Care support organisation earns £20,000 funding boost

Grace Cares, a Lichfield-based non-profit that supports older people and care workers, has received a welcome funding boost.

The organisation received an award worth £20,000 from the Aviva Broker Community Fund, thanks to a nomination from Tamworth-based Prizm Solutions.

Grace Cares is a not-for-profit organisation that supports older people, their families and care workers across the UK.

They collect, donate, and sell pre-loved care equipment to enhance people’s quality of life and keep it from going to landfill.

All profits go back into supporting care workers and older people in need, in the form of one-off grants.

Matthew Small, director at Prizm Solutions, volunteers with Grace Cares and nominated them for the Aviva Broker Community Fund.

Hannah Montgomery, co-founder of Grace Cares said: “We’re overwhelmed to receive the top award. We believe that good social care is fundamental for our country, and we’re super proud of the positive impact we are having already for older people, care workers AND the planet.

“This money will make a huge difference to what we can achieve as a small non-profit. Thank you to Prizm Solutions for the nomination, and to the Aviva Broker Community Fund for choosing Grace Cares from the many good causes who applied. We’re beyond delighted.”

Aviva Broker Community Fund supports causes that actively make a difference at a local level. This year’s judging panel were looking for nominations in two key areas:

• Environment Action – helping communities to become more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
• Financial Wellbeing – helping communities to cope in the face of financial difficulty.

The work of Grace Cares was recognised for its impact in both Environmental Action and Financial Wellbeing. They were selected as one of only five good causes to win the Top Award worth £20,000.

The award came just days after Grace Cares picked up three more accolades:

• Best Sustainable Business – Lichfield District Council Beacon Awards
• Community Hero – Lichfield District Council Beacon Awards
• Suppliers of Products and Services – Care Talk Magazine Social Care Premier Supplier Awards

Aviva Broker UK shared a total prize pot of £300,000 across 65 non-profits. Awards started from £500, and they received over 160 applications for funding.

Pictured: Founders of Grace Cares, Hannah Montgomery and Emma Smith, accepting their £20,000 award at the Aviva Broker Community Fund ceremony at the Honourable Artillery Company, London. They were joined at the event by Matthew Small from Prizm Solutions