Cheshire Community Foundation is celebrating a significant investment in Crewe as Bentley Motors awards funding to ten local organisations through its Bentley Advancing Life Chances programme.

The grants will support vital community projects addressing food poverty, mental health, youth services, disability support and family wellbeing across some of Crewe's most deprived areas. The funding will benefit thousands of local residents over the coming year, from vulnerable families and care leavers to children with SEND and young people facing school avoidance.

"We are thrilled to see this continued investment into Crewe's communities," said Mel Sproston at Cheshire Community Foundation. "Bentley Motors has been a founding donor and long-term partner of Cheshire Community Foundation, and their sustained commitment to Crewe over the years has made a real difference to local lives. These ten organisations are doing exceptional work supporting local people through challenging times, and Bentley's ongoing dedication to advancing life chances in their hometown will create lasting positive change for residents who need it most."

The funded projects include:

Tackling Food Poverty and Essential Needs

·      St Paul's Centre will provide 575 food parcels, fresh food packs and hygiene essentials through their Hope Hub

·      Hope Church Crewe will establish a social supermarket in South Crewe, offering affordable food access and wraparound support services

·      Her-Place will launch a new Community Share Hub in Crewe Town Centre, providing a community launderette, baby bank, women's health and safety drop-ins

·      Wishing Well will distribute essential item packages to 350 vulnerable families through their Start Well Hub

Supporting Young People

·      Pure Insight 1628 will provide wraparound support for 70 care leavers, including mentoring, mental health services and support for young parents

·      Hope 4 More CIC will run creative workshops for young people aged 11-17 experiencing emotionally based school avoidance

·      Central Cheshire Buddy Scheme will deliver activities and day trips for disabled children and young people aged 8-19

·      Cheshire Without Abuse will support 25 young people aged 13-25 engaged in high risk behaviours through their Engage: Interrupt programme

·      Ruby's Fund will provide SEND support across eight Crewe schools using their sensory bus and liaison service

Building Financial Resilience

·      West Cheshire Credit Union will continue employing an outreach officer to connect vulnerable residents with affordable financial services and protect them from loan sharks

Many of the projects focus on Crewe's priority wards, including CW1, CW2 and South Crewe, where residents face compounded challenges including high unemployment, low income and poor health outcomes.

"As a company rooted in Crewe for over 85 years, we have a deep commitment to supporting the community that has been home to our workforce and operations," said Sally Hepton Director of Government Relations and Sustainable Luxury at Bentley Motors. "We trust Cheshire Community Foundation to identify and support the local organisations making the greatest difference to people's lives in Crewe. Through the Bentley Advancing Life Chances programme, we are proud to invest in projects that address real challenges facing our colleagues and neighbours, from food poverty and mental health support to youth services and financial wellbeing. These grants reflect our ongoing dedication to advancing life chances and creating opportunities for all residents in our hometown."

The Bentley Advancing Life Chances programme reflects Bentley Motors' ongoing commitment to supporting the community in which it is based. By investing in local organisations with deep roots and strong partnerships across Crewe, the programme ensures support reaches those who need it most.