Miller Homes pledges support to local community groups across the county
Charities in Derbyshire are being invited to bid for a helping hand as homebuilder, Miller Homes, pledges to donate £10,000 through its Community Fund to good causes across the region this year.
Local charities, community groups and other organisations across Derbyshire are encouraged to apply to the first of two funding rounds due to take place in 2023.
The housebuilder, which is delivering new homes in Allestree, Mickleover, Smalley and Castle Donington, has introduced a regional community fund to help local grassroots projects linked to education, wellbeing, the environment and sport across the East Midlands.
Applications for the first round of funding open on Wednesday 22nd March and will close on Wednesday 3rd May 2023.
Last year, 10 good causes across the East Midlands benefitted from the Community Fund, including primary schools, Scout groups and sports clubs.
Smalley Pre-school Playgroup, near Ilkeston, received a £500 donation from Miller Homes to transform two storage sheds into a permanent sensory summerhouse for children with special educational needs.
Leanne Jordan, trustee at Smalley Pre-school Playgroup, said: “We were delighted to receive a donation from the Miller Homes Community Fund.
“This funding enabled us to create a much needed safe sensory space, not only for the children who attend our pre-school but also for families in our community who attend our playgroup.
“Our sensory shed is a space that allows all children to explore a range of sensory activities which stimulate senses; sight, touch, smell and sound, as well as resources to promote activity in the vestibular and proprioceptive sensory systems.
“On a daily basis, all of our children are able to independently explore the environment, encouraging discovery and independent thinking as well as inspiring imagination and creativity.”
Other Derbyshire organisations to have recently benefitted from Miller Homes’ Community Fund include Hackwood Primary Academy in Mickleover, which received a £380 donation towards two buddy benches, and Shelton Junior School in Shelton Lock, which has been award a £500 donation towards a new community bus.
Purchasing the bus will enable the school to help children with special educational needs or disabilities access new opportunities and gain new skills.
A donation of £400 was also awarded to 1st Melbourne Scouts and Guides towards the refurbishment of the groups’ hut, which is used by 350 children every week.
Alastair Parsons, area sales director for Miller Homes Midlands, said: “We are committed to building communities, in addition to building homes, and have developed a Community Fund to support local projects that promote education, wellbeing, physical activity and the environment.
“Derbyshire benefits from a large number of small local charities and community groups that deliver great opportunities in these areas and are in need of additional financial support.
“These groups are undertaking vital work, from supporting children with medical or education needs to encouraging outdoor activities, so we are keen to help as many of these organisations as we can through our Community Fund.
“We would encourage local groups across the region to get in touch and let us know how we can help them improve their facilities or support a greater number of local people with their services.”
Applications for the first round of funding close on Wednesday 3rd May, after which donations up to a maximum of £2,000 will be awarded to the successful applicants.
A second round of funding will open for applications in September.
