Teams and Bensham Community Care, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of older people in Gateshead, is thrilled to announce it has secured £48,000 in funding from Benefact Trust. The grant will support the charity’s ambitious project to refurbish its new premises at the Holy Rosary Parish House, ensuring the space is accessible, safe, and fit-for-purpose to better serve the local community.
For 35 years, Teams and Bensham Community Care has been a lifeline for older adults in the area, hosting lunch clubs, men's groups, and a variety of social activities designed to combat isolation, promote wellbeing, and offer a sense of belonging. The charity provides freshly cooked meals, wellbeing activities, door-to-door minibus transport, and opportunities for volunteering and meaningful social connections. With many attendees facing challenges such as ill health, social isolation, and bereavement, the groups are deeply valued by the community, with participants attending one to three times each week.
The charity’s move from its current location at Bolam Street in Teams, Gateshead, has become necessary due to the upcoming demolition of the neighbouring Redheugh and Eslington Court. The new premises at the nearby Holy Rosary Parish House is ideally situated in the heart of the community it serves. However, the building requires upgrades to ensure it meets the needs of all of the charity’s beneficiaries, particularly those with mobility issues and wheelchair users.
The project will cost an estimated £250,000, with funding from Benefact Trust contributing to the renovation of the ground floor chapel. Planned improvements include accessible entryways, widened doorways, accessible toilets, and the conversion of the domestic kitchen into a professional-grade facility to support the preparation of hot meals for attendees.
“This means an awful lot to me. This is the only place I come, other than my doctor’s appointments,” said a long-time Lunch Club attendee. “It will be sad to leave the building we’re in, but if we can move elsewhere, we’ll take the friendships and atmosphere with us.”
This grant not only supports the continuation of the charity’s social groups but also ensures the ongoing success of its hot meal delivery service, which serves vulnerable members of the community who are unable to attend in-person activities. By providing a steady source of nutritious, hot meals, the service offers peace of mind to families and individuals who may otherwise struggle with access to food and support.
Michelle Scott, Project Development Coordinator, said:
“We are incredibly grateful to Benefact Trust for their generous support, which will play a crucial role in securing the future of our charity and creating a more accessible, welcoming space for those we serve.
“This funding enables us to continue our vital work in reducing isolation and enhancing the wellbeing of older people in Gateshead for years to come.”
Andrew Bass, Senior Grants Officer for Benefact Trust, added:
“We’re excited and privileged to support this project, which will transform Holy Rosary Parish House into a long-term home for the charity at the heart of its community.
“Teams and Bensham Community Care makes a huge impact to people’s lives. From supporting the emotional wellbeing of older people to ensuring they have hot, nutritious meals to look forward to. The isolation of older people has become an increasing issue in recent years, and this charity is an example of how we can make our older communities feel valued, loved, and supported.”
Benefact Trust is one of the UK's largest grant-making charities and awarded more than £23 million to churches, charities and communities in 2023. Its funds come from its ownership of the Benefact Group.
For more information about Teams and Bensham Community Care, including how to get involved or support the charity’s fundraising efforts, please visit tbcommunitycare.wixsite.com/gateshead or follow the charity on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/tbcommunitycare/ for updates on the building project, as well as their daily activities.
About Teams and Bensham Community Care
Teams and Bensham Community Care is a registered charity in Gateshead, providing essential services for older people, including lunch clubs, social groups, hot meal deliveries, and transport. The charity’s work aims to reduce social isolation, improve health and wellbeing, and help create meaningful connections within the local community.
About Benefact Trust:
Benefact Trust is one of the UK’s largest grant-making charities. The Trust’s grants further its charitable objectives of promoting the Christian faith and other charitable causes. Its funds are largely derived from ownership of the Benefact Group - a specialist financial services organisation. Since its foundation in 1972, The Trust has awarded over £256m in grants. Applications are welcomed from all parts of the UK and Ireland, particularly from areas of social and economic deprivation.
Benefact Trust funds projects that tackle homelessness, poverty and social exclusion. The repair, restoration and wider community use of churches and cathedrals of all denominations is also supported.
Follow Benefact Trust on Facebook and Twitter @BenefactTrust, or visit our website: https://www.benefacttrust.co.uk for more information.
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