WE were delighted to be awarded £105k by the Coronavirus Community Support Fund, distributed by the National Lottery Community Fund. The grant will help us adapt our community hub, Foundation House, in response to some of the issues created by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Foundation House had to close its doors to the public and to its licence holders in March when the country went into lockdown. It has now opened in a limited capacity with strict safety measures in place. The lottery funding will enable a larger open-plan space to be created, ensuring groups can socially distance. There are also plans in place to increase the health and wellbeing of its users, including the creation of a small garden.
Stratford Town Trust Chief Executive, Sara Aspley said: “Since it opened in 2018, Foundation House has become a vital resource for many in our community. This funding means we can continue to provide a space that is welcoming and most importantly safe. It also enables us to extend our licence agreements with our existing tenants, giving them the security to keep operating during this difficult time.”
Foundation House is the permanent home of a number of local charities and community groups including Safeline, Men’s Shed, Welcombe Radio, Change Grow Live and Shakespeare Lions. Throughout 2019, Foundation House held monthly community cafes, its first ever Fun Palace and two eco-markets. It also provides meeting space for one off or regular meetings for local community groups to use. To find out about booking a space at Foundation House, contact: admin@foundationhouse.co.uk