Northern Monk have announced three long-term charity partnerships as part of their Faith in Future Foundation.
Faith in Futures is now a long-term supporter of Holbeck Together, a community support group based in the same neighbourhood of Leeds as Northern Monk; Pyramid, who help people with learning disability, autism, or both, through the discovery, development and disruption of the arts in West Yorkshire, which is also based in Holbeck; and Restoring Hardknott Forest, a project to restore one of the largest conifer plantations in the Lake District National Park back to native woodland.
The three causes were selected following a vote by members of staff of Northern Monk.
Faith in Futures has donated more than £85,000 to 22 community causes across the UK since it was set up in 2019. Previously, charities were invited to apply for funding of one-off grants of up to £5,000.
Ciaran Shier, Positive Impact Director at Northern Monk, said:
“We’re delighted to be able to support Holbeck Together, Pyramid and Restoring Hardknott Forest. Previously, we would donate grants to causes and then move onto the next donation. By becoming long-term supporters of these three groups, it means we can make multiple donations to them over the coming months and years, supporting specific projects or goals, fundraise for specific causes, and tell people exactly which charities will benefit from their donations or when they buy our beer.”
Holbeck Together was established as a Neighbourhood Network Scheme in 1992 to support older people living in Holbeck. Drawing on these experiences and expertise, they now welcome people from all generations. Holbeck Together provide a variety of services, activities and opportunities for people to get involved locally. Many activities are specifically for people in later years of living, others for younger people and some for all ages.
Pyramid’s goal is to help people to discover the arts, and to develop their talents to become world-class artists. Pyramid also disrupt the social and institutional barriers that prevent people with learning disabilities or autism from being recognised, supported and celebrated through collaborative art groups, including a programme for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well as providing one-on-one creative support and professional development opportunities.
Restoring Hardknott Forest is a partnership between Forestry England and the University of Leeds, restoring one of the largest conifer plantations in the Lake District, combining practical conservation, informed by research and monitoring, to create and restore 630 hectares of native woodland and other wildlife rich habitats.
Faith in Futures raises money through various channels including fundraising events, merchandise sales and sales of their Faith in Futures range of beers, which are available in supermarkets, the Northern Monk website, and Northern Monk’s venues in Leeds and Manchester.
The Faith in Futures Foundation donates grants up to £5,000 to a range of community focused charities, causes and support groups. The Foundation raises funds for these grants through various channels including fundraising events, merchandise sales and sales of their Faith in Futures range of beers, which are available in supermarkets and the Northern Monk website, and Northern Monk’s venues in Leeds and Manchester.
Northern Monk started life in a cellar in Bradford with a £5,000 gift from a grandparent. Inspired by these origins and an ambition to give back wherever we can, we launched the For The North Foundation in September 2019. The For The North Foundation allowed us to support the people who share our values, and our passion for the North, via £5,000 grants offered to businesses, charities and projects that aimed to provide a genuine benefit to the communities they serve, or the wider environment.
March 2021 saw the ‘For The North Foundation’ evolve into Faith in Futures Foundation. Faith in Futures has no geographical border applied to our giving.
In 2024, we were very proud to celebrate the milestone to have donated £80,000 to 21 different causes across the UK since the creation of the Foundation, and to have supported so many businesses, especially during the extremely tough period that was the pandemic.
For more information on Faith in Futures and to see details on all of our previous donations, please visit faithinfutures.com
This post is based on a press release issued by Northern Monk
Photo: Pyramid is a Holbeck-based arts collective working with people with learning disabilities and autism
While you’re here, can we ask a favour?
South Leeds Life is published by a not-for-profit social enterprise. We keep our costs as low as possible but we’ve been hit by increases in the print costs for our monthly newspaper which have doubled in the last two years.
Could you help support local community news by making a one off donation, or even better taking out a supporters subscription?
Donate here, or sign up for a subscription at bit.ly/SLLsubscribe
