£20,000 available to support Hemel Hempstead community groups

CALA Homes has launched its Community Bursary initiative, with a share of £20,000 available to help support local charities and community groups in Hertfordshire

With the housebuilder’s 2020 bursary scheme paused last year as a result of the March lockdown, CALA is now pleased to be able to re-launch it, giving close consideration to groups whose situation and needs may have been impacted by the pandemic.

And with funding available to select areas where CALA has a presence, Hertfordshire’s charities and community groups are being encouraged to apply for a share.

Stala Thomson, sales and marketing director at CALA Homes Chiltern, said: “We launched our bursary as normal last year, but before we had the chance to choose the recipients, we were in lockdown and with the disruption which followed, were unable to progress with the next stage of the bursary.

“The pandemic has impacted our lives beyond what we could have imagined. As such, we understand that the funding requirements of local groups and charities may well have altered.

"By relaunching now, we can give previous applicants the chance to tell us how their needs have changed in light of Covid-19.

"And for those groups who either were not previously aware of our Community Bursary or didn’t need the support this time last year, we are offering them the opportunity to now also submit an application.”

Local charities, schools, community groups and good causes in the area are invited to apply for a share of the funding and the CALA team will reach out to everyone who applied in 2020 to encourage them to update their applications based on new needs and challenges.

Glenn Copper, sales and marketing director at CALA Homes North Home Counties, said: “A real priority at CALA is to make a positive and lasting contribution to the communities in which we build.

"That’s never been more relevant than now. We’re delighted to relaunch our bursary initiative in Hertfordshire, and especially to help causes that have been hit hard by the pandemic.

"We look forward to hearing about the great work being undertaken in the community and how we can support it.”

CALA’s Community Bursary is open to charities and community groups of all sizes. Those interested can apply for a share of the fund by completing an application form on the CALA website. Previous applicants should also reapply, applications close on Friday, April 16.