Principality Building Society has awarded £117,000 between 24 charities who give support to young people in some of the most vulnerable and financially deprived communities across Wales.
The largest building society in Wales received almost 100 applications and awarded grants of up to £5,000 each for projects for its Future Generations Fund to encourage young people to prepare skills for their future world of work, personal finances, finding employment, and living more sustainable lives.
Successful charities included Valleys Kids, Bullies Out, Autistic Minds LTD, Welsh Air Ambulance, Caerau Community Growers, and the award-winning Stephenson & George Centenary Charitable Trust in Merthyr.
The team at Stephenson & George will use the money to run two 10-week courses to help young people aged six-plus with their mental health, employability, financial skills such as budgeting, and becoming more aware of their local environment.
Helen Hughes Charity Coordinator at Stephenson & George said: “Our charity was awarded the Charity Awards Best Training and Education project in the UK and this partnership with Principality is another fantastic opportunity for the young people of Merthyr Tydfil to raise their aspirations and life chances. We will be working together to raise awareness, coping mechanisms and gain information to create a more resilient community for future generations to come.”
Vicky Wales, Chief Customer Officer at Principality said: “We are delighted to have made a long term commitment to help educate young people about finance and prepare them for the future for almost a decade, and building on this with the Future Generations Fund is one of the biggest social ventures we have ever undertaken as a business.
“Our view is that leading businesses in Wales such as ourselves should be at the forefront in helping create a much fairer and inclusive society. It is impossible to do this alone and that is why we are proud that we will be able to collaborate with lots of community groups across the country who are doing such great work to help young people who need it most.”
Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Wales said: “We are proud to be partnering with Principality, an organisation that shares our values and passion for strengthening communities in Wales.
“Community Foundation Wales has been building philanthropic support for communities and grass roots groups for over 20 years. In that time, we have worked with individual donors and businesses, and invested more than £30m into local Welsh communities.
“The Future Generations Fund is providing much-needed support for community groups and charities to have a positive impact on society and improve the lives of young people in Wales.”
