West Wales charity Foothold Cymru is celebrating after receiving £18,000 from the Benefact Group through its annual Movement for Good Awards.
Following several years of support from local business Lloyd & Whyte Community Broking, part of the Benefact Group, Foothold Cymru was encouraged to apply by the Llanelli office in order to receive the Community Partnership Grant.
Lloyd & Whyte Community Broking, which operates across South Wales and the South West, provides specialised insurance broking and expert advice in Business and Personal lines insurance. Their experienced team delivers professional, tailored solutions to meet the complex needs of local businesses and individuals, while remaining deeply committed to supporting their communities.
Wynne Thomas, Head of Community Broking, Llanelli, said:
“We’re proud to support Foothold Cymru through the Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards. Our values of professionalism, partnership, and community are at the heart of everything we do and helping local organisations like Foothold Cymru make a real difference is something we’re incredibly passionate about.”
The grant is designed to help charities make a real difference in their communities, focusing on good causes that advance education and skills, heritage, arts and culture, and tackle climate change and environmental issues.
Foothold Cymru will use the £18,000 to develop an outdoor learning centre in the heart of Llanelli, giving young people aged 14 - 24 the opportunity to learn about environmental stewardship, develop growing skills, and nurture produce on their own piece of land.
Mike Theodoulou, Foothold Cymru CEO, said:
“This funding will enable us to deliver a two-year project focused on empowering the community to take an active role in environmental stewardship, while equipping young people with valuable life skills. The grant will leave a lasting legacy in Llanelli, inspiring a generation of environmentally aware young people who can apply their new skills across many areas of life.
This support highlights the positive impact that responsible, community-focused businesses like Lloyd & Whyte can have. Their generosity plays a vital role in helping us continue our much-needed work within the community.”
Following an initial ‘Expression of Interest’ stage, where charities provided a short overview of their work, 50 were invited to complete a full application. The winning projects were selected against four key criteria: impact and effectiveness, sustainability, innovation, and care and compassion — with Foothold Cymru being the only charity in Wales to benefit for this grant.
Graeme Fox, Regional Director at Lloyd & Whyte Community Broking, said:
“Supporting Foothold Cymru is a great example of how partnerships between local businesses and charities can make a real difference. We’re thrilled that this funding will help create lasting benefits for the environment, community and future generations.”
The funding will create a vibrant classroom and growing area within an existing community garden, where participants manage their own raised beds while learning about sustainable growing, climate action, and habitat restoration — valuable skills that are increasingly in demand across the fast-growing green jobs market.
For more information on the project or to get involved, please email emily@footholdcymru.org.uk
