National Lottery Funding

A charity founded by the family behind an established Yorkshire HR, employment law and health and safety consultancy to help get people recovering from addiction and homelessness back into employment has been awarded a five-figure support grant from The National Lottery Community Fund. The Howarth Foundation, founded by Howarths, has been awarded the £43,000 grant from the Coronavirus Community Support Fund, distributed by The National Lottery Community Fund, to help grow the reach of its services across Kirklees and Leeds. Since launching in February 2017, The Howarth Foundation has secured employment for more than 23 previously homeless individuals at some of the region’s best-known employers including The John Smith’s Stadium, Leeds United Football Club and Ringways Motor Group. The charity’s Business Building Futures - Street2Feet membership programme matches its clients, many of whom have led previously chaotic lifestyles and have often experienced homelessness, with businesses who are able to provide jobs across Kirklees and Leeds. The programme has also successfully placed over 23 previously homeless people into skills training and supported a large number with referrals for housing assessment. Andy Howarth, CEO at The Howarth Foundation, explained: “The concept of our Business Building Futures – Street2Feet programme is simple but effective. By marrying up the skills of our clients looking for work, with local businesses able to offer employment, we’re not only supporting people who have been homeless with a second chance at life, but also helping to reduce the burden on the tax payer by finding employment for those who might otherwise be totally reliant upon state benefit, or even worse, end up back on the street committing or becoming a victim of crime. Gavin Howarth, MD at Howarths and Chair of Trustees at The Howarth Foundation, added: “Our charity is entirely self-funded and relies heavily on fundraising events to generate income, so the coronavirus pandemic has had a significant financial impact. The money from The National Lottery Community fund will ensure we remain financially stable for at least the next six months and will be a huge support in ensuring we can continue to grow the reach of our work to help even more people across Kirklees and Leeds.” Funding for the Coronavirus Community Support Fund, distributed by The National Lottery Community Fund, was made available from The Office of Civil Society, part of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.  

*Press Release Published by Alex Mason PR