Mustard Seed Ministries: Personal Choice has been awarded £2,726 funding from Abri to support their weekly chair exercises at the Oasis Centre for Adults in Portsmouth.
Personal Choice is a project of Mustard Seed Ministries charity, responding to the needs of the local community; particularly addressing the social and economic disadvantage of people in the Portsmouth ward of Charles Dickens where the project is based. They provide weekly chair exercises for adults which aim to improve physical and mental wellbeing while increasing social interaction. The funding from Abri will support the ongoing costs to run these sessions.
Gilly Reilly-Davidson, Manager at Mustard Seed Ministries: Personal Choice, said: “Kieran Jones, our local Abri Community Development Officer, encouraged us to apply to the fund and we have really appreciated his visits and the time he has given to understand the hearts and aims of Personal Choice, our ongoing needs, and those of the community. It is invaluable to work alongside Abri with its visible commitment to creating communities and empowering lives.”
The Community Fund is part of Abri’s commitment to empowering lives and creating thriving communities, making them better places to live. Abri is one of the south of England’s largest housing providers and has awarded over £65,000 from its Community Fund to support local organisations and projects since April 2021.
Applications are decided on by its customer panel – Thriving Communities – made up of customers and those living in its communities. Lorraine Thompson, from the panel, said: “This is a very inclusive group, providing exercises that are accessible to all, and going at each individual’s pace. It’s a great way for anyone, whatever their mobility, to exercise and help their health and wellbeing. It also provides an opportunity for social interaction, something that’s much needed after the restrictions over the last few years.”
Gilly and the team are particularly passionate about improving the communities’ physical and mental wellbeing after lockdowns. She added: “Personal Choice is extremely grateful for the funding from the Abri Community Fund for our chair exercise program. Regular sessions were started in response to the physical, mental and social needs people in our community were expressing particularly after the lockdown. The exercise is delivered with music in a fun and inclusive way so people of any age and physical mobility can take part. The sessions are proving to be popular and beneficial, and this funding will enable us to secure it as an integral part of our service. Everyone is welcome, there is no need to book as we work on a drop-in basis.”
Other successful applications for Abri’s Community Fund include:
- Gul Outdoor Therapy received £3,000 to support them in providing outdoor activities to improve the health and wellbeing of young people.
- Love Outdoors received £2,000 to create a communal garden at Somerset Court, Gosport.
- Chard Reservoir LNR Volunteers’ Group received £1,000 to launch two family countryside event days.
- Littlemoor Community Action Group in Weymouth received £1,000 to provide equipment to enable community events in a community centre.
“We believe the best ideas often come from the people who know and live in our communities. And we’re committed to supporting and investing in our communities. We’re proud of the difference our Community Fund makes, driving change, transforming our communities and providing opportunities. It’s what our Community Strategy and five-year £15m investment is all about – empowering communities, improving health and wellbeing, and providing employment opportunities,” says Cita Jagot, Communities & Involvement Manager at Abri.
Between April 2022 and March 2023, Abri’s Community Fund will have £90,000 available for communities to apply for. It opens for applications four times a year, and organisations can apply for up to £3,000 to support a project in one of Abri’s communities. The next application window opens on 1 April 2022 and closes on 20 May 2022.
You can find out more about Mustard Seed Ministries: Personal Choice at www.msm.org.uk .
