Community Funds awarded

The new Community Fund has awarded £50,000 to 12 projects run by colleagues supporting the local community in Reading. The Community Fund, launched earlier this year, is part of the University’s partnership with the John Sykes Foundation.  This is the first year of a two-year pilot, with both organisations contributing financially.

The successful projects cover a diverse range of areas, including art, music, education, sport, environment and heritage, and are aimed at helping those with disabilities, the homeless, refugees, school pupils, older people and more. Among other projects, the money will help fund: 

• a mixed ability rugby team, including those with disabilities
• a refugee football team based in Reading
• a tuition programme for pupils who have been excluded from school
• helping Reading’s homeless develop work skills and build confidence

Applications were received for 29 community projects for a total of £140,000 in funding and came from colleagues from a wide range of Schools and Functions. Funding decisions were made by a panel (pictured), which included: Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Van de Noort and Dr Sally Lloyd-Evans, Deputy Head of Department for Geography and Environmental Science and Public Engagement with Community Research Fellow, whose research focuses on working with local communities, alongside John Sykes, Founder & Chair of Trustees and Sian McCoubrey, Volunteer, from the John Sykes Foundation.

The panel were impressed by the quality and diversity of the proposals, meaning some difficult decisions had to be made. Priority was given to those projects which demonstrated commitment by colleagues to volunteering their time outside of work; the legacy for the local community; and the ability to reproduce in future years or on a larger scale.

Professor Robert Van de Noort said: “It was great to see so many applications from such a wide variety of Schools and Functions across the University. It is testament to the commitment of our colleagues to their local communities and our town. Our colleagues do so much for Reading, showing we truly are a University for Reading.”

John Sykes commented: “My family and I are proud of our Reading roots and passionate supporters of the people of Reading through the John Sykes Foundation. The range of charities and community groups represented was inspiring, and it was fantastic to see new ones brought to light. This is a very promising start to this two-year pilot and our partnership with the University. I am looking forward to seeing how this funding will help change and improve the lives of local people supported by these community projects.”

We will be featuring individual projects supported by the Community Fund throughout the coming academic year in our communication channels.

For those projects that were not successful this year, colleagues can contact the Alumni and Supporter Engagement Office (ASEO) for more support. Alternatively, there is the opportunity to apply for crowdfunding through Reading FundSpace, run by the University, to raise funds needed for community projects.

The Community Fund will open again for applications in the spring/summer next year.

About the John Sykes Foundation 

Established in 2014 by John Sykes, the John Sykes Foundation is a UK registered charity which has been established to improve the lives and well-being of individuals and communities within the town of Reading where there is an element of disadvantage. Read more about the Foundation at johnsykesfoundation.org