In 2022 the VINCI UK Foundation continued its efforts to strengthen the communities around its businesses in the UK with a new round of funding and practical support for 36 local charities and projects.
In the UK, VINCI group companies including Freyssinet, VINCI Energies, VINCI Construction UK, Bachy Soletanche, Eurovia, and Nuvia contribute to the VINCI UK Foundation, which has assisted over 200 charities and community projects with almost £1.4 million in grants and practical support from VINCI employees, since it was established in 2016.
This year, the VINCI UK Foundation has awarded a total of £173,166 in grants – ranging from £3,000 to £15,000 – to 36 local charitable projects across the UK.
The donations will fund or contribute to the purchase or upgrade of transport, equipment, and facilities to aid the charities in their efforts to alleviate social exclusion and strengthen communities. In addition, each project is sponsored by at least one VINCI employee who will offer their time and skills over a 12-month period.
Ruth Ottley, head coordinator for the VINCI UK Foundation, says: “We are committed to bringing about positive change and the grants and sponsorships offered through the VINCI UK Foundation provide an immediate and practical way for us to make a difference to communities. The charities we support have a truly transformational impact on people’s lives at a local level and many of them have a personal meaning to our sponsors, so it is a both a pleasure and privilege to assist the incredible work they do.”
Freyssinet’s successful charities this year include:
- Phoenix Supported Housing
Sponsored by Darren Collinswood
Phoenix Supported Housing is a Wolverhampton-based charity that provides accommodation for people experiencing temporary or ongoing issues in a harmful environment, along with educational and social support services to help them improve their situation. The VINCI UK Foundation grant will be used to purchase IT equipment for the new Phoenix Educational Hub, where residents can develop skills needed to secure suitable employment, while Freyssinet will offer further skills development and training opportunities.
- Shrewsbury Food Hub
Sponsored by David Carson and Clare White
Shrewsbury Food Hub’s vision is a community where food is valued and not wasted. The charity redistributes surplus food and promote food waste reduction for environmental and social good. Since April 2016, they have collected good surplus food leftover from stores, manufacturers and farms and shared it with community groups. Last year its 123 volunteers stopped 172 tonnes of food from going to waste, preventing more than 500 tonnes of greenhouse gases. This bread, produce, dairy, meat and ready meals saved the charity’s 36 community partners more than 30% of their food budget.
- All Sports Coaching Academy (ACCA)
Sponsored by Clare White
Allsports Coaches Coaching Academy (ACCA) is a Community Interest Company (CIC) based in Telford, with a mission to promote #GreatCoachingChangingLives using #ThePowerofSport. They support military veterans develop their transferrable life skills and become fully qualified coaches, delivering sports coaching and mental health support/mentoring to children in schools and communities.
More details can be found at www.vinci-uk-foundation.co.uk