We’re proud to have donated £2,000 from our Community Impact Fund to The Folk of Gloucester, a heritage community centre recently restored by Gloucester Civic Trust.
The Folk of Gloucester provides low‑cost arts, theatre and music-based community activities designed to reduce social isolation, boost wellbeing, and reconnect people with Gloucester’s cultural heritage.
The centre is based in the Westgate area of Gloucester, which ranks in the top 10% most deprived areas of the country. By creating a warm and inclusive space, it helps participants to build friendships and access support while learning new creative skills.
Our donation will specifically fund Exploring Textiles — a free weekly drop‑in group that supports around fifteen people aged 16 to 80. Many of them face challenges such as poor mental health, disability, domestic abuse and financial hardship. Some of the group’s regular members include GSA customers who are supported by our GDASS service.
Our funding will cover 20 weeks of activity, paying for a specialist group facilitator and heating the building during sessions.
Louise Williams, CEO at The Folk of Gloucester, said: "Without community support, The Folk is just an empty historic building. This funding helps us keep essential, creative, and inclusive spaces open for people who need them most.
"We are incredibly grateful to GSA for supporting this group of women who are rebuilding their confidence, skills and sense of connection."
Tessa Davis, our GDASS Service Manager, said:
“Our clients find the GDASS group programmes extremely beneficial, but when the programmes end they can struggle to find somewhere else to engage with peers and socialise safely.
"GSA’s donation to The Folk of Gloucester’s Exploring Textiles group provides a fantastic opportunity for them to continue to meet in a safe and nurturing environment, building on the relationships established on their journey to safety.”
This grant followed a successful application to our Community Impact Fund — an initiative designed to support GSA customers and improve their local communities. Grants of up to £2,000 per year are available to resident groups, community projects and local charities.
The fund is made possible thanks to the generous donations made by some of GSA’s suppliers as part of their social value delivery commitments.
Find out more about our Community Impact Fund here.
