Livewell Southwest, the Livewell Foundation and the Rank Foundation came together last month at an event to celebrate collaborative giving to end loneliness and isolation across Plymouth city.
The three organisations came together at a celebratory event at Market Hall in Devonport for speeches and an official cheque presentation. Almost 100 guests attended, many coming from charitable organisations across the city who are working hard to reduce and eliminate loneliness and isolation.
The Rank Foundation has invested more than £5 million in Plymouth over the past five years to reduce loneliness and isolation. Earlier this year, Livewell Southwest donated £500,000 to the Rank Foundation to complement its giving in the city for the next 24 months. The funding was then allocated to voluntary organisations by a participatory grant making panel, made up of local voluntary sector leaders. As a result, a number of organisations have been funded and a report on the initial impact of this funding is expected next year.
Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise providing integrated health and social care services for people across Plymouth, South Hams and West Devon, as well as some specialist services for people living in parts of Devon and Cornwall. The social enterprise aims to deliver the right care for people, in the right place and at the right time.
The Livewell Foundation administers the charitable funds for services run by Livewell Southwest. It also awards grants to support community projects and initiatives to help improve health and wellbeing, prevent ill health or reduce social isolation within Plymouth and South West Devon.
The Rank Foundation is the philanthropic legacy of Joseph Arthur Rank (1888-1972). Lord Rank was a devout Methodist, a committed family man, and a successful entrepreneur who made his fortune through flour milling, film making and canny investments. The wealth from Lord Rank’s successful enterprises provided the basis for the endowment, which has enabled the Foundation to make charitable grants for more than 50 years. Since Lord Rank’s death, the Foundation has donated more than £250 million pounds to improve the lives of people and communities by developing leadership and promoting enterprise and since 2019 has been investing in the social purpose sector in Plymouth to reduce loneliness and isolation.
Phil Davies, Associate Director for Plymouth at the Rank Foundation commented: ‘We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with Livewell Southwest, not least because we share many of the same aims and values as together we seek to combat loneliness and social isolation in the city.’
Michelle Thomas, CEO of Livewell Southwest stated: ‘It’s a great honour to partner with the Rank Foundation which ensures Livewell Southwest have a much broader reach to support people who are socially isolated and lonely.’
Chris Davies, Chairman of the Livewell Foundation stated: ‘This event has been a great opportunity for us to meet many of our grantees and to announce our next important round of funding.’
Speeches at the event were given by David Sanderson – CEO, Rank Foundation – on why Rank came to Plymouth and what has been achieved so far, Michelle Thomas – CEO, Livewell Southwest and Chris Davies of the Livewell Foundation.
During the speeches, Chris Davies announced that the Livewell Foundation has opened another round of giving for grants of up to £10,000. Applications can be received until 31 December 2023. For more information on how to apply, a copy of the Livewell Foundation’s grant giving guidance and online application form, please visit www.livewellfoundation.org.uk or email thelivewellfoundation@gmail.com