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Giving back with our Small Good Stuff grants

8 April 2022 · Categories: Awards, Small Good Stuff

As a way of giving back and reinvesting in communities we launched a grant back in February through Small Good Stuff for local people who run small enterprises offering care or support to other local people (we call these very small ventures, community enterprises). Our grant programme aimed to support the folk running these fantastic community enterprises through qualifications or broader learning opportunities.

During the application process, we encouraged people to think creatively and use the grant to look outside their minimum formal training requirements, possibly developing into new areas…we received a flurry of applications and were not disappointed with quality or variety!

We feel privileged to be part of Small Good Stuff and love the innovative ways that Community Catalysts recognise and value small and grassroots organisations. The process of applying for this grant has been simple and straightforward, cutting out the usual red tape but paying attention to what matters most.

Exclusively Inclusive

In total, we supported 22 community enterprises to get 54 course places, totalling £11,533. Learning and training topics were wide-ranging and included:

  • Set of four images showing an older lady seated and throwing a ball1 x art therapy
  • 1 x post-adoption therapy (Theraplay)
  • 1 x holistic massage
  • 1 x foot health
  • 1 x fundraising
  • 1 x social media
  • 1 x healing effects of sound and vibration
  • 2 x supporting end of life
  • 3 x improving wellbeing
  • 5 x coaching opportunities
  • 8 x exercise/dance-related
  • 9 x first aid/health and safety
  • 10 x self-esteem and self-development…

…We also supported 1 research project which offered 10 places to carers in Oldham and Rochdale to look at the benefits of online yoga and wellness sessions.

It was great to see community enterprise leaders looking to extend their development opportunities to their volunteers, as well as people they offer support to!

This grant will help today, tomorrow and everyday in the lives of hundreds of people and for the foreseeable future. Our oldest member is 105 years young and has been joining in with our activities for 10 years, just goes to show that keeping active really does help you to remain young.

Heydays Day Services

About Small Good Stuff

We ran our grant scheme through Small Good Stuff – our free online directory that links people who are looking for a bit of care or support with other local people who might be able to help. Find out more about Small Good Stuff.

Both Small Good Stuff and Community Catalysts have been the best supporters for my social enterprise…Community Catalysts has helped us with business structure, mentoring, provided support around mindset, provided targeted training that business owner needs, increased our visibility on the grassroot level, connecting our services with other partners and included us in community events and networks. Small Good Stuff helps us reach much wider audiences with different projects that we can take part remotely, especially during lockdown. And the support continues to keep us visible on social media, publications, various report and studies.

Envolve Wellness


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