The East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), led by Mayor Claire Ward, has celebrated the first 12 months of its partnership with Match My Project, a platform designed to connect businesses with community projects in need of support.
The platform invites local community groups to request assistance, such as funding, volunteers, materials, or expertise. Businesses can then browse these projects and offer their support for free. Mayor Claire Ward commented, “It’s great to see what Match My Project – which is all about ensuring that benefits from public investment flow into communities – has enabled over the past year. Businesses have been generous, sharing surplus materials, as well as their time, skills and funding, and the results have been as diverse and interesting as our communities.”
She added, “From growing native trees and supporting young people to providing clothing and helping community centres keep their doors open, the projects featured here are making a difference in communities right across the East Midlands. I’m pleased EMCCA has been able to establish something so useful with the support of Match My Project, and I hope we can help many more businesses and community organisations find each other and work together over the year ahead.”
Notable projects include the Sherwood Forest Trust, which expanded its community tree nursery capacity with £508 in timber and fittings, plus five hours of volunteering, from TalarMade. This allowed them to grow over 30,000 acorns collected after a mast year.
The Sharewear Clothing Scheme, which provides free clothing to those experiencing poverty, received a significant donation from EMCCA in response to an open request for surplus stock and end-of-line items. Last year alone, Sharewear recorded over 23,000 clothing interventions.
The Will Garvey Trust Foundation, focused on preventing young suicide, received 20 branded running vests from McConnell, along with an hour of their time, to support young fundraisers. The vests helped runners connect with the cause and encouraged participation.
YMCA Robin Hood Group saw young people in their care build a chicken coop, with Lovell East Midlands contributing £1,000 and five hours of time, alongside expertise from Full On Joinery. This project provided opportunities for skill development and connection with nature.
The Tin Hat Centre in Selston, which offers community services, received the full £1,000 requested from McConnell towards its core running costs, helping it continue to provide essential support amidst rising operating expenses.
The Match My Project platform also includes supplier-led options, where businesses can post resources for community organisations to match against. Further information is available via the EMCCA website.
