Ten groups get share of £20,000 charity fund
MONEY FROM THE OWNER OF HIGHCROSS
TEN charities have been awarded a total of £20,000 by the owner of Highcross shopping centre in Leicester.
Property firm Hammerson launched the Giving Back Project in August. The money will go to: Quetzal: A female-led organisation providing mental health support to women who have experienced childhood sexual abuse.
Leicestershire Cares: Tackling poverty and exclusion.
Soft Touch arts: Using arts, media and music to help disadvantaged young people develop creative, social and employability skills.
Action Homeless
Trade Sexual health: An HIV prevention and sexual health promotion charity operating across Leicestershire and Rutland primarily working with anyone who identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender, men who have sex with men and women who have sex with women.
Citizens Advice Leicestershire: Deliving free, confidential, independent, and impartial advice.
East Midlands Sexual Health: Delivering sexual health and wellbeing services.
Community of Grace: Helping homeless and socially isolated people with support and accommodation.
■ Head Strong Well Being: Counselling and psychotherapy to adults, children and couples.
Eyres Monsell Club for Young People: Providing information education to young people aged eight to 25.
The Highcross scheme was developed in partnership with Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation.
Jo Tallack, general manager at Highcross, said: “This project is all about giving something back to those groups that have pulled out all the stops over the past few months, and need a helping hand to ensure they can continue to carry out their valuable work.”
Katy Green, chief executive of the foundation said: “We are delighted at the generosity of Highcross Leicester.
“The fund means more people can be helped.”
Deb Knight, of Quetzal said: “The funding will make a huge difference to the number of women we can support”
Makinder Chahal, Senior Health Promotion Lead at Trade Sexual health said: “This award is going to benefit so many people to stop feeling isolated and improve their mental health.”
Richard Evans, chief executive at Citizens Advice Leicestershire said: “We are enormously grateful to the Highcross Fund for funding the laptops that enable our staff to provide the advice and support our communities need during this difficult time.”
Ben Brown, a trustee at Community of Grace said: “We are delighted to have this support from the Highcross to enable us to provide a safe and welcoming space for people to meet, following long periods of social isolation.”