Local charity carries on in 2020 and looks ahead to 2021
In spite of the pandemic and all its consequences, the Market Harborough and the Bowdens Charity (MHBC) has continued its work throughout 2020. This year marked 450 years since the first mention of one of the charities that make up MHBC. As the result of the legacies that established the charity, we are able to provide help for individuals and organisations in Market Harborough, Great Bowden and Little Bowden.
The area that we serve is virtually the only limitation on the projects that we can support, and MHBC has a proud record of helping individuals in need, sports clubs, the arts, education, health and a variety of other projects in the community.
One of the first grants to be announced this year went to VASL, an organisation that has proved invaluable this year, and which has a long association with MHBC. The money was provided to cover its running costs. The charity also supports its transport scheme and mental health project.
The area of mental health is likely to continue to be a priority for 2021. Earlier this year the Charity provided funding for a trial provision of a mental health facilitator at the Market Harborough Medical Centre, and such initiatives will become even more vital going forward.
In fact, health in general – aside from the pandemic – has not been neglected in 2020. MHBC is part of the Harborough Locality Integrated Leadership Team, (HLILT) and is working alongside health and social care authorities as well as voluntary organisations to improve health of individuals at home, to encourage smarter working of the care community and identify gaps and overlaps.
Sports and outdoor activities play an important part in delivering our community’s good health. Local clubs supported by MHBC in recent times include Harborough Town Football Club, Harborough Cricket Club and most recently Harborough Squash and Racketball Club with the launch of their new Padel Tennis Courts. Earlier this year we were also able to help Little Bowden Bowls Club to replace its bowling green.
MHBC has a long history of helping local students as they leave school and go into further education, at university or taking vocational courses. This year more than £130,000 was provided to individuals. At the same time our scheme to support local schools through non-core activities continued to bear fruit in the shape of projects such as Little Bowden Primary School’s work in the area of social, emotional and mental health.
2021 will undoubtedly be a challenging year as our community tries to get back to normal existence for individuals, families, carers and organisations in the arts and sports. We know that there will be many calls on the support we can give, but we want to talk anybody who believes we can help.
See our website for further information, email admin@mhbcharity.co.uk, or ring 01858 419128.
