As a charity operating in the field of social welfare and poverty, we often find that our charitable goals overlap closely with initiatives being pursued by Local Authorities and other project funders. Whilst no third-sector organisation should ever be dependent on the statutory sector for funding, we are always happy to work with our local authority (both at a District and a County level) and other partners to carry out projects of shared interest.
Sometimes we find out about such projects through funding emails or chance encounters with interested parties. However, increasingly, potential project funders will approach us on the back of our past track record in delivering well-managed and effective projects in the poverty space.
Two current examples illustrate this point:
- We are in the latter stages of defining a project to roll out financial education to Schools in our catchment area in a project sponsored by Suffolk County Council, which approached us following a previously successful piece of work in 2023.
- We are also in the early (pilot) stage of specifying a project to provide money and budgetary coaching to the rapidly growing number of employees at Sizewell C.
In some instances, the efficiencies created by using volunteers to deliver all or part of the project are a key factor in selection. However, more often in building projects we will pay our team (at the REAL Living Wage) to carry out the work, recognising the fact that a substantial commitment of time by a skilled practitioner justly requires payment.
Historic, current or potential projects include the following:
- Suffolk County Council: financial education in Schools (2023 and 2026 exp.)
- East Suffolk District Council: Money Coaching courses for Adults (2022)
- East Suffolk District Council: Life Skills course (2023)
- East Suffolk District Council: Counselling support (2025-)
- Sizewell C: Money Coaching courses for Staff (2026 exp.)
There is greater scope to fund specific project activities where that aligns closely with the funding providers’ objectives, not only from those with whom we have worked in the past but also other statutory entities. Naturally, we welcome multi-year project funding as this gives us greater predictability in our finances.
Finally, we always seek to develop a long-term relationship with project-funders: we want them to see the impact that their funding has on the wellbeing of those who turn to us for help and support.