Helping Communities

Utulivu Women’s Group, Reading

In Swahili, ‘Utulivu’ means patience, one of the values that the Utulivu Women’s group promotes. Launched in 2004, the group provides support for women and children, primarily from Kenya, who have moved to Berkshire. The group’s aim is to encourage integration into the wider community. Funding from the Foundation has enabled the group to hold a number of events, such as educational trips to London and healthy eating events to promote good health and well-being. Esther Oenga, co-ordinator for the group said:

“BCF are wonderful – it’s not just about the money we’ve received to get the group launched, they have given us some great advice too.” 

Fairclose Day Centre, Newbury

Fairclose Day Centre provides a thriving, friendly local point for anyone over retirement age in Newbury. A main focus of the centre is the provision of healthy, freshly prepared meals on a daily basis – both at the centre or delivered to people’s homes. Sue Kitchener, manager at Fairclose Day Centre said:

“Funding from BCF has helped us to upgrade the equipment in the kitchen. We needed some new units, repairs and upgrades to plumbing as well as a whole range of other requirements.”

Wrightchoice Community Sports Association, Reading

Wrightchoice is a charity whose aim is to help ethnic minority and underprivileged young people become more involved in their local community.  Wrightchoice provides more than just a chance to play team sports; it works with teenagers to give them better access to IT training to improve their job prospects, and offers healthy eating programmes and education. Sophia Corbin, a co-founder of Wrightchoice said:

“Without help from BCF we wouldn’t have been able to move forward as well as we have.”

Support Horizons, Wokingham

Support Horizons had a Global Grant to help start up a new community interest company. It is run by, and for, people with disabilities, providing temporary support workers for people with learning disabilities.  Tim Holland from Support Horizons said:

“We are pleased to be able to offer jobs in this exciting new venture. Support Horizons is committed to providing employment opportunities to local people with learning disabilities in all aspects of our business.”