The University of Derby’s Community Fund awards over £7,000 to local causes

The University of Derby’s Community Fund has awarded over £7,000 to local organisations in the first round of the academic 2018/19 year, with over £65,500 awarded in total.

Many organisations have benefited from the University’s Community Fund, ranging from early years providers and local charities to musical groups and family support programmes.

Tegan’s Butterflies in Paradise and Kakou CIC were just two of the recent organisations to benefit from the programme.

Kakou CIC, who are based at the University’s Innovation Centre at its St. Helena campus in Chesterfield, received over £1,500 to support the design of an inclusive musical instrument that can be used in diverse musical group environments.

Ann Fomukong-Boden, Co-Founder and Director of Kakou CIC, said: "We are working with Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice to design a new electronic musical instrument to be used within their musical therapy sessions.

“This funding will support our prototyping activities, allowing us to produce a bespoke instrument that can be used in an inclusive environment allowing groups and families to create together.”

Other projects that have benefited from the funding this year include:

• Derbyshire based refuge project, £2,030: To support the funding of activities for families in the refuge, including gardening equipment and outdoor toys.
• Connex Community Support, Buxton, £1,060: To support the cost of minibus hire and meal expenses, helping to combat social isolation in the elderly in the Peak District.
• YMCA Derbyshire, Derby, £2,000: To support the funding of health and wellbeing diversionary activities in YMCA Key College.
• Kevin Paul Holdgate Music Services, Derby, £500: To support programme, Dust it Off – encouraging adults to start playing musical instruments again.
• Tegan’s Butterflies in Paradise, Derby, £350: To support the purchase of a shed, used for outdoor resource storage for messy play and crafts for children with special education needs and their siblings.

Hannah Hallam, Development and Alumni Relations Manager, said: “The Community Fund extends the University’s impact to our neighbouring communities where many of our students live, work and study.

“We hope that the funding provides a kick-start to small projects that can open doors and make a big difference to those who need it most. It is also an opportunity for projects and organisations to benefit from student volunteer support and access additional guidance from our staff expertise.”

The Community Fund supports the area of Derbyshire, including Derby, Buxton and Chesterfield. The deadline for applications for the next round of the Community Fund is Sunday 9 June 2019.