Marsden Building Society awards £30,000 to support Lancashire communities

Eleven Lancashire causes have been awarded over £30,000 in grants from the Marsden Building Society Charitable Foundation.

Now in its fourth year, the Foundation was established to provide financial support to groups and projects aligned with one of the Marsden’s three key themes: financial well-being, social inclusion, and the environment.

This year’s funding will support a range of impactful community initiatives:

• Poulton in Bloom will use the funding to raise the profile of the group by purchasing banners and flags for community events, planting a Dig for Victory bed in the Market Place, adding new items to The Remembrance Museum, and creating a permanent growing space within the community garden polytunnel.
• TramShed Theatre will deliver a new pilot project, ‘Jingle All the Way’, featuring 24 weekly inclusive workshops for adults aged 50 and over in Blackpool. The project will include a Christmas Party Celebration Evening, showcasing participants’ newly acquired skills and boosting confidence through creative sign language.
• Age UK Lancashire will use the grant to support room hire and Community Engagement Manager costs, as well as helping to sustain and further develop its recently established drop-in information hub in Garstang.
• BOOST Wellbeing CIC will deliver weekly yoga sessions in Barnoldswick and Colne for people aged 50 and over, improving physical and mental well-being while helping to reduce loneliness and isolation.
• Canal & River Trust will design, print and launch a family-friendly canal trail, complete with an easy-to-follow map encouraging people to explore local green spaces and wildlife in Burnley.
• Colne Citadel will use the funding to cover staff costs, enabling it to continue providing a safe and inclusive space where people of all ages and backgrounds can access support, build relationships and feel a sense of belonging.
• Concord Connections CIC will deliver a community-based project in Burnley, offering money management and digital confidence workshops for people aged 50 and over. The programme will focus on practical, accessible learning to help participants better manage their finances, understand financial commitments and build confidence using digital tools.
• Female Friendship Forum will deliver a varied programme of activities in Nelson designed to support women’s physical, emotional and social well-being in a safe, culturally sensitive and confidence-building environment.
• Fleetwood Town Community Trust will provide a six-week financial literacy programme for Year 6 pupils across several local primary schools, combining sport with theory-based financial education.
• Heartbeat Northwest Cardiac Care will provide 14 weeks of cardiac rehabilitation exercise classes in Lytham and St Annes, where demand for the service has grown significantly.
• Layton Methodist Church will enhance its existing ‘Wholesome Wednesdays’ by developing a structured over-50s ‘Social & Skills Hub’ and introducing a new, accessible ‘Film Club’. Their aim is to reduce poverty, isolation and poor well-being in Blackpool, through inclusive and practical support.

The Charitable Foundation funds are managed by the Community Foundation for Lancashire, which works closely with organisations to help ensure their charitable donations have the greatest impact where they’re most needed.

Rob Pheasey, Chief Executive at Marsden Building Society, commented: “Our communities are what make Lancashire such a great place to live and work, which is why we're committed to supporting projects that help people thrive. The organisations receiving funding this year are delivering important work, from tackling isolation and improving well-being to building financial confidence and protecting local environments. We're proud that our Charitable Foundation can play a part in helping them achieve even more.”

Kelly Court, Programmes Manager at the Community Foundation for Lancashire, added: “Partnering with Marsden Building Society to support local organisations to deliver a vast range of activities, opportunities and vital services for the benefit of their communities continues to be inspiring and rewarding, and there is no doubt that those awarded by the Foundation this year will have a real positive impact across Lancashire.”

Since its launch, the Marsden Building Society Charitable Foundation has donated more than £120,000 to charitable causes across Lancashire.