Aurie Styla (Charity Times Awards host), Surwat Sohail (CEO, Roshni Birmingham), Shaila Pervez (Manager, Roshni Birmingham), Ellie Patey (Community Engagement Manager, National Grid), Andrei Yusfin (CEO, Localgiving)
National Grid Electricity Distribution’s long-standing work with Localgiving and charities in the West Midlands has been recognised at the Charity Times Awards, with the organisations taking home a trophy alongside Roshni Birmingham, a charity based on Soho Road in Handsworth.
The Charity Times Awards celebrates best practice in the UK charity and not-for-profit sector. The Corporate Community Local Involvement award was given for the collaboration in supporting Roshni through last year’s winter with a grant from National Grid’s Community Matters Fund. Since its launch in 2021, the Community Matters Fund has awarded £10.8 million to grassroots organisations across the Midlands, the South West and South Wales.
Roshni, one of the recipients of the fund, supports black and minoritised communities affected by domestic abuse, including forced marriage and honour-based abuse. Set up in 1979, the organisation is a leading source of support for survivors through their journey to safety, confidence, and independence to live free from violence, abuse, and fear.
Last winter, Roshni received a £10,000 grant from National Grid, and with this funding was able to purchase new duvets and fleeces for every resident on arrival, and refurbish thirteen rooms with new soft furnishings and thick curtains that retain heat, making the space brighter and more welcoming for those who need support.
By alleviating the financial pressure of equipping new accommodation, the grant was able to provide warmth and comfort to those seeking refuge last winter.
Speaking after the ceremony, Surwat Sohail, CEO and Shaila Pervez, Manager of Roshni Birmingham said:
“We are thrilled to have won this prestigious award. This recognition is a testament to our dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in our community. Please join us in celebrating this incredible achievement and together, we can continue to make a difference.
“We extend our sincere thanks to Localgiving and National Grid for nominating us. Your support and belief in our mission inspire us to work even harder. This recognition motivates us to continue making a positive impact in our community.”
Ellie Patey, Community Engagement Manager at National Grid Electricity Distribution, said:
“We are over the moon to have won a Charity Times Award, particularly given the very high calibre of projects in our category. It was a privilege to be among such wonderful causes and organisations.
“The team at Roshni Birmingham provide people in their community with a beacon of hope in the most difficult of times, and we are incredibly proud of the support we’ve been able to provide Roshni and hundreds of other brilliant grassroots charities through our Community Matters Fund.”
The grant was promoted and managed by Localgiving who, since 2012, has connected grassroots organisations with donations, grants, resources and support, helping thousands of UK community groups thrive. With a focus on bringing digital solutions to even the smallest of groups, Localgiving have recently rolled out a new AI tool to further support fundraising and supercharge grant applications.
Andrei Yusfin, CEO of Localgiving, added:
“At our heart is supporting groups rooted in communities, and Roshni Birmingham does truly amazing work in aiding people and families in some of the most challenging circumstances possible.
“Big impacts can’t happen without real partnerships, and that’s what we have built with National Grid through the Community Matters Fund. We are incredibly proud of our work together. It was an inspirational night and a real privilege to see our work spotlighted. We’re excited to keep supporting more amazing groups like Roshni in the coming years.”
For more information, please visit National Grid's website.