NatWest Cymru donates £100,000 to ‘Our Communities Together – a cost of living crisis appeal’

A cost of living crisis appeal, set up to support voluntary sector organisations across Wales, has received a £100,000 donation from NatWest Cymru.

In partnership with Newsquest, Our Communities Together – a cost of living crisis appeal was launched to support grass roots voluntary organisations struggling to cover rising costs and meet higher levels of demand.

Voluntary sector organisations are often the glue that holds communities together, providing continued support where statutory services stop and being flexible and adaptable to the ever-changing needs of local people.

They help some of the most vulnerable people in our communities and the cost of living crisis is putting them at risk to make ends meet and continue providing vital services.

The Our Communities Together – a cost of living crisis appeal will provide grants of up to £5,000 to groups providing services and activities that will make a difference to local families and individuals facing crisis and hardship.

The appeal has received support from the public, Welsh Government and Welsh businesses such as Wind2, Welsh Water and, most recently, NatWest Cymru with their donation of £100,000.

Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Wales said:

“This generous donation from NatWest Cymru will go towards helping grassroots community groups to keep providing important services to their local communities.

We hope that this show of support from NatWest Cymru will encourage more people to get involved and support community groups to keep going during this difficult time.

The grants from this appeal will go a long way to ensuring that voluntary organisations across Wales are able to support those most in need now, and in the difficult months to come.”

Jessica Shipman, Chair of the NatWest Cymru Board said:

“We are a bank driven by our purpose and values, and right now that is to help our colleagues, customers and the communities they live in through the challenges faced with cost of living.

By working together with Community Foundation Wales and Newsquest as part of the Our Communities Together campaign, we have a real opportunity to make a positive difference to the lives of those who need help in our communities throughout Wales

This isn’t just a donation that the NatWest Cymru Board has made; our commitment as part of this campaign and NatWest’s wider cost of living help is to provide support where it is needed most.”

Newsquest Wales regional editor Gavin Thompson said:

“Thank you to the NatWest Cymru board for supporting Our Communities Together.

Organisations across Wales can now apply for grants to support cost of living projects from the Our Communities Together fund.

Please help us get the word out, so that this generous donation from NatWest Cymru and others already made, reach the people who need them through the fantastic local charities and community organisations who support them.”

To make the most out of each donation, donations up to £25,000 from individuals can be matched, matching every £1 donated with an additional £1.

Thanks to Steve Morgan Foundation, The Waterloo Foundation and Moondance Foundation, Welsh businesses can also make their donation go further with match funding.

You can donate to the Our Communities Together – a cost of living crisis appeal here.

The Our Communities Together – a cost of living crisis fund is now open to applications from groups providing services and activities that will make a huge difference to local families and individuals facing crisis and hardship.

You can apply here.