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Sustainable communities programme

We directly invest around £1.4 million each year. We invest through a combination of charitable grants and community development advice and support via local community groups and charities. We aim for our investment to be led by our customers and communities. This helps us to contribute in a sustainable way, by helping people to realise their aspirations and by building local capacity for communities to drive change for themselves.

Two women standing in a kitchen in a professional kitchen. The UN icons for 'No Poverty' and 'Good health and well-being' are overlayed on top

Within our communities are local teams who support people to grow relationships, increase their connections with others, know their community - and feel part of it. We welcome projects and partnerships that are community-led, sustainable and build on the passions and skills of local people.

Beyond our direct investment, we work with our construction partners, supply chain and external funders to secure additional investment for our communities.

You can find out more in our Community Investment Strategy or contact community@sanctuary.co.uk

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Our Community Investment Strategy

We know that building strong communities is as important as providing a home. We want to help build resilience and connection with our customers and their communities.

Our objective is to support the development of successful and sustainable communities in the areas where we operate.

Read our Community Investment strategy
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Partnerships and projects in action

We support a range of local projects in our communities, working with trusted local partners and customers to drive sustainable, long-term change.

Year at a glance 2024/25

The Investment

£3.1m

charitable investment in our customers and their communities

252

employee volunteers - 1,661 hours

£1.8m

contributions by suppliers and external funders

£674,018

supplier social value contributions

The Reach

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Community

150

community groups supported

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Governance

333

initiatives

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46,654

interactions with beneficiaries

The Impact

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12,656

people supported to increase connection

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17,944

lives positively impacted by wellbeing projects

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1,898

people engaged in shaping local investment

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2,244

people supported through financial inclusion

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Resulting in £1.2m

increased savings

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1,007

people supported through Hardship Fund awards

Community Investment

We know that building strong communities is as important as providing a home, and we want to offer funding to charities and community groups to help build more sustainable places to live.

Our community projects

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Volunteers honoured at awards ceremony

The Cherwell ‘Love Where You Live’ Volunteer Awards asked local people to nominate individuals and groups who have gone above and beyond to help others during the last 12 months.

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Chester residents get ‘re-cycling’ in the garden

At Sanctuary, we’re committed to sustainability and doing our bit for the environment – and our residents share those same passions too.

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Phone chats helping beat loneliness

A project that sees volunteers provide friendship and a listening ear over the phone is proving a lifeline to people who have felt lonely.

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Creating a multi-sensory haven

Volunteers helped with painting and DIY at disability charity, which offers multi-sensory leisure therapy to people of all ages with learning disabilities and additional needs.

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Sanctuary Supported Living's Partnership with Dame Kelly Holmes Trust 2023-24

Case study

The Dame Kelly Holmes Trust has made an incredible impact on our young people over the past year. This video is packed with inspiring statistics that highlight how our collaboration has supported our young people to be more resilient and confident, and transformed lives and communities.

National recognition for Blacon sustainability project

Case study

We’re thrilled that our efforts to make Blacon Adventure Playground in Chester more environmentally-friendly have been recognised at the National Energy Efficiency Awards.

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Hackney hero celebrated at Pride of Britain Awards

Case study

Local mum, Michelle Dornelly, saw a need amongst her neighbours in Hackney and was determined to do something about it. Last week she was recognised for her work at the Pride of Britain Awards.

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We’re very proud of our Employee Volunteering Scheme

Case study

We’re very proud of our Employee Volunteering Scheme, which supports employees to volunteer for up to two working days each year, which in turn supports our communities.

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