News

London Rebuilding Society SHIMMER 5 million households in the UK live in fuel poverty; this is forecast to increase thanks to rising energy prices, an ageing population, and increasing pressures on household incomes. SHIMMER  (Smart Homes Integrating Meters Money Energy Research), a smart home energy pilot, brings vulnerable and fuel-poor households energy management and income [...]

The Isle of Wight Opportunity Society The Isle of Wight Lottery is the first lottery in England to be developed specifically to create employment opportunities and has around 5000 regular players. Lottery proceeds fund a weekly £2500 prize pot and the Isle of Wight Lottery Loan Fund, providing interest free loans to local small and [...]

GLE oneLondon GLE oneLondon was a key delivery partner in a Royal British Legion project supporting ex-military personnel to plan, fund, start or grow their own small businesses. Successful funding applicants receive business mentoring too. The nationwide coverage of the project required GLE oneLondon to provide services beyond its traditional operating area of London only. [...]

Lancashire Community Finance Avoid the Loansharks roadshow For many people needing an emergency loan, expensive doorstep lenders charging upwards of 500% APR are the only option. Over 3,300 households in Lancashire are being threatened for millions of pounds by loan sharks. With residents in the deprived inner city neighbourhoods of Preston being especially vulnerable, Lancashire [...]

UCIT (Ulster Community Investment Trust) Strong leadership, careful planning, and diplomacy. Whilst the first 2 are common qualities to most successful community finance initiatives, few others would require the levels of tact and sensitivity to cultural differences involved in the success of UCIT’s project. And succeed it did: this ambitious vision for cross border expansion [...]

Northern Pinetree Trust Northern Pinetree Trust provides business and enterprise support to people with a range of disabilities for whom mainstream provision is either inappropriate or unavailable. After a 360 degree review, Trustees identified the need to broaden its income base and to respond to the potential withdrawal of Business Link and RDA funding. Trustees [...]