Health grants for organisations

Organisation

Stuart Low Trust

Cloudesley grant

2020 – £90,000 (£30,000 per year for three years) from the Principal Grants Fund

2021 – £3,000 from the Grants Support Fund

About the Organisation

Stuart Low Trust (SLT) was established after the suicide of Stuart Low in 1997. SLT supports vulnerable, socially isolated adults with varying mental health issues. Their aim is to run activities when other places are closed and when vulnerable isolated adults may feel at their lowest ebb. They aim to alleviate suicidal intention, reduce social isolation, and increase inclusion and wellbeing, with a prevention and early intervention focus. SLT’s work is split into three programmes: Arts, Nature and Wellbeing.

Project Funded

The grant supports the Arts and Nature programme, which engages Islington residents living with multiple disadvantage (e.g. mental health, suicidal ideation, social isolation, poverty) with opportunities they feel are not open to them. Activities within this include a Philosophy Discussion Group; a Singing Group with performance; Art workshops in partnership with a local gallery; a Garden Club; and Arts and Nature Visits. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, most activities were run virtually for the first year of the project, before transitioning to a mix of in-person and online delivery. Whilst activities were run remotely, SLT produced Mindfulness in Nature DVDs for people who are not online, and organised phone calls and mailouts.

Impact of Project

In the first year of the grant, SLT reached 421 Islington residents with their online activities. Evaluation forms and feedback sessions have indicated that the programme has reduced social isolation for participants, increased their wellbeing and left them feeling more confident.

What the group says

“SLT is delighted to have the kind support of Cloudesley, particularly as the pandemic ends, so that we can continue to grow our activities and transition to a hybrid approach, online and offline, so participants can choose which is best for them.”

The Cloudesley perspective – why did this project gain support?

The project fit well with Cloudesley’s objects and the Fund’s aims. SLT is a well-established local charity that runs its activities strategically across the borough. They have a strong emphasis on co-production, putting their users/volunteers at the forefront of the design and delivery of the activities. The need for SLT’s activities continues to be affirmed by the ever-growing number of attendees. They support clients to experience a sense of belonging and companionship in an inclusive, cohesive and non-judgemental environment.  A good number of activities are offered outside normal working hours, reducing some of the barriers faced by people who experience isolation in seeking help when it is most needed.