Following the £250,000 community investment we provided during lockdown, we’re pleased to be forming a charitable arm called VIVID+. It will begin operating in early 2021 with an initial £21 million to invest over the next 5 years to make a long-term impact.
This investment will go towards providing employment, training and money advice to help get customers back into work and sustain their tenancies; access to wellbeing and mental health support; extra funds for voluntary groups to help keep their vital services running; and place shaping activities including funding social enterprises so people feel proud of the area they live. Funding will be specifically targeted through partnerships rather than through an open application process.
We’ve learnt a lot throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. As a housing association deep-rooted in the heart of the area, we’re in a strong position to use our financial strength and partnerships with many of you to do our very best for the customers and communities we serve.
We’re living in unprecedented times, the effects of which are having immediate and long-term consequences on the world’s and this country’s economy. We’re only at the start of the impact this will have on society and especially the most vulnerable, so by establishing VIVID+ we’ll do all we can to help local people thrive in their homes and neighbourhoods.