MHA Communities North Staffordshire, a charity that runs over 15 activities and clubs for older people in the community, has been awarded a £1,000 grant from British sweet maker Swizzels as part of its Great Community Refresh competition.
Launched to celebrate 70 years of the iconic Refreshers sweets, the nationwide initiative attracted over 1,500 entries from people and organisations seeking support to refresh community projects and spaces.
MHA Communities North Staffordshire was selected as one of the just seven winners and has used the funding to purchase new music equipment, enabling it to continue to bring joy to members of its groups.
The organisation applied to The Great Community Refresh as its old music and karaoke equipment was no longer working properly, making it difficult to run classes.
With the grant, MHA Communities has been able to refresh its equipment, allowing it to continue providing exercise classes, karaoke, music therapy, and dances, which help older people across North Staffordshire maintain their independence, enhance their wellbeing and mobility, and make social connections.
The remaining funds went towards the organisation’s holiday-themed ‘chance to dance’, an afternoon of dancing, music, socialising, fish and chips and ice cream.
MHA Communities North Staffordshire aims to reduce loneliness and isolation amongst older people in the community, enabling them to live in their own homes for longer and access support, activities and events to help them live later life well.
Liz Daley, locality manager at MHA Communities North Staffordshire, said: “This year we’ve seen a significant increase in running costs, from room hire to food and transport. As such, the Swizzels’ Great Community Refresh grant has come at the perfect time and is greatly appreciated to help alleviate some of this pressure, refresh our equipment and enable us to continue to provide our activities, which are so valued by older members of our surrounding communities.
“For some, attending one of our lunches or classes is the only time they leave the house all week, so it’s vital that we can provide these opportunities to prevent isolation and loneliness and we rely on fundraising, donations and grants like this to do so.”
Sarah-Louise Heslop, head of marketing at Swizzels, said: “We received an overwhelming number of entries for The Great Community Refresh, which is a testament to the amazing work that goes on in communities across the UK. MHA Communities North Staffordshire stood out to us as providing a fantastic range of vital services and activities to older residents in its local area. Many people will benefit from the upgraded music equipment, which will allow the organisation to continue to provide opportunities for people to socialise, stay active and have fun.”
Launched in May in celebration of 70 years of Refreshers, The Great Community Refresh initiative received thousands of entries from across the UK. From Belfast down to Dorset, the seven winning projects include wellbeing gardens, an inclusive dance studio, and upgrades to social spaces and facilities for young people, all designed to bring people together and improve local lives.
