Laying the foundations for lasting change
Developing powerful collaborations, addressing key local issues and generating significant long-term economic and social value.
When Henry Boot set out its objectives for supporting the communities it works with, the land, property and development specialist chose South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF) to help realise its vision.
A shared passion for making a local difference is one of the reasons Sheffield-based Henry Boot teamed up with SYCF in a partnership which has gone from strength to strength over the last few years. You can read more about the company’s local impact here.
Now a key member of our South Yorkshire Giving Network (SYGN), Henry Boot directly funds community groups across the region though two exclusive SYGN funds - the Giving Network Distribution Fund and the Giving Network Endowment Fund.
The company’s involvement with SYCF has created an immediate and long-term positive impact. Here are just some of the projects which have benefitted from Henry Boot’s support.
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Share Psychotherapy
Henry Boot investment: £5,000
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Ex-Services Home Mess
Henry Boot investment: £1,500
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Disability Sheffield
Henry Boot investment: £1,500
Share Psychotherapy, Sheffield
Henry Boot investment: £5,000
Project overview:
Share Psychotherapy, based at Paradise Square, provides low-cost, long-term therapy to individuals who can’t afford mental health support. With a team of more than 35 volunteer therapists, they work with clients for up to two years to address the underlying causes of mental health issues.
Funding impact:
The funding supported the retention and extension of its senior Therapist for 12 months to provide 1-to-1 therapy, assessments, supervision, and advocacy work.
The therapist works with complex clients and leads a project investigating user-engagement and client feedback. Stability within this critical role has been a lifeline to the service.
Ex-Services Home Mess, Sheffield
Henry Boot investment: £1,500
Project overview:
Armed forces charity, Ex-Services Home Mess, supports and advises the Veteran Community living in the S postcodes. This is achieved through newsletter, monthly 'Mess' meetings at Farm Road Sports and Social Club, personal visits to clients with problems and a gardening service for qualifying veterans.
The project welcomes provides a comfortable meeting place and source of information for all ex-service associations and personnel.
Funding impact:
Green spaces are a place of quiet contemplation for many veterans. However, due to an inability to tend to their garden, these therapeutic spaces are often overgrown and chaotic.
The funding was used to hire a gardening contractor to create a well-maintained personal area where the veteran community can reflect and relax.
This investment has helped to reduce stress and anxiety, not only for themselves, but close family.
Armed forces charity, Ex-Services Home Mess, supports and advises the Veteran Community
Green spaces are a place of quiet contemplation for many veterans.
Disability Sheffield
Henry Boot investment: £1,500
Project overview:
Disability Sheffield is a fully inclusive pan-disability organisation managed by disabled people. It promotes independent living by supporting disabled people across Sheffield.
The group’s vision is for the Sheffield City Region to be a place where disabled people have freedom, equality and independence and as much control over their own lives as they wish to have. All projects have been developed as a response to needs identified by disabled people, are co-designed and co-delivered by disabled people.
Funding impact:
Funding was used to support an online creative writing workshop: 'The Magic Pen' targeted towards people with learning disabilities and Autism with the aim of providing different ways for people to tell their stories and have a voice, boosting overall confidence and wellbeing.
With the fund increasing the organisation’s capacity to support the community, the group created an anthology of the workshop participants’ work and held spoken word evenings to celebrate the creativity of people with learning disabilities.
Extracts from poems created at The Magic Pen workshop
Joining the South Yorkshire Giving Network, gives access to exclusive networking events, the chance to forge strong relationships with like-minded supporters and fund numerous community groups within Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and Sheffield.
As the largest grant giving charity within South Yorkshire with over 37 years’ experience, we are trusted and respected experts in our field. We match the passions and values of donors with projects and initiatives that meet local needs in the communities they work in.
For more information visit our SYGN page.
Meet Michelle
Michelle supports our Strategic Plan through philanthropy. This includes the development of long-term strategic relationships to secure and distribute income against agreed targets. She is also responsible for of our Fund Development Strategy and SYCF's Grant Strategy.
Her working days are Monday to Friday.
Michelle Dickinson
Head of Philanthropy and Programmes
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