As part of our commitment to providing ongoing social value in the communities where we work, Elkins Construction is pleased to have agreed a partnership with Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) to support its Extra Time project.
CACT is a charitable arm of Charlton Athletic Football Club, which has spent 30 years working with local people across Greenwich, Bexley and Kent to deliver high quality programmes based on the needs of the community. In its most recent summary impact report, based on data collected from all its programmes over a three-year period, the value of the trust’s social impact was £49.6m.
Statistics show that 32.1% of all households in Greenwich and 34.2% of households in Bexley are deprived in at least one dimension and, over the last few years, the challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent cost of living crisis mean the need for additional support in these areas has never been more important.
When Elkins’ Social Value Manager, Ayesha Wright, heard about the fantastic community work CACT are doing, specifically in areas where we are currently working, she was keen to get the business involved. Following a discussion with CACT’s Head of Fundraising and Development, Chris Baker, it was agreed Elkins would support the trust’s Extra Time initiative.
Extra Time brings together retired and semi-retired people in the Greenwich and Bexley to take part in weekly activities, such as curling, choir and dance classes, to improve their mental and physical health. The project was initially funded as a pilot programme by EFL Trust until 2021. It proved to have an extremely positive impact, successfully engaging over 100 individuals in the local area, which lead to CACT deciding to continue the project indefinitely.
Elkins’ support will include sponsorship of £8,000 over the next year, which will go towards the costs of running the programme. Beginning on 8th November, Ayesha will also be volunteering her time to lend a helping hand at one of the sessions every month, and we will also be opening up the opportunity to volunteer on the project to all our employees.
“We’re delighted to be supporting Charlton Athletic Community Trust’s Extra Time project for the next year,” says Ayesha. “Last month, I was lucky enough to be invited to attend CACT’s community awards and saw some of the amazing work the trust has been doing in 2023. We can’t wait to get involved and I look forward to attending next year and celebrating Elkins having played a part in it.”
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