After being shortlisted in the campaign by the UK’s fourth largest building society, the group’s application was then in the hands of the public vote, to determine if they were to win £500 in funding. Shortlisted on www.skiptonbig160.co.uk R.I.V.A Project’s story was shared nationally, as well as via Skipton’s social media activity - as a result the local group secured a big enough proportion of the 20,000 votes received to be crowned a winner.

David Cutter, Skipton’s Group Chief Executive said: “Everyone at Skipton Building Society has thoroughly enjoyed running this programme which has brought out of the woodwork so many hard working local community groups, which we would never otherwise have known of. It is these kind of groups that make communities and neighbourhoods stronger, especially in difficult economic times, and we’re delighted to have been able to showcase some of the unsung heroes across the UK who are really going the extra mile to make life better for everyone.”
“Skipton’s Grassroots Giving programme was set up to support groups who show commitment to their community, who could illustrate how they plan to evolve in the future and how the funding would be used to help secure the longevity of their great work. Typically these grassroots groups often struggle to secure vital funding due to their size. And this is what we wanted to change in launching this pioneering initiative. We now look forward to hearing the stories of the impact our funding, and the raised profile of these groups has on our Big 160 winners. . Hopefully they will continue to flourish and remain the jewels in the crown of their local communities.”
R.I.V.A Project is a community group that organises work based learning training for those with disabilities. The project- (Recreational, Imaginative, vocational activities for people) has been going strong for the past 15 years, and is run by experienced, passionate volunteers. Some of the workshops the group holds are retail, catering, and vital life skills. Volunteers work with members during throughout these workshops, which lead to the members working in the group’s very own charity shop and coffee shop. This allows members to put their skills to use in a real working environment, and develop them further. The funding received from Skipton’s Grassroots Giving Campaign will be hugely beneficial to the group, as it will mean those with disabilities in the Sheffield area, can develop vital life skills and incorporate them into a real life working environment. It will also mean the group can purchase the necessary equipment for the charity shop and coffee shop- a till, cutlery and kitchen utensils. A volunteer said:
"Success will be measured when clients feel confident enough to experience working in other environments. We rely on funding like this to keep us going, it really is a fantastic cause."
As part of its Grassroots Giving initiative, Skipton Building Society has also launched a series of free resources covering a range of key areas for community groups. From help and advice on how groups can gain funding through to recruiting volunteers and governance essentials – the guides can all be downloaded for free form the Society’s bespoke Grassroots Giving website, skiptonbig160.co.uk/free-resources.

Skipton Building Society launched its Grassroots Giving programme as part of its 160th anniversary celebrations earlier this year. For more updates on Skipton Building Society’s support of community organisations you can also follow updates via twitter.com/SkiptonBS_GrG