We had reason to celebrate last month as we marked the incredible achievements of the Stoke Park Group Friends Fund which has closed after 17 years of continuous grant making.
We were joined for the afternoon by some of the organisations and individuals supported by the fund and heard about the impact that the grant funding had on them. We were also joined by local charity Music Train who kept everyone entertained.
About the fund
The fund was established in 2007 with the transfer of assets from the League of Friends of Stoke Park Group, a Bristol charity that provided additional support for patients at the Stoke Park Hospital. The Stoke Park Hospital (established 1909) was a large facility for people with learning disabilities, located in Bristol, which officially closed in 1997.
The Stoke Park Friends Group Fund was set up with the aim of continuing to provide support for people who previously enjoyed the facilities provided by the Stoke Park Hospital Group, and other people with learning disabilities who may have used these facilities, had they still been operating.
A grant programme for the fund was launched in 2008, accepting applications from charities, care trusts, families, carers or other bodies that represent or support people with learning disabilities. The grant programme had a particular focus on supporting activities that help individuals with learning disabilities integrate with the community, tackle social isolation or provide opportunities for personal achievement.
Making a long-term impact
The fund was started with an initial transfer of £726,879 which was invested as part of Quartet’s endowment. Annually, a percentage of the investment was made available for grant making, resulting in 17 years of continuous grant making and the awarding of 812 grants totalling £1,072,959.
- Grants ranged in size from under £100 to £20,000, with an average grant size of £1,332.
- Some groups were able to bring in more funding as a direct result of their grant – an additional £294,003 was raised in this way.
- Approximately 149,000 people benefited from this funding.
Analysis of the ‘end of grant’ reports from funded groups highlights six major impact themes from across the programme:
- Reducing isolation and building social connection.
- Building confidence and self-esteem.
- Supporting independence.
- Enabling access to arts, culture and creative expression.
- Supporting physical and mental health and wellbeing.
- Reaching those who fall through the gaps.
Funding in action
Click on the links below to read about some of the local charities the Stoke Park Group Friends Fund has supported.
Funding to support the running costs of the Milestones Trust Warmley Wheelers Project, an accessible cycling scheme for adults with learning disabilities.
“Through our adapted cycles, we provide the means for people to experience the freedom and sensations of cycling who might not otherwise have had the opportunity. All benefit from increased health benefits of exercise as well as the social plus mental health benefits of feeling a sense of achievement and being able to access cycling as active citizens in the community.”
Funding for a group of learning-disabled people to attend Woodhouse Park, an adventure and camping park run by the Scouts association near Thornbury
“Having to look after themselves, even for a few days, showed the participants that they could be more independent and were capable of making decisions on their own. They were accompanied by staff and volunteers who were able to witness their achievements and have been able to remind them of these afterwards.”
Funding for Brandon Trust to offer 20 young people with learning disabilities, between the ages of 14-19, the opportunity to go away on an adventure activity residential holiday for 8 days.
“It enabled the young people to experience some independence as they had to look after themselves more then they would at home but with some support from staff. They were able to gain confidence and resilience from doing the activities and facing situations that made them nervous and over coming them. To see all of them grow in confidence and achieve was amazing.”
Funding to provide adults with learning disabilities with online creative activities and regular communication to prevent long-term negative consequences due to increased social isolation during the COVID lockdown.
“We have been able to help our members not just cope during this time but provided an outlet to translate their negative experiences in lockdown into creative content and expression. It has meant in the last month, when we have begun our filming and training work again with members, they are ready and motivated to get out and take part.”
Funding to develop an after-school club for young people in the local community with learning disabilities and other additional needs.
“The outstanding benefit is that of growing a community for parents and carers, being able to meet, chat and relax around others in similar situations…they are encouraged to talk to other parents and carers, so they don’t feel so isolated. We try and give all our parents a sense of belonging to a community that is here to help support and care for all parents, siblings and extended family.”
A grant towards the work of the Supported Farming and Green care unit which supports the health and well-being of people with learning disabilities.
“It continues to be effective and impactful on the lives of our service users, improving their confidence, teaching them new skills, and enabling them to be more independent’. A participant ‘OP often complained of fatigue. He lacked confidence and was reliant on his support worker to bolster his confidence…OP is now a confident and motivated young man. He mixes well with the whole group and greatly enjoys the sociable parts of the day. His physical fitness levels are much improved, and he never complains of fatigue.”
Funding to continue weekly social club activities for adults with learning disabilities, promoting “capability over disability” through inclusive social activities.
“Regular social and physical activities have boosted fitness, reduced anxiety, and provided structure and purpose. The project has also increased community cohesion, with members becoming more visible and included in more local spaces, helping to reduce stigma and build understanding.”
Funding to create an accessible bakery kitchen workspace for use by individuals with learning disabilities to learn transferable work skills to help them secure meaningful work.
“It’s a positive, affirming place of work, in which people can develop confidence and self-esteem. This grant has enabled us to be fully inclusive. JS is a wheelchair user who also has a learning disability. He can now be involved in all aspects of the baking day and as a result feels much more included in the bakery.”
Funding toward the ongoing cost of the Music Man project, providing music and performance sessions for the benefit of individuals with learning disabilities.
“The Music Man Project has provided our creative artists with a platform to raise awareness about the incredible difference music has made. Emotional well-being, basic skill development, self-discipline, teamwork, co-ordination, communication and social skills have all been significantly enhanced through attendance of the music project.”
To create an accessible bakery kitchen workspace for use by individuals with learning disabilities to learn transferable work skills to help them secure meaningful work.
“It’s a positive, affirming place of work, in which people can develop confidence and self-esteem. This grant has enabled us to be fully inclusive. JS is a wheelchair user who also has a learning disability. He can now be involved in all aspects of the baking day and as a result feels much more included in the bakery.”
Talk to us
If you’re interested in giving locally and want to find out more, please get in touch. Our friendly team will be happy to meet with you for a chat. Please contact Sabita Ravi, Head of Philanthropy or call Sabita on 0117 989 7712.