Longleigh Foundation and Stonewater
Supporting transformation In the lives of customers and communities
Hello from The Longleigh Foundation team
Back in 2015, changes in the benefits system and reductions in public spending and services, led Stonewater to set up Longleigh as an Independent charitable foundation to provide access to services and support via Individual, Project and Research grants.
This meant there would be a dedicated focus in providing grants directly to customers as well as funding projects that would provide longer-term provision. Some of these projects are for all customers to access, whilst some are more focused on supporting particular issues.
The number of grants and the amount of funding issued to customers and communities has increased In each of our years of operating. The Covid-19 pandemic and cost-of-living crisis have both had a major impact on people's lives and have seen us provide a diverse range of support from food vouchers and fuel bills to white goods and more, giving people some respite from the daily challenge of making ends meet.
In the past financial year - from April 22-March 23, our team has been busier than ever with 815 grants being given to Stonewater customers and families. An Individual Grant from Longleigh helped Jasmin and Richard to transform their lives. Take a look at our 2022 Annual Review to read more about their stories.
We only get to provide our Individual Grants and fund projects because of Stonewater’s commitment to do as much as they can to support you. If you have received an Individual Grant and this has helped you in some way, please help us spread the word about what support is available to other Stonewater customers.
You can see the support that's there for you on our website and you will find more help and information on the Stonewater My Home Manage your home with MyHome (stonewater.org)
Our Project Grant funding helped Stirling University investigate how older adults could benefit from assistive technology in their everyday lives to improve their health, wellbeing, daily activities and community participation. And, in June 2022, we funded Altair to conduct a three-year research project into the provision of flooring within social housing.
This is a great example of how our increasing grant-making practices, our commitment to the customers and communities served by the social housing sector and our ongoing collaboration with the funding world, all combine.
A message from our Chair, Fiona Ellison
"We know the last year has been tough for many customers with the cost of living crisis putting real pressure on households. That's why I'm so proud of the support we can give to Stonewater customers through our grants programme to make sure that there is a safety net in tough times. Ensuring that when challenging situations arise, we're here to help whether directly or through our grant funded projects. The funding that Stonewater gives Longleigh to enable this work is needed more than ever and I'm grateful for their ongoing support for the work of the Foundation."