Andrea Gilling, a Nationwide employee and volunteer at Activate’s inclusive performance group The Remix, has secured a £10,000 grant for the group.
Andrea initially started her volunteering journey with us as part of Nationwide’s initiative to encourage employees to support local causes. They offer their staff up to 14 hours each year to volunteer in their local communities during work time. She loved it so much that she continued volunteering in her own time and hasn’t looked back since!
As an employee of Nationwide Andrea was able to apply for their Colleague Grant Programme. Applications can be made for £2,000-£10,000 and must meet one of the following criteria: Fairer futures, champion thriving communities, protecting financial wellbeing, supporting progress towards a greener society, reflecting the diversity of our society.
We are delighted the maximum grant of £10,000 was secured. This will be used to engage professional artists to lead future creative sessions, pay for accessible venue hire, and for care staff to support the young people at the sessions.
From left to right: Natalya, Stanley, Angela, Andrea, Tess, Oliver, Miki and Luke
Andrea says, “The joy in seeing the young people engage with the creative team in the workshops and having the opportunity to perform alongside their neurotypical and neurodivergent peers across the county is what keeps me coming back as a volunteer. I feel privileged to be involved and join in the fun, it’s truly inspiring to see them grow as performers! I’m thrilled to have been successful in obtaining a Nationwide Building Society Colleague Grant for The Remix project, to help make performing arts accessible for all young people across Dorset, regardless of their experience or background.”
This year Nationwide has donated over £1.4 million to over 160 charities. We’re thrilled that The Remix joins this group and will benefit hugely from this grant.
Jude Allen, The Remix Project Manager says, “Andrea is a fantastic volunteer and has supported our young people by giving her time, and now by applying for this grant on our behalf. £10,000 is a huge amount of money for us and means our programme of inclusive performance and creative activities can continue for The Remix, The Premix and The Originals.”
Andrea dancing with members of The Remix
