COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITY FUND NETWORKING EVENT BRINGS LOCAL ORGANISATIONS TOGETHER
Community Opportunity Fund Networking Event Brings Local Organisations Together
On Tuesday 30th September, the Trustees of the Samworth Brothers Community Opportunity Fund welcomed organisations from across the East Midlands to a special networking event at Leicester Tigers Stadium.
The evening brought together past and present grant recipients – community groups, charities and local clubs – for an opportunity to connect, share stories and celebrate the impact of their work. Guests also enjoyed sporting demonstrations from recent Fund recipients, including Gilmorton Youth Cricket Club, Loughborough Greenfields Cricket Club, and Kegworth Bowls Club, alongside Leicester City in the Community, who partner closely with Samworth Brothers on a range of local initiatives.
Throughout the evening, guests heard from several speakers:
- Stuart, Manager at Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre, shared how the Centre provides adventurous activities that build confidence and motivation in young people. The organisation has received three awards from the Fund since 2019.
- Annette, Co-Founder and Trustee of the Communities Food & Wellbeing Hub, discussed their nature-based nutrition, health and wellbeing project, which recently received funding to support young people across Leicester and Leicestershire.
- Karl Brown, Head Coach of the Leicester Warriors Basketball Club, reflected on how the Fund has supported their work over many years, being the first organisation to receive a grant, helping to engage and inspire young people through sport.
The evening was a fantastic opportunity to make new connections and share learnings with others working to make a difference.
“We just wanted to again say a huge thank you to you and the Trustees for such a lovely event last night. The atmosphere was absolutely buzzing, the food was lovely, and it was wonderful to have the opportunity to connect with other groups who are working hard to support our local communities.” – Adele Stacey, Raising Health, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust.
Since its creation in 2013, the Community Opportunity Fund has awarded over £2.8 million to community groups and charities across the UK.
Thank you to everyone who joined us at Leicester Tigers Stadium, and to all those who continue to make such a positive difference in their communities every day.
Find out more about the Community Opportunity Fund and how to apply for support here!