The National Lottery

Over the years we have been fortunate enough to receive funding from The Big Lottery, Lottery Community fund, Awards for all and the Lottery COVID-19 Emergency fund. Over the years their support has helped out young people and has helped us set up a Countrymen’s Club. We have then been able to replicate the model across the UK and this has been running for over 6 years and is still growing. We have benefitted from funding for extra spaces for activities and through the COVID-19 Emergency Funding we have been able to make the environment much safer, spreading out the resources and making other areas accessible to the participants. The funding has also helped with all the added health and safety procedures we have now put in place. As a result, we have not closed throughout the COVID-19 situation and we have been able to reach some of the most vulnerable or at- risk young people and provide outreach for the isolated countrymen and families.

Most recently The National Lottery have provided funding for Future Roots to develop a “Green Gym” on the Rylands Farm Site. We believe that the outdoors and exercise can not only be fun but have a significant contribution to a young person’s emotional health and wellbeing. This lottery funding has covered the cost of a range of equipment and the base material for this to be seated upon. We have no doubt the young people who come to Future Roots will benefit from the Green Gym in many ways and help build their resilience and sense of achievement.

 

The Dorset Community Foundation

The Dorset Community Foundation have supported projects at Future Roots over many years. Most recently DCF have assisted with funding to help meet the challenge of the Covid 19 situation. Their support has enabled some re modelling of the farm areas young people access, making these Covid safe. The funding has also helped Future Roots to remain open despite the restrictions and carry on offering vital services to vulnerable young people and their families. Additional cleaning, PPE and sanitization stations have all been funded from the DCF grants.

 

The John Lewis Foundation

In April 2020, the John Lewis Foundation initiated a project at Future Roots designed to specifically help the most vulnerable young people gain qualifications and employment. Up to 8 young people are benefitting from a programme designed to build on teamwork, offer work experience (on and off) site and boost confidence and employability skills. Working together as a cohesive group our young people are already showing a sense of achievement, rising to new challenges, and trying new experiences and seeing opportunity.