• VINCI continues to drive social impact efforts in 2023
• VINCI UK Foundation assisted over 248 charities and community partners since 2016
• VINCI UK Foundation has set up 272 sponsorships since inception in 2016
• VINCI UK Foundation award 43 local charities with grants in 2023
• Funding from VINCI UK Foundation will aid in purchasing and/or updating vital equipment and facilities

In the UK & ROI, specifically, VINCI businesses contribute to the VINCI UK Foundation, which has assisted over 240 charities and community projects with almost £1.6 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 £220,440 in grants – ranging from £3,000 to £9,500 – to 43 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: “At VINCI, our dedication lies in fostering positive transformation, and the grants and sponsorships provided by the VINCI UK Foundation serve as a direct and tangible means for us to contribute to community improvement. The charitable organisations which we partner with are often a life support for residents within the areas we live and work and often holding personal significance for our sponsors. It’s both an honour and a joy to support the remarkable efforts they undertake.” Among this year’s chosen charities are:

• Challengers – £6,500 for Building Repairs

Sponsored by Jack Booth from Axians, Challengers is an organization established in 1979, dedicated to providing inclusive play, leisure, and early educational opportunities for disabled children and young people. They have been granted £6.500 by the VINCI UK Foundation for their Farnham Playcentre, which houses an inclusive preschool and Playscheme for disabled children. The grant will be used for proactive maintenance work to ensure a safe and accessible space for disabled children aged 2-12 to learn and have fun. Challengers’ commitment to inclusivity and support for disabled children aims to break down barriers and improve attitudes towards disability in the community.

www.disability-challengers.org

• The Early Birth Association – £4,500 for Breast Pumps

Sponsored by Pierre-Emmanuel Faivre from VINCI Construction, The Early Birth Association is run by parents with first-hand neonatal experience, that aims to positively impact care at the Trevor Mann Baby Unit and the Special Care Baby Unit. With a £4,500 grant from the VINCI UK Foundation, they will establish a breast pump hire scheme, providing families with hospital-grade pumps free of charge. This initiative aims to ease stress and financial burdens, ensuring every premature baby receives the best possible care. The scheme’s launch is set for September 2023, benefitting babies, families, carers, and staff at both units.

www.earlybirth.co.uk

• The Forget Me Knots – £5,543.20 for defibrillators and uniforms.

Sponsored by Alison Burke from Gatwick Airport, The Forget Me Nots is dedicated to supporting carers, friends, and family members of those living with dementia. They have been granted £5,543.20 to provide two portable defibrillators and uniforms for their staff and volunteers. The defibrillators will be strategically located at each Forget Me Not site, ensuring the safety of their members. Additionally, new uniforms will raise awareness of their charity, making them easily identifiable to the general public. Through this project, the primary beneficiaries are the carers, family, and friends of loved ones with dementia, while the secondary beneficiaries are those suffering from dementia themselves.

• Telford Crisis Support – £6,000 for Essential Education and Tools

Sponsored by Clare White from Freyssinet, Telford Crisis Support, a charity committed to supporting vulnerable individuals and families facing financial crises in the Telford and Wrekin area, have been granted £6,000 to launch the ‘Budget it / Cook it’ project. The initiative aims to provide practical budgeting lessons and cookery demonstrations for young people, parents, and carers. The project will equip them with essential education and tools for budgeting, managing expenses, planning, batch cooking, and healthy eating, making the most of their resources. The goal is to empower today’s service users’ children with valuable life skills, promoting financial literacy and better mental and physical health for future generations.

www.telfordcrisissupport.org.uk

• Angelman UK – £8000 for Essential Equipment

Sponsored by Nicholas Morris from Nuvia, Angelman UK is a volunteer-led charity supporting individuals and families impacted by Angelman Syndrome (AS) which has received an £8,000 grant. The “Saving Lives and Aiding More Restful, Safer Sleep” project will provide essential equipment, including refurbished iPads with epilepsy monitors, epilepsy pillows, bedroom cameras, and sensory support packages. This initiative aims to improve the quality of life for individuals with AS and their families, ensuring safer sleep and peace of mind for caregivers. Beyond sleep-related products, the project includes provisions for software packages to aid mental development and physical sensory development packages. Through support, education, and research, Angelman UK empowers those affected by AS, making a meaningful impact on their lives.

www.angelmanuk.org

• Chrysalis Centre for Change – £6,500 Grant Enhancing Support Spaces

Sponsored by Heidi Yemm from Bachy Soletanche, The Chrysalis Centre for Change has received a £6,500 grant to help their work in empowering women’s potential. Their “Chrysalis Connections” project focuses on refurbishing their premises to create a more accessible and supportive environment for women struggling with mental health and the impact of domestic abuse. By converting two large rooms into a flexible space and creating dedicated rooms for one-on-one support, Chrysalis aims to expand their impact, reduce social isolation, promote mental wellbeing, and empower women to thrive. Through these efforts, they contribute not only to the wellbeing of the individuals they support but also to their families, friends, and the broader community.

www.chrysaliscentre.org

• Simon Community Northern Ireland – £5,000 Essential Items and Refurbishments

Sponsored by Jaclyn Coulter from Belfast International Airport, Simon Community Northern Ireland, a leading homeless charity, has received a £5,000 grant for their “Creating Homes social impact project.” This initiative aims to address the shortage of quality social housing in Northern Ireland by purchasing and refurbishing homes for homeless individuals and families. The grant will be used to purchase essential items and conduct refurbishment work, including bathrooms, kitchens, furnishings, and paint. With a focus on providing affordable, well-maintained homes, this project seeks to end homelessness for the long term and benefit homeless clients, families, young people, those with mental health and addiction issues, and asylum seekers.

www.simoncommunity.org

• Salford Loaves and Fishes – £5,000 Grant for Enrichment Sessions

Sponsored by Lucy Smith of Eurovia, Salford Loaves and Fishes, has been awarded a £5,000 grant for their “Afternoon Enrichment Sessions” project. The grant will enable the charity, which supports the homeless and vulnerable in Salford, to enhance their Drop-In Centre with new furniture, including comfy chairs and solid tables, creating a comfortable space for individuals to engage in a variety of sessions. These enrichment activities range from digital skills and creative writing to hate crime awareness and friendship circles. The project aims to provide support, skills training, and a sense of community for anyone in need, including those with complex needs, the homeless, and vulnerable individuals.

www.salfordloavesandfishes.org.uk

More details can be found at www.vinci-uk-foundation.co.uk.

Ends.

ABOUT VINCI UK Foundation

The original VINCI Foundation was established in France in May 2002. Since then, it has supported more than 3,878 charitable projects, each receiving an average grant of £10,000 and the support of up to four employees. The Foundation distributes more than £3.3 million globally to good causes every year.

The VINCI UK Foundation was launched in early 2016 with the specific goal of promoting social cohesion and fighting exclusion and isolation in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, by combining the skills of VINCI staff with financial assistance to be a long-term partner for the community.

Businesses contributing to the VINCI UK Foundation are VINCI Concessions, VINCI Energies UK & RoI, VINCI Construction UK, VINCI Construction Grands Projects, Belfast International Airport, Bachy Soletanche, Freyssinet, Gatwick Airport and NUVIA UK.