Exeter Businesses launch the ARISE initiative to support community groups and projects

Three Exeter businesses have joined together to provide funding to launch the ARISE (Alliance to Reward Initiatives and Social Enterprises) initiative across the city, which will provide £10,000 annually to support projects and socially based activities that improve the lives of groups or individuals in Exeter.

Land Securities (owners of Princesshay), Norman Rourke Pryme and Kier Construction have all contributed and are committed to the ARISE project, which will manage the distribution of funds over the next 12 months to community groups, organisations or individuals that apply to support youth development, education and training, improving community facilities and much more.

Wayne Pearce, Princesshay Centre Director said, “We hope ARISE will give individuals or groups the opportunity to apply for funding to support their community based initiative. This could include providing kit for football teams, or toys for a play scheme, anything which would benefit the city’s community endeavours. Land Securities has supported this project in locations across the country and we’re thrilled that we can launch the initiative here in Exeter.”

The fund is open to applications for support, up to a maximum of £1000. Applications will be considered on their merits by an independent selection committee which includes Sue Williams, Senior Project Manager at the University of Exeter, Cllr Stella Brock, City Councillor for St Davids Ward, Chris Knee, Chief Executive Officer at St Loye’s Foundation and Paul Burton, Editor of the Express and Echo, who will meet on a quarterly basis.

Interested applicants will be required to complete a simple application form for consideration by the selection committee.

Letetia Jones from Norman Rourke Pryme comments, “We’re very pleased to be able to support this new initiative in Exeter and look forward to seeing local groups and organisations being able to invest in projects, activities and facilities that make a real difference.”

Anthony Irving of Kier Construction said, “Anyone can apply and we encourage people to find out more from the Princesshay website. It’s a very simple process with the ultimate aim of rewarding and supporting the fantastic work that takes place in our community.”

The ARISE grassroots grants programme designed to help community projects surrounding Land Securities shopping centres and retail parks was first launched in Leeds in 2005 and has since been extended to Bristol, Cardiff, Hatfield, Thanet, Sunderland, Portsmouth and now Exeter helping over 300 community projects in the process. The first application process for ARISE Exeter went live on Monday 1 July 2013. The deadline for the first wave of applications will be Friday 31 August 2013.Application forms can be requested from the Princesshay Centre Management Team on 01392 456550 or via email to kim.beggs@landsecurities.com

To find out more visit www.princesshay.com