Staff from a Shropshire insurance brokers are backing a Shrewsbury project that will support homeless and vulnerable people.
The team from Henshalls in Shrewsbury and Newport has applied to the Aviva Broker Community Fund in a bid to secure £10,000 for The Shrewsbury Ark.
Every year, insurance giant Aviva opens up the fund to give brokers the chance to win funding for local charities and good causes in their own community. There’s a £300,000 funding pot available, and brokers are urged to apply on behalf of a project that’s important to their local area.
Dave Williams, for Henshalls, said: “We have a long-held reputation for working to support local organisations and causes, and the Aviva Community Fund is a fantastic opportunity for us to help an initiative that really will change lives.
“The Shrewsbury Ark is a day centre in the heart of Shrewsbury that offers facilities and ongoing support to homeless and vulnerable people, and they need help to transform the former Rock & Fountain pub into a warm and welcoming space.
“The new premises will enable the team to grow thanks to the extra space, and they will be able to offer vital support services such as medical clinics, counselling sessions, training and activity areas.
“We’re hoping that our application for The Shrewsbury Ark in this year’s Aviva funding competition will be successful – it would be great to be able to secure the financial backing to help the team deliver their ambitious plans.”
The Shrewsbury Ark is run by registered charity The Shrewsbury Christian Centre Association, and it has been based in Castle Foregate since 2008 in council-owned premises. But they have outgrown the building and so the charity raised funds to purchase the former Rock & Fountain pub just down the road.
Mike Matthews, a trustee of the charity, said: “It’s a historical time for us as it’s the first time in our 49-year history that we have owned our own premises. But now we need funds to carry out a complete refurbishment of the building – everything from rewiring and complying with fire and other health and safety regulations, to installing a kitchen, showers, laundry facilities and new flooring.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the Henshalls team for nominating us for the Aviva funding, and now we’re hoping we’re able to secure a generous donation that really will make a huge difference.”
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