Alstom selects 12 recipients across the UK and Ireland to share its Community Project Fund

Alstom’s CPF aims to fund projects that deliver social and environmental value for the local communities in which the company operates in. This year, the CPF will support projects as varied as social mobility, elderly welfare, youth mental health and suicide prevention.

Staff are encouraged to nominate good causes as part of the annual funding cycle and then work with a charity or community group to complete an application for up to £30,000 (€35,000). A senior panel then reviews applications against a robust criteria and, if successful, the project sponsor continues to support the individual scheme through delivery.

“Our Community Project Fund was established in 2022 to financially support charity and community group projects with an annual funding cycle, plus encourage employee volunteer support. Since then, we have supported 32 different projects with a total value of over £435,000, benefitting over 20,000 community members local to our 37 sites across the UK and Ireland,” said Rebecca Taylor, Head of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility at Alstom UK and Ireland.

She added: “What makes the Community Project Fund so special is that our colleagues are involved every step of the way, championing causes they care about and supporting delivery on the ground. It’s a brilliant example of how our people and our purpose come together to deliver positive change within the communities we serve.”

One of the beneficiaries of Alstom CPF this year is Back Up. For over 30 years, this UK charity has worked nationwide alongside people and families to rebuild confidence and independence after a spinal cord injury – providing award-winning services that challenge perceptions and open up new possibilities.

“We are delighted that Alstom will be funding our Manchester City Skills course. This course teaches our service users the necessary skills needed to navigate a big city with a spinal cord injury. It is a crucial step towards thriving and becoming independent after a spinal cord injury,” said Brad Ewles, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Back Up.

The 12 2024 Community Project Fund recipients are listed below:

• Project: Baton of Hope, UK-wide

Partner: Baton of Hope

We lose 17 people a day to suicide in the UK. This funding will continue Alstom’s support for the Baton of Hope to deliver the third year of the largest suicide awareness and prevention initiative in the UK, including the ambitious 2025 Baton of Hope Tour, which will visit 20 locations later this year. Outreach work will continue in workplaces and educational establishments, and suicide prevention conferences will be hosted to create Communities of Hope for lasting impact.

• Project: Job Coach, Dublin

Charity Partner: NOW Group

NOW Group are recruiting a Job Coach to provide on-the-job training in customer service, barista and food preparation at its Loaf Catering & Cafe social enterprise in Kilmainham, a recently opened eatery that serves delicious food whilst creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities and autism. The Job Coach will assist NOW Group Academy participants’ development to help them find placement opportunities and secure paid employment in the catering and hospitality industry, upon completion of their placement with Loaf Catering & Cafe.

• Project: City Skills Course, Manchester

Charity Partner: Back Up

Individuals with new spinal cord injuries often lack the practical skills and confidence needed for mobility and independence, particularly when navigating different terrains and public transport. Back Up’s City Skills five-day course addresses this gap by safely supporting six participants to build essential wheelchair skills, confidence and experience navigating urban environments, which facilitates greater participation in social activities, education and employment. 

• Project: Environmental, Biodiversity and Sustainability School Visits, Derbyshire

Partner: Meynell Langley Hall

Meynell Langley Hall provides hands-on outdoor learning within STEM topics in the heart of the countryside by a qualified teacher. The funding from Alstom will purchase essential equipment to enhance primary and secondary school visits and provide transport for disadvantaged schools to connect students with the environment, sparking a love for nature, learning and an understanding of eco-friendly habits.

• Project: Drop-In Mental Health Support, Derby

Charity Partner: Bridge the Gap

Bridge the Gap is an emotional health hub offering daily walk-in support with the aim of reducing rates of self-harm and crises among young people and children. Alstom funding will support a Duty Worker who can work with a young person to explore strategies dependent on mental health requirements, and signpost to relevant resources and activities.

• Project: Christmas Meals, Derby

Partner: Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance

Derby contains some of the most economically deprived areas in the country. This project gifted 300 families a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings and pudding – plus mince pies and chocolates – so that parents didn’t have to choose between presents, heating or food for their family.

• Project: Annual STEM Competition, Derby

Charity Partner: Young Engineers and Scientists of Derbyshire

This one-day science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) challenge is open to 100 Year 7 to 12 students in Derbyshire each year. This year, teams of three students will be designing, making and testing a rail themed challenge to customer specifications in celebration of Railway 200, with professional guidance and raw materials ‘bought’ from a ‘shop’. Teams will be judged on the most innovative, environmentally friendly and successful products.

• Project: Moving On Programme, Midlands

Charity Partner: Micro Rainbow

With Alstom’s support, a Moving On Officer will be able to offer one-to-one support to LGBTQI asylum seekers and refugees in finding employment, accessing skills training and pursuing further education, as well as provide assistance with seeking financial support. In addition, workplace-based employability sessions will provide both technical and practical support for securing employment and skills training, with funded transport.

• Project: Camping and Adventurous Activity Equipment, Stourbridge

Charity Partner: 15th Stourbridge Scout Group

Replacing and upgrading existing well-worn tents and camping equipment, and providing additional kit will allow the 15th Stourbridge Scout Group to take more young people on overnight residentials and camps, and for them to cook ‘under canvas’. Spending time away from home with their peers will help prepare young people with essential life skills each year, while providing them with fun and adventure.

• Project: Step Up to Employment, London

Charity Partner: Hillingdon Autistic Care and Support

The London Borough of Hillingdon reports that only three in ten autistic people of working age are in employment. This programme aims to educate, empower and equip 40 autistic individuals with the skills necessary to take control of their wellbeing, which is a key factor in achieving sustained employment. This will be accomplished through support drop-ins, social clubs, cognitive behavioral therapy-based prevention programmes and ‘lunch and learn’ sessions, as well as training for employers and health professionals.

• Project: Welfare of Elderly, North West London

Charity Partner: Navjivan Vadil Kendra

An established meeting helps to improve the quality of life of an average of 250 elderly and retired individuals each week at the Sattavis Patidar Centre in Wembley. This funding will upgrade and improve the audio-visual and IT components that support the meetings, events and trips to facilitate better communication in the hall and outdoors.

• Project: Community Support, New Cross Gate

Charity Partner: Besson Street Community Garden

Besson Street Community Garden provides positive opportunities to local people of all ages and backgrounds in order to lead happy, healthy, stable and fulfilled lives. This project will provide welfare facilities in the form of a new eco-friendly solar powered composting toilet for use during outdoor community activities in the fruit and vegetable growing garden and attached community space. Alstom funding will also provide fire marshal training and cover maintenance repairs to wooden classrooms.

In 2023, Alstom’s CPF supported 11 projects which tackled multiple social and environmental challenges to a total value of nearly £160,000 (€183,000). Recipients included Jigsaw – The National Centre for Youth Mental Health in Ireland, SAMH, Scottish Action for Mental Health and UK charity Young Enterprise.