For over 20 years, Palladium has committed 1.5% of our profit before tax to our global giving platform, Let’s Make it Possible. Through this platform and in partnership with the Kyeema Foundation, Palladium funds humanitarian relief efforts, supports community projects nominated by employees, and runs an annual Challenge Fund to tackle a major global problem.

Earlier this year, Palladium launched the Inaugural UK Community Investment fund, a new initiative designed to back small, locally led organisations that strengthen communities across southern England.

The fund was created to address a simple challenge: many of the organisations closest to local needs often face the greatest barriers to funding. Through grants of up to £10,000, the fund supports practical, community-driven initiatives across Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Southampton, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The programme reflects Palladium's commitment to investing not only in the communities where it works, but also in the places where many of its people live and contribute.

“We’re thrilled to announce the winners of this year’s fund,” says Amelia Beeley, Palladium UK Managing Director. "Across the UK, small, locally led organisations hold communities together, yet are often locked out of funding despite the essential role they play.”

“What I’m most proud of is how rooted these projects are in their communities. Each organisation understands the challenge first-hand and has a practical plan to make a difference, whether that is supporting recovery, reducing loneliness or creating new opportunities for families and young people.”

Following a competitive application process, five organisations have been selected for funding by a panel of Palladium staff. Collectively, these grants are indicative of a larger commitment to supporting stronger communities through every age and stage, from children and young people to older residents, while ensuring people facing additional barriers can access the support they need.

Creating inclusive support networks for SEND families

Parenting Special Children is expanding its work with parents and carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) from ethnically diverse communities in Berkshire. Funding will sustain monthly outreach sessions, specialist information workshops, multilingual support and family events that reduce isolation and help families navigate health, education and social care systems.

The programme is expected to directly benefit around 160 people while strengthening peer networks for families who often struggle to access culturally responsive support.

Giving young people safe spaces to connect and thrive

Monty's Community Hub will use its grant to expand youth provision in a highly disadvantaged area of Southampton through a new youth boxing initiative. Co-designed with young people, the programme combines physical activity with relational youth work, providing safe spaces, trusted adult relationships and opportunities to build confidence and resilience. The boxing sessions will sit alongside Monty's wider youth services and are expected to engage between 60 and 80 young people across the year.

Supporting recovery through community in Oxfordshire

Hekima Bridge CIC will use its funding to establish the Hekima Bridge Recovery & Peer Mentoring Programme, creating structured support for people experiencing alcohol and drug dependency, particularly those from migrant and marginalised communities.

The programme combines allotment-based recovery activities with peer support groups, helping participants build confidence, reduce isolation and access treatment services earlier. Led by people with lived experience, the initiative aims to create stigma-free pathways into recovery for at least 60 people across Oxfordshire.

Building pathways to employment for people with sight loss

Southampton Sight has been awarded funding for VisionWorks, a new employment-readiness programme for blind and visually impaired people of working age. The project will provide digital skills training, workplace mentoring, assistive technology support and personalised pathways into employment.

By combining practical skills development with wellbeing support and connections to employers, VisionWorks aims to help participants build independence, confidence and access to meaningful work opportunities.

Tackling loneliness among older residents

The Mustard Tree Foundation's Engage Project will continue delivering befriending, peer support and community activities for older people experiencing loneliness and social isolation in Reading. The programme coordinates one-to-one visits, telephone support, volunteer-led activities and practical assistance, helping older residents remain connected and independent.

With demand for services rising, the funding will help the project reach around 180 older people over the coming year.

"Together these five organisations support people at every stage of life, from children and young people through to older residents, while creating opportunities for people facing very different challenges,” Beeley adds. “Each organisation understands local needs first-hand and is delivering practical solutions shaped by the communities they serve."

For Palladium, that is precisely the point.

The UK Community Investment Fund was designed to back organisations that combine local knowledge, lived experience and practical action. These are organisations embedded in their communities, trusted by local people and focused on delivering solutions that last.

As the first round of funding gets underway, the inaugural cohort of recipients offers a powerful reminder that meaningful change often begins close to home.