STADA Community Catalyst Fund – Showcasing Community Success
Here’s a selection of success stories from the STADA Community Catalyst Fund that show how it has powered local communities since launching in 2024. We’re proud to have helped improve the lives of people living in communities across Huddersfield, by offering financial assistance and practical advice to non-profit groups and organisations that benefitted the community.
Empowering Lawrence Batley Theatre’s local productions
Huddersfield’s Lawrence Batley Theatre was one of our first beneficiaries of the STADA Community Catalyst Fund, and we love the work they do in bringing fabulous, high-quality productions to the local area.
The theatre received a £1,000 grant, which was used to support its community productions, as part of an inclusive project welcoming anyone from Kirklees to shine in a professionally produced show, free of charge.
The partnership has continued over the past year, and in December 2024 we collaborated with the theatre to arrange a full day takeover, giving our 800 Huddersfield and Preston based employees and family members the opportunity to attend special showings of this winter’s pantomime.
Boosting health and wellbeing in Huddersfield
We had a great time working with Lindley-based running group, Acre Street Runners, which offers running and walking sessions four times a week for all ages and abilities. They do a brilliant job in helping local people improve their overall wellbeing, and we’ve been pleased to support them this year.
Our grant has funded a project that aims to allow local members of the community to access a course run by experienced runners, to help them train to run or walk 5km – vital in getting people moving, especially in the colder, darker months.
The course, which is set to culminate in all participants running the local parkrun, will bring people together to support each other as they look to improve their physical health and mental wellbeing, and we’re excited to see the team succeed.
Working with Uniform Exchange to keep children warm this winter
When we first spoke to uniform support charity, Uniform Exchange, we were blown away by the enormous impact they were already having on the local community – and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to support them even further.
Uniform Exchange recycles unwanted school uniforms and provides them to the families who need them most. We were able to award them a £1,000 grant, which has been used in their great efforts to keep kids warm this winter, by supplying 500 pairs of gloves to children in the local area.
We’ve been delighted to continue an ongoing partnership too, and we’ve set up donation points at local STADA offices, so that staff can donate uniform they no longer need, helping Uniform Exchange provide vital support to the households that need it.
Transforming lives with Streetbikes
The inspiring Streetbikes team is committed to transforming people’s lives through cycling, after beginning its project in 2009 with the intention of helping underprivileged people in Kirklees by recycling bikes.
We supported Streetbikes with a grant to help them continue their fantastic work in the local community, where they provide access to affordable bikes and a range of cycling sessions, helping people in Huddersfield get on the move, and learn how to cycle.
We’re pleased to say that his grant has been put towards the Christmas bike giveaway, which will provide six serviced and fully checked bikes and helmets to vulnerable children, providing a gift that will last a whole childhood.