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Supported by an annual share of Keepmoat Plc profits, The Keepmoat Foundation is an independent 'Community Investment Programme' that will transform local lives through the support of charities, community groups, schools and initiatives.
Commenting on the official launch of the Keepmoat Foundation, David Blunt, Chief Executive, Keepmoat plc, said:
"As specialists in regeneration and affordable homes we understand the importance of our role in transforming an area and this goes beyond creating new homes and refurbishing houses.
"We have and always will be, committed to making sustainable contributions to community development and the launch of the Foundation creates a structure which enables us to make a real difference to people's lives.
"Everyday, without exception, throughout all of our individual business units and at all levels, Keepmoat's staff are committing their time, resources and expertise to schemes and projects which regenerate and bring communities closer together. Through the establishment of the Keepmoat Foundation, we will be able to channel all this great work and support it in a way that means we can do even more."
One example of the positive legacy that the Keepmoat Foundation aims to create is the progress made over the last two years by Keepmoat's pioneering work with Outward Bound - a project that will now become part of the Keepmoat Foundation.
Established to energise and inspire young people in order to help develop their skills and improve their future prospects, Outward Bound has impacted on the lives of over 700 secondary school pupils and led to full-time apprenticeships within Keepmoat for 30 individuals.
Explaining the difference made to communities through Keepmoat's involvement with Outward Bound, Steve Howe, Consultant to Outward Bound, said:
"Keepmoat's commitment and involvement with Outward Bound has been invaluable.
"It is only through Keepmoat's efforts that we have been able to work with a huge number of young people, providing them not only with an experience that will last a lifetime but with skills, confidence and inspiration that will prove useful to them in their chosen career.
"Support for this project runs throughout the company and the direct participation of many, many staff has been crucial in securing the outstanding results recorded. They should all be rightly proud of the impact they have had on some of the most deprived communities in the UK.
"Outward Bound exists to give youngsters the ambition to achieve and without question we have achieved our ambition, through the success of this project. Keepmoat is a company that not only involves itself with communities, but places itself at the very heart of community life."
The Keepmoat Foundation, through a network of established Community Foundations has already begun to distribute grants to organisations across the UK with giving set to increase in the coming weeks and months.
In addition to Outward Bound, community groups who have received grants from the Keepmoat Foundation include:
- Walton Junior FC (Anfield and Bootle, Liverpool)
A group of young disabled people aged 8-18 years who come together to play football. The project helps the young people and parents to become more confident and improve their sociability whilst improving their health.
- Seagulls Re-Use Ltd. (Leeds)
A grassroots social enterprise that focuses on recycling activities. Collecting over 40 tonnes of paint each year which is re-cycled and often sold to community groups and other social enterprises for a lower than commercial cost to help promote re-use and recycling.
- Innit Productions (Salford, Manchester)
A theatre group that is putting on a series of community participation performances at the Lowry between the 3rd and 13th October. Inspired by Salford people, the shows will engage with local communities and provide a number of activities such as workshops, creative design and scriptwriting. - PR Newswire, UK
Posted June 21st, 2007 by Alla
