Social Impact Report - torusfoundation.org.uk fileFoundation activities sit within a clear delivery framework. Our four key impact areas, or pillars, do not sit in isolation. It is

Social Impact Report 2018 – 2019

Our mission

We partner with people and places to create a platform for real, lasting change. Our teams work every day to develop better connected, independent and sustainable neighbourhoods that offer people the best life chances.

For stronger communities

Torus Foundation Social Impact Report 2018 - 2019 2

Welcome to Torus Foundation’s first annual Social Impact Report. As the charitable arm of Torus, the largest affordable homes provider in the North West, we’re serious about our mission ‘for stronger communities’ - improving lives and building better futures together.

2018/19 was a year of growth and transformation. On 1st January, Torus and LMH Group came together to create a new social purpose organisation dedicated to creating sustainable, stable, thriving communities through support, investment, development and regeneration.

Social impact is integral to the new group’s sense of purpose. And coming together as a unified team means we can now make an even bigger difference where it is most needed.

Torus Foundation aims to do just that.

This report looks back at the impact delivered by the teams that combined in April 2019 to form Torus Foundation. We have also showcased several of our key partnerships and explain how we work closely with like-minded organisations to change lives.

Evaluation and analysis is an essential part of what we do. It provides essential insight into the impacts we deliver, stimulates discussions with existing and new partners, and helps us to shape future services.

I hope you find this Social Impact Report an engaging and productive read.

Kate ShoneManaging Director, Torus Foundation

ContentsOur Story 42018/19 Highlights 5Changing Lives 6Employment 7Go Digital 10Money Matters 13Health & Wellbeing 16FireFit Hub 19Big Local Programmes 22 Our Supporters 23


LIVERPOOLST HELENSWARRINGTON

The four ‘pillars’


Our storyAs the charitable arm of the Torus group, Torus Foundation is a diverse and ambitious social purpose organisation committed to unlocking potential and creating thriving and sustainable communities. Our 29th April launch united experienced teams: the Social Impact teams in St Helens and Warrington, ComMutual in Liverpool and New Leaf in Warrington. By coming together, we’re now able to reach even more people, deliver enhanced services in partnership and tackle local and regional challenges head on.

Torus and LMH Group, two of the North West’s largest social landlords, joined forces on 1st January 2019 to form the new, larger Torus group, which comprises four key business areas: a landlord with around 40,000 homes, property developer, commercial contractor and social entrepreneur.

A sustainable business model underpins our work. Fellow Torus group members HMS and Torus Developments donate a proportion of their commercial profits through Gift Aid, giving us a solid financial base from which to support and sustain meaningful social projects.

The four ‘pillars’ To make sure we make the biggest positive difference where it is most needed, all Torus Foundation activities sit within a clear delivery framework. Our four key impact areas, or pillars, do not sit in isolation. It is important for us to deliver a joined up approach across all services.

We regularly review every element of our services to ensure that funding is targeted to meet the needs of our local communities.

Focused on three heartland areasWe exist to support Torus tenants and communities, to tackle deprivation and promote inclusion across the group’s three heartland areas:

2018/19 Highlights:

£3.9m in financial gain

unlocked for 1,630 customers

£7.6 million delivered in social impact*

Every £1 spent created £8.60 in social value

117 charity & community

groups awarded £80,000 in funding

643 people into

employment

£215,000 was generated in in-kind funding

1,919 training courses

completed

£200,000 received in match funding

521 people benefitted from

digital training

£3.8m received in grant funding

1,086 attended health

and wellbeing sessions

*based on 3,080 outcomes, certified by HACT

££


Changing lives In detail

Ages Under 18: 6% 18-24: 10% 25-34: 16% 35-44: 20% 45-54: 11% 55-64: 18% 65+: 18% prefer not to say: 1%

20% had received long-term support from the charity for over three years

526 responses

98% were satisfied or very satisfied with our services

65% female 35% male

23% from BME backgrounds

74% Torus tenants

Source (Torus Foundation Customer Survey 2019)

We asked people what they thought about our services. Here’s what they told us:

My overall health and managing my money have improved significantly.

Coming along has made me a different person, I just love FireFit!

With the financial barriers I had, the support has been amazing.

My children have been to your School Holiday Camps for four years and they love it – the staff are fantastic!


How we support people into work

EmploymentBy providing personalised pathways and opening doors to work experience and training, we helped people develop work-ready skills and find employment.

People in employment

Find out how we’re building digital skills on page 10

Find out about our Health & Wellbeing projects on page 16

Source (Nomis 2018)Source (Nomis 2018)

* Hidden deprivation: 28 of 127 LSOAs in Warrington are amongst the 20% most deprived in the country for the Employment Domain

Warrington 76%*

National Avg. 75%

St. Helens 73%

Liverpool 68%

† Hidden deprivation: 22 of 127 LSOAs in Warrington are amongst the 20% most deprived in the country for the Education, Skills & Training Domain

Working age people with no qualifications

Warrington 6%†

National Avg. 8%

St. Helens 12%

Liverpool 11%

BUILDING ENGLISH, MATHS, DIGITAL SKILLS AND VOCATIONAL EXPERIENCE OPENS NEW PATHWAYS TO WORK

TAILORED SUPPORT BOOSTS SKILLS, CONFIDENCE AND ASPIRATIONS

Impacts

643 people supported into work

1,919 training courses completed

246 work placements & volunteer places undertaken

£28,000 employment bursaries awarded to 126 customers

£


PTS Rail track maintenance training and employment programmeRail track maintenance roles can provide well-paid work and progression to more specialised roles, but require track safety and specific tool qualifications. This project took people with the aptitude to succeed and provided them with training and access to vacancies.

Project Impacts:

13 people fully trained

11 gained employment

I can already see that in the long term there are so many options for me in this sector, such as different courses and licenses. There is definitely scope here for a lifelong career.

Andrew

Highlight Projects


ILM Access to WorkILM Access to Work is part-funded by the European Social Fund and the Youth Employment Initiative. As an ILM delivery partner, we set up supported placements for young adults in Liverpool who are not in work or training. Participants undertake a six-month paid work placement, with intense mentoring support.

Participant age range: 16 - 29 years

Project Impacts:

58 young people took placements

31 training courses completed

37 people gained employment

4 moved into full time education

52,780 hours work experience provided

Ste’s storyAfter a year on Universal Credit, Ste took unpaid work experience opportunities in the hope one might lead to paid permanent work.

Signposted to ILM Access to Work, Ste met Torus Foundation staff to explore his skills and experience, and he was successful in his interview to join the Liverpool branch of VPS UK for a six-month paid work placement. As well as supporting the placement, Torus Foundation helped out by funding driving lessons.

Ste explains, “I came off Universal Credit as soon as the placement began as I was taking home a wage. My confidence has really improved and I feel a lot better bringing my own money home to pay keep.”

When the placement came to an end, Dave Butcher, Regional Manager for VPS, was delighted to offer Ste a full-time position.

Dave comments, “It’s been a positive experience working alongside Torus Foundation, helping young people to take steps to return to work.”

My confidence has really improved.

Highlight Projects

Liverpool Mutual in Work

Liverpool Mutual in Work (LMIW) is a partnership project commissioned by Torus Foundation and delivered by Liverpool City Council, as part of its wider Liverpool in Work partnership. The project provides one-to-one advice and guidance from trained employment specialists. In 2018/19, LMIW helped 49 Torus tenants gain employment; a further 99 completed training courses.

James participated in LMIW. He said, “Staff are so helpful and professional and will go the extra mile to help people out.”

Ade also took part and explained, “I have benefitted a lot; the project has given me work experience and built my confidence as well as helping me with childcare during holidays.”

We share our knowledge and expertise, and working with Torus Foundation has been of great benefit. For example, the Foundation provides wraparound services such as IT Hubs, courses, debt management and health & wellbeing initiatives that support our mutual aims.

Julia McNally, Employer Engagement Manager at Liverpool in Work


The New Leaf programme, has been giving those furthest away from employment in Warrington and Cheshire the opportunity to gain the skills they need to get into work or training.

The programme has been allocated £10.6 million of funding over three and a half years from the Building Better Opportunities programme. Funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and The National Lottery Community Fund, New Leaf brings together over 20 trusted local organisations to work towards one common goal – to change lives.

Project Impacts: 225 people into work

234 into training or education

152 people actively job searching

160 work placements

£153,000 in savings generated for participants

126 people received mental health support

1324 training courses completed

In total 1639 people were helped to get closer to work, including

884 people with a disability

102 from BME communities

327 aged 50 and over

416 under the age of 25

Emma’s storyEmma is a New Leaf participant and Torus resident.

“For over a decade I’ve suffered from severe anxiety. My condition had become so debilitating that I was completely housebound. New Leaf has provided me with the confidence to take my children on days out and the ability to enjoy my life again.

I’ve learnt new skills and gained qualifications so I’m ready to look for jobs.”

Thanks to New Leaf I now know that I can do anything that I put my mind to.

How we help people get online

UK households that do not have an Internet connection

Find out about our Employment impacts on page 7

Adults who have never used the Internet

WE SUPPORT PEOPLE TO GET ONLINE AND LEARN VITAL DIGITAL SKILLS

IT SESSIONS HELP BUILD CONFIDENCE AND ABILITIES - AND CAN IMPROVE SOCIAL WELLBEING

DIGITAL SKILLS ENABLE PEOPLE TO APPLY FOR JOBS, WELFARE BENEFITS AND MORE ONLINE

Impacts

521 people attended digital hubs

424 people completed digital training

802 digital sessions delivered at 25 digital hubs

19 volunteer Digital Champions created

22%Source (ONS 2017)

4.8 million

Source (ONS 2017: Internet users in the UK)


Go DigitalWe are committed to increasing the number of digitally included households. Our digital hubs provide free, informal digital skills training.



Include-IT MerseyInclude-IT is an ESF/Lottery Building Better Opportunities Funded project. We provide residents with one-to-one advice and entry-level IT skills to remove barriers to finding a job. Our team partners with St Helens Chamber, which provides employment advice, and St Helens CVS, which trains volunteer digital champions to facilitate a range of free IT sessions.

Participant age range: 18 – 65 years

Project impacts:

76 people completed the course

11 gained employment

25 successfully accessed training

16 people helped with job searches

Victoria’s storyVictoria has experienced significant changes in her life recently, both at home and in the workplace. She was about to be sanctioned by Universal Credit (UC), when Torus’ Tenancy Sustain Network Team stepped in.

Referred to the Include-IT Mersey programme, Victoria has improved her digital skills and boosted her confidence. During the regular free sessions, she also received support with UC activities, including keeping her online journal up to date.

Victoria is now enrolled onto a more advanced IT course, her financial situation has improved and she has taken a volunteer placement with Greenspace in Women in Construction, giving her a great advantage when she returns to work in the near future.

Victoria said, “Torus Foundation did not give up on me. They gave me opportunities and hope. I now realise I can do so much with the Internet and it’s not as hard as one might think.”

St Helens ChamberSt Helens Chamber is one of the largest Chambers in the UK, offering services to support local businesses in St Helens from start up to flourish, as well as a range of employment and enterprise initiatives for local people in the community.

“Our partnership and collaboration over the last few years has proven instrumental in supporting the digital skills agenda. The Include-IT Mersey project has allowed us to bring together experts from both organisations to support local people to develop their IT skills, confidence and motivation to progress into jobs, education or training.”

Lisa Grimes, Guidance Services Manager, St Helens Chamber

I now realise I can do somuch...

Highlight Projects Key Partner

Jamie’s storyFollowing a number of sessions at the Warrington Digital Hub, Jamie has been using the time at the hub to improve his basic computer skills. He has also benefitted from support to complete online forms and job searches as part of his online Universal Credit Journal requirements.


One DigitalWe have established a Digital Champions Model in Liverpool and St Helens, working with 19 volunteers who support their local digital hubs each week. We were Awarded £20,000 seed funding from Clarion Futures, the project helped to develop the essential digital skill needs of people accessing employment support. Volunteer Digital Champions have received support in their role and completed training including the European Computer Driving License. Participant age range: 16 – 65 years

Project Impacts:

19 volunteer Digital Champions

390 job seekers engaged

1456 volunteer hours completed

7 Digital Champions completed the European Computer Driving License

Sioux’s storyAfter attending her local Torus Foundation Digital Hub for three years, Sioux was proud of what computer knowledge she’d acquired during the sessions. Using her new skills, she was keen to get involved with the project to help her local community.

Once she had completed the accredited training, along with other volunteers, Sioux began assisting other learners with their online journey.

Sioux said, “I’m proud of what I’ve achieved. The project has given me the opportunity to now help support other Torus customers online to perhaps look for work, set up an email address for their Universal Credit claims and help build their confidence using the computer.” Everton Development Trust Torus Foundation commissions and works in partnership with Everton Development Trust to deliver Digital Hub sessions and ECDL training across Liverpool.

“Working closely together, and sharing a commitment to nurture social capital, we’ve been able to provide learners with a relaxed, friendly, non-threatening and empowering environment in which to increase their IT skills, employability and wellbeing. We’re delighted to be doing this work with a partner who we share an ethos and a set of values that are truly and purposefully community-focused.”

Andrew Williams, Chief Executive, EDT

t

For me it’s been more about the computer skills, I’m making friends along the way.

Highlight Projects

Key Partner

How we help people get online

No. of children classed as living in poverty

KEY INTERVENTIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS HELP CUSTOMERS IMPROVE THEIR FINANCIAL HEALTH

HELPING PEOPLE TO REDUCE DEBT AND MANAGE FINANCIAL CHALLENGES

Impact highlights

£3.9m in financial gain was unlocked for 1630 customers

£72k in grants obtained for customers

2968 people supported through food banks

117 local charities awarded £80,000

Source (JRF, 2017 ‘Inclusive Growth in Liverpool City Region’)Source (Nomis 2015)

Families relying on tax credits to top up low wage

Liverpool City Region 1 in 5

TARGETED GROUPS

WORKINGFAMILIES

CHILDRENIN POVERTY

VULNERABLE GROUPS

£

£

£


Money MattersWe engage with customers of all ages who want to improve their financial situation, by providing financial information, grant support and access to affordable loans.

Liverpool 1 in 3

St. Helens 1 in 5

National Avg. 1 in 6

Warrington 1 in 8


Welfare Benefit SavingsWe provide one-to-one advice for new and existing tenants who are claiming Universal Credit. It starts with helping people through every stage of making a claim which can then transition into ongoing support at our digital hubs – ensuring customers are able to maintain their claims through job searches and update their journals.

Project Impacts:

1509 customers provided with welfare benefits advice

318customers supported with debt

£3,922,874in financial gains for customers

“I received help to claim Universal Credit because I don’t have a computer at home. The staff were friendly and there was lots of information and support available.”

Torus Foundation customer, St Helens “For me, being disabled, Raise visited my home and it took all of the stress and worry out of the situation. I had successful outcomes for all my benefit queries.”

Raise and Torus Foundation customer, Liverpool

Raise Raise is an independent charity, commissioned by Torus Foundation to provide free, confidential advice and training around welfare benefits, debt and money management for Torus customers in Liverpool.

“Partnership working is critical considering finite resources and the demands on services. Torus Foundation is one of our main funders and we value the close working relationship we have with them. Not only are they a funder of Raise, they’re also a community resource, pulling in funding and partners where a gap or need is identified.”

Emma Cook, Chief Officer, Raise


Working Well Tenancy Support Set up in January 2019, the Working Well project strives to tackle a highlighted need to support vulnerable tenants moving into Torus properties, to ensure they are able to lay the foundations to sustain their tenancy.

Early intervention helps customers to set up services when they move in, including utilities and bank accounts. We also provide a range of money saving tips.

Project Impacts:

135 tenants supported

£16,000of savings generated for customers

100%tenancy sustainment at three month check-up

“I am overwhelmed by the support and assistance provided. I didn’t expect any support from my landlord, I don’t know how I would have managed without their help. Thank you so much.” Torus Foundation customer

Raise took all of the stress out of the situation.

Key Partner

£

Highlight Projects

Fuel SavingsWe provide one-to-one support and advice in tenants’ homes to help them understand complex charges on their bills, compare energy tariffs, apply for individual grants to make financial savings and claim warm home discount. Our teams help people save hundreds of pounds and reduce their fuel debt. Funding is also available for those who are vulnerable and in immediate need.

A new tenant who signed for a property was struggling financially, despite being in full-time work. Previously, she had lived in a hostel, had no household items and was unable to obtain credit due to a poor credit history. The Helping Hand Fund helped to supply white goods and a household pack worth £654. She said, “I can’t believe the help and support that I have been given.”

Community Investment FundEmpowering local people to support and lead community initiatives helps everyone to make the most of resources; we believe we achieve more together. Community groups and charities in Liverpool had the opportunity to apply for funding from the Foundation for small funds of up to £3,000 that would benefit neighbourhoods.

Project Impacts:

117 local community groups & charities awarded funding

£80,000funding given out

£192,853match funding generated through the project

Norris Green Youth CentreNorris Green Youth Centre in Liverpool applied for Community Investment Funding to help expand their cooking facilities to accommodate a growing need in the centre. The grant enabled the team to convert their art room into a dual purpose space, and install three hooded electric cookers and stainless steel work stations.

The facility is helping the team to educate young members and volunteers from the community to cook healthier nutritious meals and work to a budget not only for themselves but for their families. Plans are also in place to offer food hygiene courses to benefit members and local residents wishing to pursue employment in the catering industry.

Centre Manager Glenn explains, “The project will allow us to be in a position to help our community gain a better understanding of healthier choices, learn valuable skills and meet new people.”

£


I am truly grateful and can’t thank people enough.

Highlight Projects Key Partner

How we support healthy lives

Year 6 children classified as obese

Find out how our FireFit Hub delivers key services on page 19

TAILORED SERVICES ARE SHAPED TO MEET LOCAL NEED AND CITY-WIDE PRIORITIES

POSITIVE INTERVENTIONS TACKLE HEALTH INEQUALITIES FOR CUSTOMERS

Impact highlights

1086 people attended health & wellbeing sessions

456 health bursaries provided, totalling £24,000

551 children accessed breakfast clubs

137 school holiday camp days for 318 children

Source (Public Health England 2017)Source (ONS 2016-17)

Emergency hospital admissions for injuries due to falls in persons aged 65+ per 1000

TARGETED GROUPS

YOUNGERPEOPLE

OLDERPEOPLE

VULNERABLE GROUPS

Warrington 17.5%

National Avg. 20%

Liverpool 23.4%

St. Helens 24.5%

Warrington 3250

National Avg. 2114

Liverpool 3168

St. Helens 2845 £

Health & WellbeingDynamic approaches are needed to improve health outcomes in our communities. We strive to reduce health inequalities for customers with services shaped around local need and provision.



Older People’s Activities We support older people to engage in a range of social activities. 2018/19 sessions were delivered across our independent living schemes for people over the age of 55. These projects promoted healthy lifestyles and encouraged older people to take part in gentle physical exercise.

Project Impacts:

320 older people took part

197sessions delivered

Jimmy’s story Jimmy moved into a Torus independent living scheme after health problems led to his leg being amputated and needing a more accessible home.

By getting involved with the health and wellbeing sessions, Jimmy not only improved his health, but also got to know his neighbours. During the course, Jimmy got stuck into the chair boogie, indoor bowls and adapting to new healthy foods which have helped to improve his eating habits.

Jimmy said, “I’m only sitting in a chair, but I feel like I’ve have had a full workout, laughed with friends and generally come away ready for my day ahead.”

It’s great making new friends and feeling fitter and healthier.

Four Acre Health ActivitiesAt Four Acre, St Helens, we are delivering a range of activity sessions in the community to help improve physical wellbeing, including fitness sessions, walk and talk and buggy walks. Delivered in partnership with Public Health and the Health Living Team at St Helens Council, activity leaders provide health checks and run healthy cooking courses, as well as other activities. Participant age range: 18+

Project Impacts:

76 people are actively engaging in physical activity

17attended healthy cooking sessions

33people gained a Level 2 Health Awareness accreditation

Catherine’s storyLooking to improve her health and wellbeing, Catherine has been a regular attendee to the Four Acre Health and Wellbeing Activities since they began. The fitness sessions, including the Fit 4U and Buggy Walks, are not only beneficial to her physical health; she is also seeing a great improvement with her mental health and wellbeing.

As well as keeping fit in the exercise sessions, people on the Buggy Walks have the opportunity to chat about any issues they might need advice with, such as managing their money, where to turn for employment support and other tenant needs.

Catherine said, “I’m not in a position to afford a gym membership so the free sessions enable me to regularly attend along with my young daughter. She loves seeing everyone and leading the way during the Buggy Walks.”

Highlight Projects

M&H AcademyTorus Foundation commissioned M&H Academy to deliver free school holiday camps for tenants with children in Liverpool, who take part in healthy activities, develop life skills, have a healthy lunch and make friends. This project also provides significant support for families who are working and struggle with activities for their children during school holidays.

“We have collectively provided not only free school holiday programmes, but also longer term sustainable outcomes to everyone who accessed our project, via engagement in after school activities, sports clubs, youth clubs, peer education programmes and employment opportunities. This work wouldn’t be possible without the support of Torus Foundation.”

Joe Morgan, Managing Director, M&H Academy

Some parents of children who attended the holiday camps commented:

“My children like going along to the activities, and it means they stay active during time off school and interact with others.”

“It helps my work situation and the children really enjoy the sports and like the coaches.”

“My children have made friends and enjoyed the sports; its free and really helps as I couldn’t pay for this type of activity.”

I have been able to go to work while my kids attend the camp; it’s a massive help.


Warrington Borough Council We work in partnership with Warrington Borough Council to deliver drop-in entry level IT classes in a friendly community environment, offering one-to-one tailored support with invaluable help from community volunteers.

“It’s been good working with Torus Foundation on a number of health and wellbeing projects and adding value to the work we do. From digital hub drop-ins, to supporting people to have access to free food at one of our community cafes, together we have been able to engage more people and journey with them to better health and wellbeing.”

Ruth Whitworth, Community Manager, Warrington Council

Key Partner Key Partner

FireFit Hub is a key delivery venue and flagship project for Torus Foundation - a state of the art community hub based in South Liverpool, giving young people and the wider community access to a suite of sporting and wellbeing opportunities seven days a week.

Project Impacts:

77,258 visits

1,521 members

423 average weekly Youth Zone visits

1,761 school holiday camp visits


Youth Zone We deliver open access youth provision in a safe, friendly and engaging environment for young people aged 6-21 years. Members can take part in over 30 different activities from football, Olympic weightlifting, rollerblading and gym fitness to DJ-ing, arts and games console tournaments. During 2018/19 we launched a range of new activities within our Junior and Senior programmes including Kin-ball, outdoor games and a new computer suite.

Sister Hub Designed as a female-only weekly fitness initiative, the Sister Hub provides a welcoming environment to remove potential barriers to exercise. Sessions include yoga, Zumba, rollerblading and gym fitness.

Project Impacts:

1200 individual visits

100 average visits per month

4 different activities

Faisa’s story Age 16, Faisa has been attending Sister Hub sessions for a year. Initially unsure about trying some of the activities, her confidence has grown. Faisa gets on great with staff, she’s making new friends and enjoying engaging with activities such as boxing and rollerblading. “I’ve been really enjoying the Sister Hub sessions and I look forward to it each week. I take part in the gym sessions which makes me want to get fit in a fun and exciting way!”

Highlight Projects


Joe’s storyJoe is an 18-year-old youth member at FireFit Hub who loves technology. When Joe heard about plans for a new digi-café, he was very keen to be involved. Joe is also autistic and although only engaged with a small number of members at the Hub, he wanted to take that step and put himself forward for one of the Digi-Leader roles, knowing he could bring knowledge and skills to the project. The group of young Digi-Leaders have been incredibly supportive of one another and as a result, that support encouraged Joe to step out of his comfort zone and attend an outdoor based team building and training day. Joining in with team activities and supporting staff in delivering diversity workshops as part of the digital project, Joe’s communication and teamwork skills have clearly improved.

By taking that step to become a Digi-Leader, not only has Joe helped many members benefit from the new digital facility but he has gained more confidence and is speaking to new people across the Hub. Joe commented that he feels more ‘understood’ by fellow members and is more comfortable sharing his hobbies and interests.

Recharge Digital Hub* Launched in March 2019 following a 3-month period of youth-led co design, we created this social space with 10 computers and tablets, with the aim of reducing loneliness for 11-19 year olds. A group of 17 volunteer Digi-leaders have been providing peer-to-peer support for young people accessing the digital hub.

Impacts 2018/19:

893 ‘digital visits’ 48 youth designers 17 volunteer Digi-Leaders

3 workshops

to train

65 young people

79% of participants surveyed said

they made new friends

*Funding was delivered by the Co-op Foundation, part of the Building Connections Fund Youth Strand, a partnership with the Government.


Latchford and Wargrave Big Local We support two Big Local programmes in Latchford, Warrington and Wargrave, St Helens. The Big Local Trust was established by Local Trust and the Big Lottery Fund with a National Lottery grant of nearly £200 million, supporting 150 communities in England.

Latchford and Wargrave Big Locals are resident-led community regeneration programmes. Each resident partnership has £1m to spend over 10 years.

We act on behalf of the resident partnerships to manage the budgets, buy services and projects. We also employ two members of staff to coordinate and manage their programmes, provide financial reports, procure services and support the resident partnerships and working groups.

Torus plays an important role as the Local Trusted Organisation and supports the resident partnerships by holding their money, insuring activities and issuing contracts.

The resident partnerships shape and plan the delivery programmes. Both partnerships have six more years to run and are developing five-year plans to build a legacy in their local areas.

Latchford

Wargrave

Impacts 2018/19:

men attend a weekly group focused on mental wellbeing

25

11

40

20 28

438

960

14

health and wellbeing activities

young people benefitted from money mentoring

small grants provided

meals provided through the Luncheon Club

15 young people received a bursary to attend Warrington Collegiate

residents reported a reduction in self harm thanks to the ‘Beyond the Scars’ initiative

community projects received £5112 via a Community Chest grant

residents attended community engagement events

young people attended Street Soccer sessions

82


In 2018/19, we worked with a spectrum of partners to create the best possible opportunities for local people and communities. Support received from our valued corporate sponsors, grant funders and local partners made the impacts shown in this report possible.

Fundraising is an essential part of our ambitious plans for the future and our mission to create stronger communities.

Generous support from partners, funders and volunteers means we can continue to offer wrap around support to the most vulnerable in our areas from providing young people with a positive start to ensuring older people are engaged in regular social activities.

By working creatively and flexibly to maximise every opportunity, we can do more together.

If you would like to find out more about how you could directly impact any of our projects, from funding support to volunteering, we would love to hear from you.

Here’s how you can get in touch:

call 0300 123 5809email [email protected] www.torusfoundation.org.uk

Our Supporters


call 0300 123 5809email [email protected] www.torusfoundation.org.uk

twitter @TorusFoundationfacebook /thetorusfoundation

Torus Foundation is a part of Torus

Documents

Social Impact Report - torusfoundation.org.uk fileFoundation activities sit within a clear delivery framework. Our four key impact areas, or pillars, do not sit in isolation. It is