.

• The Mix - An organisation based in Stowmarket that aims to support young people in Suffolk, providing a place where young people can feel inspired, develop their confidence and experience creativity.

• Suffolk Young People’s Health Project – A project which provides a range of services to the most vulnerable, disadvantaged young people in Suffolk.

• Ipswich Housing Action Group – An independent charity with a focus on campaigning for and on behalf of marginalised, especially single homeless, adults. Each year they deliver hostel accommodation for 80 people.

James Hopkins, executive chairman of Hopkins Homes said: “As a local housebuilder we understand just how important a strong community plays in our quality of lives.

“I am delighted to see so many causes throughout our region tackling issues that really make a difference to their community and reach out to the most vulnerable members of our society. I am always keen to learn about the fantastic work they do.

“We are inviting good causes and organisations to apply for a grant of up to £2,000 from the Hopkins Homes Building Communities Fund from 25 April 2016. We will be announcing the second round of grants later this summer.”

Charities and community groups can bid for a share of the fund from 25 April 2016 by contacting the Suffolk Community Foundation on 01473 602602 or emailing grants@suffolkcf.org.uk.

The deadline for submissions is Monday 6 June 2016.

Further details of how to apply and eligibility criteria can be found on the Hopkins Homes website www.hopkinshomes.co.uk/bcf and www.suffolkcf.org.uk/apply/grants.

Winners

The charities awarded grants in the first round were:

• £1000 to Grundisburgh Youth Club

• £1000 to Ipswich and East Suffolk Samaritans

• £1000 to the Ipswich Soup Kitchen

• £2000 donation to Access Community Trust

• £2000 to Fresh Start - New Beginnings

• £2000 to Perspectives Pregnancy Advice

• £2000 to Suffolk Rape Crisis

• £2000 to Suffolk Refugee Support

• £2000 to REACH Community Projects