In communities across the UK, remarkable stories of collaboration and positive change are unfolding.

At Match My Project, we’re privileged to witness firsthand how local initiatives can spark transformation and bring people together. As summer draws to a close, we want to shine a spotlight on some inspiring projects that exemplify the power of community action.

From vibrant carnivals to neighborhood clean-ups, these case studies showcase the diverse ways in which local organisations and businesses are joining forces to create meaningful impact. Each story demonstrates how Match My Project serves as a catalyst, connecting resources with needs and turning visions into reality.

Lets celebrate these local heroes and reflect on how we can all be better neighbours.

Summer Sports Day – Good Neighbours and Purdy Contracts 

Good Neighbours comprises a group of neighbours from the Coldbath and Orchard estate (Greenwich) and surrounding areas. 

The idea began with Anne Duncan, who has lived on the estate for 30 years. After lockdown, she noticed that there were no children playing and engaging with others around the estate. She wondered where they had gone, and decided to put on an event for them. 

She quickly realised that they were very much still around, but that there was just nothing for them to come and socialise for. From there Good Neighbours was born – with a mission to bring back the community spirit. They aim to improve mental wellness and community cohesion by running inclusive social events for children and young people that restore pride in the community. 

Jay Duncan from Good Neighbours said that since the birth of Good Neighbours, the support they have received has been ‘amazing’. They have been overwhelmed by the support from the local community, their local councillor Pat Slattery, local businesses and Match My Project. They can already see the changes in the community and Anne is in the process of becoming a Greenwich housing champion! 

Jay also said that Match My Project has been of tremendous support to the growth of the Good Neighbours events. They said that the support the organisation has received has contributed to over 300 attendees thus far, and without Match My Project it would be nearly impossible to have achieved the growth that they have. Receiving support with areas such as toilet facilities and volunteers is of huge importance to the organisation, and would otherwise be at a large cost to Good Neighbours.

Jay said “For me MMP is like a blessing sent from heaven and we are very grateful for the support we get to help build and grow our community.”

This summer, Good Neighbours hosted a community summer event. They matched with Purdy Contracts, a well-established mechanical, electrical, building services and renewable energy contractor,  to deliver this project.

Purdy contributed 35 volunteering hours to assist at the event. 

This is what Purdy had to say about the day:

“Good Neighbours are amazing and we were honoured to volunteer at their summer event. It was fantastic to see children and their families fully enjoying the bouncy castle, swimming pools, face painting and many more activities. They even provided free ice creams for the children which was a special treat and thoroughly enjoyed. We all had smiles on our faces and enjoyed every minute of the day and would love to return for their Halloween and Christmas events.”

Clapham Park Funday Carnival – MTVH South London and PiLON

At the heart of every thriving community lies collaboration and creativity. This was beautifully exemplified at the recent Clapham Park fun day. Match My Project played a key role in bringing together local talent, businesses, and residents to create an unforgettable celebration of community spirit.

The event was a kaleidoscope of activities, from face painting and arts and crafts to the mesmerising ‘Tree of Life’ character by Mandinga Arts. Local artisans showcased their skills, offering handcrafted goods that reflected the rich diversity of the neighbourhood. But what truly set this day apart was the vibrant carnival procession, made possible through the innovative use of Match My Project.

MTVH used Match My Project to secure funding from PiLON, a refurbishment and maintenance contractor. This collaboration enabled a resident to host costume-making workshops in the lead-up to the fun day. Working alongside three youth providers and Autism Voice, the project expanded to include more young people, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Over 30 young participants designed and created costumes, props, and stilts, learning valuable skills in sewing, building, and teamwork along the way. The generous funding provided by PiLON through Match My Project covered essential materials and volunteer expenses, ensuring that creativity could flourish without financial constraints.

As the carnival procession made its way through the fun day, it became clear that Match My Project had facilitated more than just a colorful display. It had fostered a sense of pride, accomplishment, and community cohesion. 

Even the Mayor was amazed by the talent and sheer scale of the event, commenting that it was “one of the best fun days [he’d] ever attended.”

An MTVH representative echoed this sentiment: 

“The sun shone, the children were smiling and the community really enjoyed themselves. The dance group were incredible and your support meant that young people were able to dazzle the community with colourful, vibrant costumes and props!”

Safer Streets: The Nightingales Community Clear-up Day – SNG Projects and Service Master

The SNG Projects Team recently used Match My Project to facilitate a community clear-up day with the aim of both cleaning up the local area and fostering a stronger sense of community cohesion.

The day involved the Greenham Community Centre and Berkshire Youth, who delivered activities for children and hosted several local community partners to showcase what they do in their communities. The Police and Fire Service also attended to engage with the public and provide advice.

For the clear-up activities, the local authority, SNG, volunteers, children and a local green group all worked together to pick up litter across the estate. These organisations were also joined by SNG supplier, Service Master, a cleaning contractor, who made vehicles available to help collect and dispose of heavier unwanted items such as white goods and furniture. 

Overall, the day was a success with the benefit clear to see both from a clear-up perspective and a community engagement perspective, and everyone involved enjoyed some pizza, hot and cold drinks and fruit.

SNG Community Investment and Partnership Lead Darryl MacAndrew stated:

“This was the second of three community clear-up events on this estate. It was great to have nicer weather this time but ultimately it was another successful event with the community coming together to help assist with the clear-up, engage with the community centre and community partners or both. Although this is a small cog in a big machine in regard to the community investment being channelled into this estate – it is a vital cog in that it gives the community the chance to make positive changes where they live and feel proud where they live”.

Multiplying Impact

These stories demonstrate how small acts can lead to big impact. At Match My Project, we are proud to play a role in connecting local organisations with the resources and support they need to uplift their communities.

Whether you are a business looking to maximise your community impact or a grassroots organisation seeking to expand your reach, Match My Project is here to help. Read our top five tips for suppliers here or our top five tips for community organisations here!

We would love to hear from you – get in touch with us at hello@matchmyproject.org.