It’s been a busy few weeks as we approach Christmas to ensure that all our funding is distributed to our chosen grantees. With 61 grants awarded in the past couple of weeks, we haven’t been able to publish details on all of them (although we will be sharing a full list in January). However, here are a few more of our grant recipients this year that we are pleased to share with you.

As always, our work depends on the kindness and generosity of McCarthy Stone, it’s employees, suppliers and customers. We are hugely grateful to all of you who make this work possible. Thank you.

Lazy Lunch – Leintwardine Centre – £400 grant

The Leintwardine Centre provides a monthly lunch for people over the age of 65 in this rural area of Herefordshire. Most of their members are in their 80’s and 90’s and are often lonely and isolated. This grant will provide them with a Christmas Lunch free of charge when many are struggling with the cost of living.

Medstead Voluntary Care Group – £400 grant

Based in Hampshire, this group provides support to the vulnerable and elderly in the Medstead area. Their weekly club is often the only social contact for their members who mostly live independently. They will hold a Christmas Lunch for 60 of their weekly members, providing transport to ensure that everyone can attend.

Mearns Kirk Helping Hands – £750 grant

Mearns Kirk Helping Hands is a volunteer led charity in Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire. They aim to reduce loneliness and isolation and improve wellbeing in the community. The grant will enable them to provide a day of festive food and entertainment for older, isolated or lonely people on Wednesday 27th December. Many of their members will be alone at Christmas and other social groups stop running, so this get together will be their highlight of the festive period.

St Peter’s Church, Furze Platt, Maidenhead – £600 grant

This local community church in Berkshire runs a weekly lunch club with 30-40 people and most are well into their 80’s. They will provide a Christmas lunch and transport for their group thanks to the Foundation grant.

Music4Wellbeing Kent – £980

This Kent based group will deliver 7 winter celebration workshops across Deal, Margate and Erith. Bringing together older, isolated people and those suffering with dementia for a festive session where everyone is encouraged to play an instrument and sing along.

The Friendly Transport Service – £615

Friendly Transport are a small charity supporting the communities in Broseley, Much Wenlock and surrounding areas in Shropshire. They provide community transport and other services to help people continue living independently and improve their quality of life. The Christmas grant will allow them to provide 6 leisure trips to Christmas fayres and markets, providing opportunities to form friendships and reduce loneliness.

Time Out (Community Hub) – £200

The Time Out Community Hub in Paignton has been running for 11 years and is a thriving group that offers services to older people in the surrounding estates. They build bridges between the young and old. Their Christmas event will bring together local primary school children and older residents for mince pies, afternoon tea and craft activities.

Stirling4Community – £300

Stirling4Community is a warm and friendly community group who will be able to run a Christmas lunch thanks to the grant. They will offer a totally inclusive event for their older members. Those suffering dementia will be invited with their carers and those who are unable to get to the venue will be offered transport. We helped this wonderful charity with a Christmas grant last year and we are very happy to support their activities again in 2023.