A Bristol-based Community Interest Company is calling on businesses to join their mission to support families in need in Bristol, unlocking 6,000 more places for holiday support.
Since setting up in 2016, Community of Purpose has worked with some of Bristol’s best-known businesses to support thousands of young people from across the city region.
Their Break Free programme offers the chance for children from disadvantaged backgrounds to receive hot meals outside of term time, keep active and nurture friendships, strengthening their social skills and self-esteem. They take part in sporting activities and visit cultural places, thereby relieving the financial and time pressures which many of their parents and carers face. Almost three quarters of those who take part in Break Free receive free school meals.
Now the social enterprise is looking to scale up its operation, by increasing the number of business supporters from 70 to more than 100. The team estimates that it can support more than 6,000 young people through its activities if 30 more businesses came on board.
Co-founder and CEO, Amy Kington, says “We have seen just how much of an impact we are already making, with 70 fantastic businesses on board. From Lancer Scott to Arthur David and Hobbs House Bakery – we welcome businesses big, small, young and well-established. They just need to be passionate about supporting young people in Bristol.
“Our approach is now well established, and we are witnessing an astonishing impact. We are confident that we can now reach those young people and families who can benefit hugely from our support.
“If 30 businesses each offer £5,000, an incredible 6,000 more children who can come along to Break Free. That’s two hot meals per day, plus structured and supportive activities which all contribute to happier, healthier young people with a stronger sense of self and value. This is invaluable not just to the individuals themselves, but to their families too.
“The school holidays make up 25% of the year at 13 weeks cumulatively, so the impact that these programmes have is massive. We look forward to making even more of a difference with businesses across the city.”
Supporting Bristol’s communities
Community of Purpose is an award-winning, not-for-profit social enterprise that was founded in 2016 by South Bristol siblings Amy and Joe Kington. Passionate about transforming the lives and futures of young people in Bristol and beyond, they are seeking new business donors to help fund the next level of their work.
Working in communities across Bristol, last year, Community of Purpose’s five programmes* supported:
- 1,637 young people
- 209 families
- 84 schools
Many Bristolian families need such support. Twenty seven per cent of Bristolian pupils are entitled to free schools meals1. This sits above the national average of 23.8%2. With the summer holidays fast approaching, the need to support young people and families through the break is a present and growing concern.
Emma Ford’s children have attended Break Free over the last couple of years. She is incredibly grateful for the holiday support.
She said: “Knowing my children are happy doing different activities, meeting new people and getting a hot meal takes away some of the stress and worry that can make the holidays difficult. Not only has Break Free helped my children in so many ways, I am forever grateful for the support and care they all show to me, too.”
Businesses who support Community of Purpose get clear and tangible results from their input. Each business gets access to their own dedicated portal, tracking feedback from attendees of Break Free in real time. The data anonymously monitors attendee experience across a range of factors, including friends made, confidence built and foods tried. This contributes to the Net Promoter Score for Break Free.
Morian Cooke, Managing Director at Lancer Scott said: “We know that our support with Community of Purpose is making a real difference to the lives of young people across Bristol. Thanks to our portal access, we can quantify this impact in an instant. For example, we know that over 80% of attendees are making new friends and building confidence – this is crucial to set these young people up for a bright, positive future.
“We want to thank Amy and the team for continuing to make this happen, in a way which communicates to us where and how our support is helping.”
For more information and to discuss supporting Community of Purpose and its projects, get in touch with the team at hello@communityofpurpose.com