Accelerating Change Across Wales with the WPA Community Benefit Fund
Project name: Codi Group Independent Living Support
Charity/Partner Name: Codi Group (formerly known as Pobl Group)
Location: Wales
Amount Secured: £40,000
About the Project
The WPA Community Benefit Fund reinvests funds generated by the Welsh Procurement Alliance (WPA) back into local communities. Working alongside Community Foundation Wales and the WPA Executive Committee, they ensure that these funds make maximum local impact to those in need.
For over five years, Codi Group (previously known as Pobl Group) has partnered with WPA in a unified vision that enhances the quality of life and provides meaningful opportunities across Wales.
This year, Codi Group doubled their project funding, enabling them to support 103 community-led initiatives. This funding supports Codi Group's ongoing commitment to providing homes that are specifically designed to meet the needs of residents, creating lasting social impact throughout Wales. Through their ground-up approach, one of Codi Group’s initiatives implements new technologies within homes that empower people to live independently.
Supporting Independent Living
The Tappi Project is just one of the projects that was covered by part of the £40k grant. The key focus of this initiative is to invest in adaptive technology that enables residents who usually struggle with day-to-day tasks, to perform these with ease. This provides them with the independence they wouldn’t have had previously. With funding from the WPA Community Benefit Fund, Codi Group has been able to integrate cutting-edge solutions into homes, ensuring residents can live comfortably, safely, and with greater autonomy.
The project aims to improve the independence and quality of life for residents who may otherwise face barriers to independent living. The adoption of modern technology in homes makes a significant difference, allowing individuals to remain in their own homes with greater confidence and comfort.
Creating Social Value
Codi Group has set specific criteria for granting support to communities across Wales, with a focus on the following areas:
- Connecting Communities
- Physical and Mental Health
- Environmental Protection and Human Wellness
- Efficient Living
Lynne Whistance, Trustee and Inclusion and Technology Officer for Codi Group, has identified a growing need to support individuals with diverse needs, to live independently. However, the challenge was adapting homes with modern technology to ensure safety, functionality, and independence for all residents.
Social Value Impact
The integration of adaptive technology has significantly improved daily life for many residents. Some of the key innovations introduced include:
Kitchen Aid with Raised Edges: Helps residents with impaired mobility make meals independently, such as making a sandwich with ease and safety.
Voice-Activated Scales: Aids those with visual impairments or difficulty reading by vocalising weight measurements.
Toothpaste Dispenser: Allows residents to apply their own toothpaste, helping maintain personal hygiene without relying on assistance from others.
Medication Pen: Provides residents with the ability to open and administer their own medication, enabling them to live a safer and more fulfilling life.
These innovations have a profound impact on individuals' daily lives, making them more independent, efficient, and happier.
Legacy and Future Plans
Looking ahead, Codi Group envisions creating homes from the ground up that are specifically designed to meet the individual needs of residents. This proactive approach would reduce the need for future funding applications or rehoming, which often disrupts residents' lives. The goal is to build adaptive homes from the outset, ensuring a smoother, more sustainable transition for people who need support to live independently.
The partnership between Codi Group and WPA has proven to be a catalyst for positive change across Wales, supporting over 100 initiatives and transforming lives through adaptive technology and community engagement. By focusing on long-term, sustainable solutions, this initiative has created a lasting legacy that will continue to support independent living for years to come.
Codi Group’s vision of building homes that adapt to the specific needs of residents from the outset has set the stage for a future where independent living is achievable for all.
Benefits Delivered:
The partnership between Codi Group and WPA has supported Codi Group in achieving their overall goals and objectives as well, leading to measurable, positive outcomes across Wales. Key achievements include:
Main Funding Rounds
- 198 applications received from community groups and organisations across Wales.
- 103 projects successfully funded - more than double the number of successful applications compared to previous years.
- £68,860 allocated across Wales to community projects.
Move-On Grants
- 27 individuals supported in setting up their new homes.
- £6,750 allocated towards these grants, helping individuals transition into independent living.
Special Projects
- £70,000 allocated to Cwtch Mawr.
- £16,500 allocated to the Wellbeing Post initiative.
Seasonal Campaigns
- £10,000 dedicated to circus workshops for schools.
- £4,400 provided to support older people facing financial hardship during Christmas.
- £3,600 allocated for the Spring into Harvest Campaign.
- 200 families supported with Christmas toy donations.
Testimonials:
“We’ve supported organisations all across Wales. We have criteria in our funding rounds, and they need to hit one of the themes - Connecting the Communities, Physical & Mental Health, Environmental Protection Agency & Human Wellness and Efficient Living”
--- Lynne Whistance, Codi Group’s Trustee & Inclusion and Technology Officer
Contact Us and Find Out More: To learn more about how WPA can support your next project, use this link.
Assets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4CRJ0Za_ac