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Cosyfeet Community Project Award
Supporting projects that enrich the lives of older people
Established in 2014, the Cosyfeet Community Project Award has supported a number of UK charities and not-for-profit organisations by giving a one-off donation to help projects which enrich the lives of older people.
The projects we have supported have provided practical and emotional help, kept older people active or given them a chance to meet up with others so they feel less isolated and more involved in their community.
The Cosyfeet Community Project Award offers a one-off donation of £750 to registered charities or not-for-profit organisations and clubs who are working on local projects within the UK that support and enrich the lives of older people.
There are 2 awards of £750 available – one for projects operating within Somerset (which is where Cosyfeet is based) and one for projects operating outside of the county.
We are particularly interested in projects that provide practical and emotional help, keep older people active or give them a chance to meet up with others- anything that may help older people feel less isolated and more involved in their community.
The Cosyfeet Community Project Award is now closed. As a result of the continued uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, we have made the decision to delay the award this year. Due to the complexities concerning data holding, we will not be keeping this year’s applications. Instead, we kindly ask that you reapply for the award when it reopens. Please look out for updates on our website in spring 2021.
Previous winners...
Winners of the 2019 Cosyfeet Community Award
The Geranium Trust is this year’s winner of the Cosyfeet Community Project Award for Somerset. This Yeovil based group offers friendship, support and opportunities to socialise for anyone facing bereavement and loneliness. Their new 'Friends in the Garden’ initiative will create a ½-acre allotment garden where those who spend too much time alone at home can come out to grow flowers and vegetables and make new friends. The £750 award money will be used to purchase tools, plants and fencing for the garden. Studies have shown that gardening can help to reduce feelings of depression, loneliness, anxiety and stress, fostering a sense of personal achievement for young and old alike.
Balby Community Allotments and Gardens Group is the proud winner of this year’s Cosyfeet Community Project Award. The £750 award will fund the purchase of Backsaver spades and wheelbarrows to help older gardeners in the group to continue to enjoy working their gardens. The South Yorkshire group has approximately 140 members, many of whom are tenants of the 72 allotments on the Balby site. An increasing number of members are aged over 80 and continue to grow fruit, flowers and vegetables as well as keeping chickens, ducks, geese, and pigeons. Involvement in the group is a passion, helping to keep them active and stay fit, as well as providing the opportunity to socialise with fellow gardeners.
Winners of the 2018 Cosyfeet Community Award
West Faversham Community Centre is the proud winner of this year’s Cosyfeet Community Project Award. The £750 award will fund the purchase of three Samsung Galaxy tablets, which local teenagers will use to teach older people how to communicate online. The aim of the project is to reduce the loneliness and isolation that older members of the community can experience by teaching them to use email and social media to stay connected. Local teenagers are keen to help by volunteering as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.
Street Men’s Shed is this year’s winner of the Cosyfeet Community Project Award for Somerset. The shed provides a meeting place for men to meet, communicate and create using the tools and equipment provided. Members use the Men’s Shed facilities for a diverse range of projects including making furniture and fencing as well as restoring objects such as grandfather clocks, vintage radios and fishing rods. There are currently 54 members, most of whom are men aged over 65, although membership is open to all. The £750 award will be used to purchase much-needed equipment such as a metal working lathe as well as other tools and materials.
Winners of the 2017 Cosyfeet Community Award
Swanage Disabled Club is the proud winner of this year’s Cosyfeet Community Award. The charity has won £500 to rent a beach hut on the sea front for a fortnight next summer, coinciding with the Swanage Carnival and Regatta. Watching the carnival from a beach hut is a highlight of the year for many of the club’s 30 members, most of whom would be housebound and isolated without the club’s assistance.
St. Margaret’s Hospice’s Sunflower Centre Day Hospice, in Taunton, is this year’s winner of the Cosyfeet Community Award for Somerset. The £500 award will help fund lunches for Day Hospice patients, which are provided free of charge. Expert chefs cook and serve almost anything that is requested by patients, and also make tailor made meals for those with allergies, food intolerances and problems eating solids.
Winners of the 2016 Cosyfeet Community Award
Suffolk Disabled Anglers’ Forum are the proud winner of this year’s Cosyfeet Community Award 2016. The charity has won £500 towards the cost of equipment and bait. Known as the SDAF, the charity provides the opportunity for people with disabilities to gain access to angling, and runs sessions at Woody’s Lake, Barking Tye from May to October. Volunteer helpers and angling coaches provide all the necessary skills, experience and knowledge to help disabled people to enjoy coarse fishing.
YAMA, an over 60s dance performance company based in Bath, is this year’s winner of the Cosyfeet Community Award for Somerset. The £500 award will be used to help fund transport to dance events around the country. YAMA Dance attracts a range of members in their 60s and 70s who either danced in their youth or who are learning to dance for the first time. This highly successful group was established to fill an opportunity gap for mature dancers.
Winners of the 2015 Cosyfeet Community Award
Regenerate-RISE are the winners of our national award. They aim to eradicate loneliness and isolation among older people. They plan to use the £500 towards their ‘Dream Wall’ initiative. Clients can write their ‘dream’ on the ‘Dream Wall’ and the charity does its best to fulfil it. Past ‘dreams’ have included a visit to the cinema, a shopping trip and a horse riding lesson.
The Golden-Oldies Charity are the winners of our local award. They organise daytime sing-along and activity sessions for older and vulnerable people living in social isolation. The £500 award will enable them to continue to run sessions in Street and Shepton Mallet, covering the cost of session leaders and venue hire.
Winners of the 2014 Cosyfeet Community Award
Priory Knit Wits won last year’s national award. Based in Newton Stewart, the group meets every week for a chat, a cuppa and to knit for a host of good causes at home and abroad.
Shipham Active Living won the local award. The group offers a varied programme to older people in the community. Activities include cooking for one, exercise classes, card making and willow weaving.