A DISABILITY charity in Taunton run by, and for, disabled people and carers has received a financial boost.
Compass Disability Services was handed £5,000 from Unity Trust Bank to further the charity’s work in delivering a range of accessible services to provide disabled adults with opportunities to socialise, look after their wellbeing, and live independently.
Unity Trust Bank launched their ‘Impact Grant’ programme earlier this year, which was created as part of the bank’s 40th birthday pledge to make over £40,000 in charitable donations in 2024.
Following its launch in September, the initiative received 146 entries from organisations across the UK.
Due to the strength of applications, Unity doubled its original promise and awarded grants to six organisations rather than three.
Compass Disability Services will use the money to purchase the equipment needed to deliver a new cookery skills workshop, teaching people to develop their life skills and independence.
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Each session will cover nutrition, food hygiene, equipment safety and various cooking techniques, enabling the students to gain confidence in preparing simple dishes independently.
The Compass Wellbeing Centre in Taunton includes a hydro-pool, a sensory room and community café with activities hosted throughout the week for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy.
Its ‘Compass Everyday’ programme supports adults with profound learning disabilities and/or autism to develop their skills, while the COGS is a social club that opens daily and provides activities for those with dementia, allowing their carers to enjoy time for respite.
Rachel Bye, business development manager at Compass Disability Services, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been chosen by the Unity Impact Grant Programme to receive a grant, especially as it’s the first year of the awards!
“Each week, we run five ‘Anything but Ordinary’ activities, including two fitness sessions, community cricket, a disco, and a music and movement session, for more than 100 disabled people, many of whom have profound and multiple learning disabilities and/or autism.
“Earlier this year, when we asked what additional opportunities people thought we needed to offer, they told us they would like something around cooking. Thanks to the support of the Unity Impact Grant Programme, we can now go ahead and launch the requested ‘Cooking with Confidence’ workshops in the New Year.
“We can’t wait to get started, knowing the impact this will have on those looking to develop their life skills and independence. It will also be a great opportunity to meet new people and, of course, have some fun!”
Steven Lovell, relationship manager at Unity Trust Bank, said: “It’s a privilege to highlight and support Compass Disability Services, which is delivering incredibly important work for its community.
“Not only is the charity empowering local people living with disabilities, but it is providing a space for their carers to enjoy some respite.
“The Cookery Skills Workshop is a fantastic addition that will make a real impact, and we are proud to be awarding this grant to support its launch.”
The five other successful recipients of the Unity Impact Grant are: Bee Wirral, Cumbria Action for Sustainability, Baby Basics Leicester, Harbour Ayrshire, and Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust.
Wider employee-driven fundraising activities at Unity Impact this year have raised £20,500 for 24 good causes across the UK, including organisations that have been chosen directly by staff.
The Impact Grant programme takes the total amount of charitable donations raised and donated by Unity to more than £50,500 – exceeding its 40th birthday goal.
Catherine Tierney, ‘Unity & Me’ grants and donations lead at Unity Trust Bank, said: “The response to the launch of our Impact Grant scheme has been overwhelming, and we’d like to thank all those who applied.
“We were incredibly impressed by the strength and breadth of applications, which is a fitting reflection of the vital community impact being delivered by socially-minded organisations all across the UK.”
Following the success of this year’s inaugural Unity Impact Grant, the bank has pledged to more than double the amount of grant funding available next year, as it establishes the scheme as a permanent annual initiative.
For more information about Compass Disability Services, visit their website.
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