Projects which will benefit from the grant include humanitarian group Portsmouth City of Sanctuary and Gosport based Community Interest Company Bridge to Unity, which has delivered supplies to Ukraine across the Polish border as well as supporting refugees in the UK.
Bridge to Unity will receive £3,000 to cover ‘costs of jobs fairs and social events linking around 75 Ukrainians to jobs and people in Gosport.’
Director Alexandra Kenchington said: ‘Since the start of the war in Ukraine Bridge to Unity has been active in assisting those on the ground in Ukraine and also in welcoming to the UK those fleeing the war. The support from HIWCF and the Freemasons’ charity is going to enable us to continue this work and ensure refugees feel welcomed and supported.
‘The funding will enable us to host events within the community that provide a forum for meeting others, whilst also providing support with employment, education and other practicalities that all those arriving to the UK as refugees face. It will also enable us to launch a service that connects refugees with individual volunteers to ensure integration into the community and offer hands-on support for everyone that needs it.
‘At Bridge to Unity we are committed to bringing the local community together through projects and events and this funding will directly support that.’
The UK Community Foundations network supports grassroots projects across the nation and was recently given a £500,000 grant by the Freemasons’ charity which…