Meet Up fundraising campaign launched

'A place to...' Fundraising Campaign

We have launched an urgent fundraising appeal to ensure Meet Up, our Youth and Community Centre in Thetford, can continue supporting its local community both now and into the future.

Meet Up, located on the Redcastle Furze Estate in an area of high need, was established in 2010. The centre plays a vital role in tackling local wellbeing issues, inequalities, mental health and social problems, supporting parents and families via a range of groups and activities. It provides young people with youth clubs, reduces isolation for older people, and offers support to families, offering new opportunities to strengthen and develop skills, raise self-esteem and aspirations, helping to keep young people on the right path.

We have now launched a fundraising drive to fill a funding gap to ensure local children, young people and families each year can continue to access the services which they have described as their “lifeline.”

Funding from The National Lottery Community Fund for the last eleven years has enabled Meet Up to carry out vital youth and community work, having a huge impact on local lives. We are grateful for this support and, with funding drawing to a close, we would like to thank The National Lottery as we reach out to supporters and new funders in order to continue Meet Up’s fantastic work.

Meet Up member Alfie, age 13 says: “I have been going to Meet Up for five years and it has always been a supportive and safe place for me to attend. It has helped with my self-confidence.”

Mike Towndrow, Meet Up Manager says: “The National Lottery support for Meet Up has been amazing for the community. Meet Up means so much to so many. Ultimately, it is a lifeline in the heart of the community where little else exists. A place to share worries, get advice, support and guidance and take part in positive activities that enable young people and families to broaden their aspirations, confidence and self-worth.”

We now urgently need further support and are reaching out to local people and businesses now to ensure local families continue to have a place to connect, a place to make friends, a place to feel safe and a place to be themselves.

Mike adds: “We support in the region of 400-500 local families a year. It would be fantastic to see local people and businesses back our fundraising campaign, knowing that money raised would go back into the community and help us to continue the important work we do.”

You can support the Meet Up ‘A place to…’ fundraising appeal in the following ways:

• Donate today on our website: https://benjaminfoundation.co.uk/donate/meet-up
• Take part in fundraising activities, including a 12,000 steps a day challenge.
• Businesses are invited to take advantage of corporate sponsorship and corporate social responsibility opportunities. 

To pledge your support today contact [email protected] or speak to Mike Towndrow, Meet Up Manager on 01842 820871.