Community Investment
Supporting our Communities
Friends of Muir Group support a diverse range of projects
and initiatives. We realise that it is important
to contribute towards initiatives
that benefit the wider community, and focus on projects that deliver a real positive
impact that benefit in particular; young people, older people and communities.
Investing into our communities has proved to be of major benefit in terms of supporting
projects that might otherwise struggle to continue.
Young People
Friends of Muir are aware of the many challenges facing young people today,
and actively support activities that: give young people a voice; create opportunities through sport and play; access information or learning; or raise awareness.
The Dream Scheme is designed to get young people to think about how they can improve the lives of others within their community through small local initiatives. This
scheme has proven to be extremely successful within some of our regions and has
been adapted at local levels to fit in with specific issues affecting young people
in the areas where it has been launched.
Older People
Friends of Muir Group have support older people in a variety of ways such as through
gardening projects, provision of computers and training on information technology,
and communal projects. In particular we support social activities that prevent isolation
and loneliness, encourage physical activity and provide an outlet for people who
are restricted through physical disability or lack of family support.
Credit Unions
Credit Unions give access to low cost loans for people who are unable to access
mainstream financial services, and would otherwise turn to high interest rate schemes.
It helps to avoid increasing and spiralling debt for people who may have turned
to less reputable loan companies who operate a daily rate interest basis.
Savings plans are encouraged which help to sustain the financial status for individual
families and prevent debt. We have injected major funding by giving start up grants
to credit unions wishing to set up within a new area of operation.
Communities
Friends of Muir realise that every community is unique, that they have different
strengths and needs, and may want to focus on particular issues or activities.
Diversity Forums
We have funded a collective set of initiatives that face and contribute to issues
surrounding equality and diversity, demonstrating how we commit to communities within
our regions on an ongoing basis.
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Projects that address multiple issues within our communities
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Forming relationships with partner agencies that regularly engage with the wider
community via the arts, youth schemes and community focus projects.
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Arts awareness programmes and cultural diversity projects have been of major benefit
throughout our areas, providing various methods of appreciation and understanding
of the arts and issues facing today’s multi cultural society.
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Diversity Forums that regularly tackle discrimination and promote cultural awareness.
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Events designed to bring together different cultures through a fun environment such
as belly dancing, boxing, Thai cooking, African drumming, Brazilian salsa and sari
demonstrations.
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Appreciation of art itself has offered an insight into the wide spectrum of arts
projects and careers available to young people
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Creating diversions for people to become involved in productive challenges steering
them away from crime and anti social behaviour
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Reaching out to rural communities, including those who wouldn’t usually benefit
from these experiences.
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Staging community events and awareness days to highlight cultural diversity to
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Friends of Muir Group are keen to support initiatives that address current problems
in relation to race, sex gender, religion and cultural diversity.
Community Centre Activities
Friends of Muir Group realise that the survival of community groups is dependent
on funding. We contribute to worthwhile schemes that provide valuable resources within our communities, such as play schemes, mother and toddler groups, social
activities for the elderly, youth groups, young peoples activities and community
centre survival costs.
Helping Voluntary Organisations
Friends of Muir Group are committed to providing assistance to voluntary organisations
that provide valuable services for our communities. Volunteer programmes who try
to make small differences, such as visiting the elderly or environmental litter
picking projects; and also national volunteer organisations such as Home Start who
offer support to families in stress, helping to prevent family crisis and breakdown.
