Severn Trent Community Fund
The Severn Trent Community Fund supports local projects, charities and community groups that support community wellbeing in the Severn Trent region.
Creating a welcoming space for older people & local residents
In 2024, the Severn Trent Community Fund awarded Royal Voluntary Service a grant of £38,330 to undergo a transformative refurbishment to the Hanley Community Centre in Stoke-on-Trent. This funding enabled Royal Voluntary Service to create a more welcoming space for older people and local residents to connect, socialise and thrive.
Royal Voluntary Service’s Hanley Centre has been a cornerstone of support for people in Stoke-on-Trent for more than four decades, but in recent years, and particularly with the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns reducing the centre’s income, the building had begun to show its age.
"We are incredibly grateful to the Severn Trent Community Fund for their generous grant, which has enabled us to transform the Hanley Centre into a bright, welcoming space for everyone in the community. From dementia support groups to the Community Café and meeting spaces for local organisations, the Centre truly offers something for everyone. Thanks to this support, the Hanley Centre has a new lease of life, and we invite local people to visit and take part in the activities on offer."
Helen Podmore, Health & Community Operations Support Manager at Royal Voluntary Service
"The Hanley Centre has long been a lifeline for older people and vulnerable residents in Stoke-on-Trent, and we’re incredibly proud to have supported its transformation through the Severn Trent Community Fund. The improvements made through this project go far beyond bricks and mortar as they have helped restore a sense of safety, dignity and belonging for the people who rely on the centre.
"Royal Voluntary Service has created a warm, inclusive environment where people can connect, stay active and feel part of a community. It’s inspiring to see how this refurbishment has already boosted morale, attracted new users and opened the door to future initiatives that will continue to benefit the local area."
Jade Gough, Community Fund Officer at Severn Trent
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Please email the trusts & foundations team for more information, learn more about future plans and how your support can be deployed to help change lives.