Footprints in the Community celebrates after receiving over £430,000 from the National Lottery

Local charity Footprints in the Community is celebrating after being awarded continuation funding of over £430,000 from the National Lottery to support its work for the next five years.  The charity will use the money to cover core operating costs, meaning that thanks to National Lottery players it can continue to support local people struggling with isolation and poverty in Redcar and the surrounding areas.

Footprints in the Community was founded in 2011 by CEO Ruth Fox and now runs a variety of essential and innovative projects from their offices based in Queen Street in Redcar.  The charity now has more than 10 staff and almost 200 volunteers, when all of its projects are running. 

 The new funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK, will allow Footprints to focus on helping even more people during 2021. This will be through its existing projects including Redcar Area Foodbank, Next Step Shop, First Steps, Men’s & Women’s Shed, Redcar Beacons and Footprints Community Café on Redcar High Street.  The charity is also hoping to reopen projects which have been temporarily paused due to the pandemic, including Artspace, Reflections Dementia Support and Bridging the Gap.

Footprints in the Community has already had some exciting developments so far in 2021.  This Spring its second Next Step Shop opened in Grangetown, a development which will bring low-cost food closer to the communities who need it the most.  The subsidised members’ shops are usually the ‘next step’ for foodbank clients, although anyone facing food poverty can apply to become a member.

The charity has also recently developed a new website www.footprintsinthecommunity.co.uk with an online shop, to generate further essential income to support Footprints’ projects.  The online shop sells a variety of donated new and pre-loved items, as well as Footprints in the Community merchandise. With new products being added all of the time, the charity is excited to see how this will develop during the coming year.

 Ruth Fox, CEO says, “We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way. Now, thanks to National Lottery players, we will be able to continue supporting local people struggling with isolation and poverty into 2021 and beyond. We’re excited to see what the future holds”.