Jigsaw Homes Group marks its first anniversary on 3 April 2019, with the launch of Jigsaw Foundation. The new fund gives residents the chance to bid for a share of £500,000 towards community projects through a new fund set up to help improve neighbourhoods across the North West and East Midlands.
The fund alongside Jigsaw Rewards will also allow tenants to vote on where they would like some of the money to be spent.
Jigsaw, which owns c34,000 homes, is encouraging bids from a range of different applicants across its communities including local or charity projects, resident groups, voluntary organisations, social enterprises and partner agencies.
Jigsaw Homes Group formed on 3 April 2018 following the merger of New Charter Group and Adactus Housing Group and Jigsaw Foundation replaces neighbourhood funds run by the two former organisations.
Community projects to benefit from funding in the past include Sale United’s Powerchair Football which helps children and adults with severe physical difficulties to play competitive sport.
Money has gone towards portable hoists, specialist sports equipment and supported players to take part in the Wheelchair Football Association Premiership league and Midlands Regional Premier League.
Helen Musson, from Sale United PFC said: “We are very grateful for the funding as it has helped to provide the equipment for the players to train as well as the fees for players to compete in national leagues. This has helped the confidence and self-esteem of all the young people who have taken part.”
Other projects to receive funding include local theatres, school workshops, sports activities, dementia cafes, social enterprise start-ups and work clubs.
Applications to Jigsaw Foundation must demonstrate that their projects make a difference to people’s lives and communities either by improving health, wellbeing and loneliness, employment or training, the environment, financial and digital inclusion or supporting people to sustain their tenancies.
Tenants who have registered to the landlord’s Jigsaw Rewards tenant feedback system will be surveyed on applications of up to £25,000. Bids in excess of this will be decided on by Jigsaw’s executive team.
£50,000 from the Jigsaw Foundation programme has also been set aside a special ‘hardship fund’ to support people in immediate financial difficulty with applications made via internal and agency referrals only.
