Category: Awards

A project established in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent to utilise bamboo to bring together communities has been given a boost by the RJS Foundation, who have given Brilliant Bamboo a grant to purchase equipment to support their work.
Brilliant Bamboo was established in 2023, growing out of the work done by cultural organisations and community groups in the city and alongside national projects, with a community interest company now taking the initiative forward.

They have established a small brownfield base in Stoke town, where not only is the bamboo being grown, but team building work and community events are also held. The continuation of this through vital equipment is part of the RJS Foundation contribution.

The RJS Foundation’s chair, Abi Brown OBE, recently met with founder Gemma Thomas to visit their site and see what Brilliant Bamboo is all about.

“The Brilliant Bamboo CIC is such a fascinating group. Whoever knew that bamboo could be so versatile, and used in so many ways – it’s a sustainable alternative wood, removes carbon and other gases from the atmosphere, and is clearly flourishing in this little corner of Stoke-on-Trent!

Hearing about the past projects and plans for the future is really inspiring, and it’s great to see their ‘parklet’ utilising the former factory site for something positive in the local community,” said Abi.
“The simplicity of the idea, the engagement with local people plus opportunities for team building really made this project stand out for us at the RJS Foundation.

Gemma and colleagues have worked so hard to establish something really special and it’s our pleasure to support them with growth that ambition. We’d love to receive more applications from local groups and further information can be found on our website at http://www.rjs-foundation.com.”

The Trentham Scouts Group are a deserving not-for-profit group that recently received a grant from the RJS Foundation.

 

On Friday, Jack Brereton MP, RJS Foundation Board member and Catharine Gill, Business Development Administrator from RJS Solicitors, visited the @Trentham Scouts Group to see the newly created ‘Jubilee Garden’, which has been constructed partly due to the grant award made by the RJS Foundation.

 

They met with Phil Marks – Group Scout Leader, Esther Harrison-Cloke – Group Chair, Sarah Crane – Parent Representative, Mike Rochelle – Health and Safety co-ordinator and Kev Hodgkinson – Assistant Scout Leader and Quartermaster.

 

The improved outdoor space has created a lovely peaceful area where people can relax and meet friends. There are plans to buy more plants which the Scouts, Beavers and Cubs will help plant.

George, Sam, Seb and Luke were keen to share with Jack and Catharine what they have planted and also what they have planned for the garden long term.

 

Trentham Scouts has 90 members and is thriving to the point where they have a waiting list. They are always looking for adult volunteers to help to support the club and to allow more children to join. No experience or Scouting background is required, just the capacity to spend a few hours a week helping young people to acquire life skills. If you would be interested in helping, please email info@trenthamscouts.org.uk

 

The Club House is used by several local groups and can also be hired for private parties.

 

Please follow this link for more information about Trentham Scouts: https://trenthamscouts.org.uk/

 

The Gingerbread Centre was one of the lucky local not-for-profit organisations that recently received a grant from the RJS Foundation.

Last Friday, board members of the @RJS Foundation, which included @Jack Brereton MP, @Rachel Kelsall Councillor, and RJS solicitor @Elliott Hodge, visited the Gingerbread Centre to meet with Chris Belyavin, one of the Gingerbread fundraisers, to see how their grant had benefited them.

The grant was used to purchase a much-needed television with built in DVD player for their Activity Club, so the children of the families supported by the Gingerbread Centre would have improved facilities and the opportunity to learn and play using this medium.

The staff said that the improved facilities had a very positive impact on those attending Activity Club and that the grant was very much appreciated by those families being supported by the Gingerbread Centre.

The Gingerbread Centre supports vulnerable, homeless families or those families at risk of becoming homeless. To find out more about this deserving organisation, please follow this link: http://bit.ly/3Z5rMNK

For more information about the RJS Foundation, please follow this link: http://bit.ly/3XRzFVF

 

If you have any questions about the RJS Foundation or our application process, please email us on foundation@rjssolicitors.com

Trentham Boat Club celebrates after receiving grant from the RJS Foundation for education project.

A local boat club is celebrating after being awarded a grant by the RJS Foundation to support its Wet Start Program.

Trentham Boat Club received a grant of £500 towards their Wet Start Program. The Wet Start Program gives children from local school years 8 to 13 (aged 13-18) the opportunity to try out rowing both on water and on land at the Trentham Estate. Mental health and physical health are a concern for everyone, and this project will promote the importance of maintaining a healthy body through regular exercise and routine, as well as building community and life skills such as teamwork, determination and resilience.

The project is designed to open up the Boat Club and break down stigma that rowing is an elite sport, by welcoming everyone to Trentham! The project allows local schools to build links with the Boat Club and engage in physical activity in a fantastic outdoor environment. Representatives from the ‘Junior Section’ of the Club will be visiting local schools to encourage and highlight the major benefits of indoor and outdoor rowing and to allow increased numbers of children to have an opportunity to row. The number of young people joining the Boat Club has dropped dramatically due to Covid-19. The funding will help the Club to reverse this decline by offering state of the art equipment in a safe and enjoyable surrounding.

The grant has contributed to the purchase of four dynamic ‘RP3’ rowing machines. These machines simulate the movement of a boat in the water and will further enhance the facilities offered by the Boat Club to its users.

With equipment like the ‘RP3’, the Boat Club can help the athletes to reach their full potential and assist with their preparation during the winter months when it is much more difficult to get out on the water. Recent success at the Boat Club includes Trentham Boat Club Junior, Meg Knight, who won the World Rowing Indoor Championships Under 19s at just 16 years old in 2021, taking home a gold medal!

Sarah Whelehan, Parent Representative Director of Trentham Boat Club, said: “The RJS grant has helped to fund rowing equipment which means we can widen our scope and encourage more beginners and overall become more inclusive.

At Trentham Boat Club Juniors we aim to deliver rowing for all, through our grassroots program we encourage local young people within our community to develop life skills such as teamwork, building confidence and resilience. Our junior coaches have a strong focus on general well-being and looking after our bodies through good nutrition and exercise which has positive mental and physical benefits.”

If you or your child would like to get involved with the great sport of rowing head over to https://www.trenthamboatclub.co.uk/ to find out more.

To find out more about our latest project stories, and to see if your organisation could be eligible for an RJS Foundation grant award, please visit www.rjs-foundation.com

A local cricket club is celebrating after being awarded a grant by the RJS Foundation to buy a clickplay roll on pitch for the under 8’s team. Wedgwood Cricket Club is celebrating after being awarded £500 to buy a clickplay roll on pitch which will be invaluable for the development of the younger Cricketers in the Under 8’s age bracket.

Wedgwood Cricket Club, was established in 1942 and runs training events and teams for adults and young children in Stoke-on-Trent South. The junior section of Wedgwood cricket club, runs weekly cricket training sessions for up to 150 children from Stoke South and the surrounding areas throughout the summer. They also run 4 junior teams across multiple age groups.

Member from Wedgwood Cricket Club, Gareth Copeland, commented “ Just a quick note to thank you and the team over at the RJS foundation. The money will go towards a clickplay roll on pitch which will be invaluable for the development of our younger Cricketers in the Under 8’s age bracket. We’ve seen massive growth in this age group in particular and the new equipment will help us to cope with the demand.”

“We very much appreciate the support!”

If you or your child would like to get involved with the great sport of Cricket, head over to Wedgwood’s Facebook page to find out more.

Find out more about our latest project stories, and to see if you could be eligible for an RJS Foundation grant award: www-rjs-foundation.com. 

RJS Foundation is pleased to announce its awards following the second round of applications!

Beth Johnson Foundation is celebrating after being awarded £500 for their BJF Accessible Community Meeting Room.

Oulton School PTFA is celebrating after being awarded £477.59 for their nature area for wellbeing.

Trentham Brass Band is celebrating after being awarded £500 for the upgrading of 3 Timpani drums.

Wedgwood Cricket Club Junior Section is celebrating after being awarded £500 for an artificial 2G pitch.

To apply for the RJS Foundation, please read our Grant Guidelines carefully to see if you are eligible for a grant award.

Click here to apply.

Application window closes on 29th October 2021.