The SHINE Fund, part of Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW), has received a £5,000 boost thanks to Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards – a programme that gives over £1 million in funding to UK and Ireland charities each year.
The charity is one of 10 organisations selected to receive a £5,000 grant through the Movement for Good Health and Wellbeing Special Draw, which recognises charities supporting physical and mental health across the UK and Ireland. The winners were chosen from a pool of public nominations.
The grant from the Movement for Good Awards will enable the SHINE Fund to provide a range of additional activities and resources designed to support the mental and physical wellbeing of service users and their carers. This funding will help deliver therapeutic and recreational opportunities such as creative workshops, outdoor activities, sensory equipment, and comfort items that enhance the care environment.
By offering these ‘extras,’ the SHINE Fund helps reduce stress and anxiety, promotes social engagement, and supports emotional recovery alongside clinical treatment. These initiatives not only improve the quality of life for those using CNTW’s services but also offer carers support and reassurance. Ultimately, this funding helps create a more positive, supportive atmosphere that contributes to happier, healthier outcomes for everyone involved.
Sharon Brennan, Charity Communications and Marketing Manager, at CNTW said: “We’re so thankful to everyone who nominated the SHINE Fund for this award. The grant means we can bring even more small but meaningful extras to the people we support — whether that’s creative activities, comfort items, or chances to get outside and connect. These things might seem simple, but they really brighten someone’s day and make a big difference to their wellbeing. We’re excited to use this funding to help create a more positive, supportive experience for our service users and their carers.”
The awards are funded by Benefact Group – a family of specialist financial services businesses, including Ecclesiastical Insurance, a leading insurer of the charity sector. Benefact Group is owned by a registered charity and gives all available profits to good causes. It is the third-largest corporate donor to charity in the UK in the past decade, having given over £250 million to causes since 2014.
Mark Hews, Group Chief Executive at Benefact Group, said: “We’d like to thank every single person who took the time to nominate a good cause as part of our Movement for Good Awards. Charitable giving is at the heart of what we do – the more our Group grows, the more we can give.
“We are grateful to all our supporters, including the customers of the trusted insurer, Ecclesiastical, and the responsible and sustainable asset manager, EdenTree. We’re delighted to support charities making a real difference to people’s health and wellbeing. £5,000 can go a long way in the hands of committed charities, and we look forward to seeing the impact this funding will have in the community.
Movement for Good is funded by EIO plc, part of the Benefact Group.