Looking back at what communities, businesses and the East Midlands Combined County Authority have made possible together

September marks one year since the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) joined Match My Project.

Chaired by the Mayor of the East Midlands, EMCCA brings together Derbyshire County Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Derby City Council and Nottingham City Council through a single devolution deal. Its work covers some of the region’s biggest priorities, from transport and housing to skills, economic growth and the environment.

Alongside that long-term work, community organisations across the region are finding practical ways to make a difference locally.

One year on, here are some of the projects that have led to the delivery of Social Value.

Growing the next generation of Sherwood trees

Sherwood Forest Trust runs a community tree nursery where a staff member and eight regular volunteers collect seed from Sherwood’s native trees and grow it on for new and restored woodland.

After a mast year, the team collected more than 30,000 acorns. 

The nursery needed more capacity to grow the young oak trees, but did not have the budget for the timber needed to build additional raised beds.

TalarMade Ltd contributed £508 towards the timber and fittings, alongside five hours of volunteering time. The Trust could then expand the nursery and make use of the acorns already collected.

The nursery is also a place for people to get involved. Around 50 people are expected to volunteer there each year, with a further 200-plus reached through schools and learning events.

The Sherwood Forest Trust described the contribution as “such a helpful contribution to growing more Sherwood Forest native trees with the community who live here.”

The project has also opened the door to an ongoing relationship, with TalarMade already in touch with the Trust about future fundraising opportunities.

Keeping clothing in the community

 Sharewear Clothing Scheme provides free clothing to people experiencing clothing poverty across the East Midlands. It works with around 250 local agencies and charities that refer people for support, as well as 130 outreach organisations that receive clothing.

Last year alone, Sharewear recorded more than 23,000 clothing interventions, supporting more than 9,000 people.

The organisation relies on a steady supply of good-quality clothing, shoes, towels and bedding. Its work also keeps usable items in circulation, with 86 tonnes of clothing donated for reuse in its original purpose over the previous year.

Its Match My Project request was deliberately open, looking for surplus stock, end-of-line items, returns and other good-quality products that could be passed on to people who needed them.

EMCCA responded with a clothing donation. The contribution included many individual donations, building a reliable supply that can be distributed through Sharewear’s network.

Sharewear thanked the authority for the donation and the care taken to get the items to them.

Giving young people a reason to get involved

The Will Garvey Trust Foundation works to prevent young suicide through early intervention. Its work includes Wellbeing Libraries, Wellbeing Care Packs and workshops for schools, colleges and youth groups. When the Trust requested 20 branded running vests, the aim was to support young people fundraising for the charity. The vests gave runners something to wear and a visible connection to the cause they were supporting. They also helped encourage young people to take part in running events, spend time outdoors and build a sense of community around the charity’s work.

McConnell supplied the vests, alongside an hour of time. 

“Thank you so much for supporting WTF. The running vests look amazing and our runners will be proud to wear them with the logo so prominent. We’re incredibly grateful.” 

The Will Gavey Trust Foundation expressed gratitude. 

A chicken coop designed around what children asked for

At YMCA Robin Hood Group, a project began with a request from children and young people themselves.

One of the organisation’s homes in Nottinghamshire supports children and young people in care. They wanted to build a chicken coop, creating an opportunity to learn practical skills, take responsibility for animals and spend time connecting with nature.

The YMCA needed construction expertise as well as materials. Lovell East Midlands contributed £1,000 and five hours of time, working with specialist joiner Jamie from Full On Joinery to bring the idea to life. YMCA thanked Lovells for donating a chicken coop, which was specifically requested by the young people in their care. The donation, made just before Easter, added something special to the project.  

This gave the young people opportunities to develop communication, teamwork, confidence and practical construction skills along the way.

Supporting the organisations that keep communities going

The Tin Hat Centre in Selston has 24 years of experience providing community services. It offers a place for people to meet, access support, find affordable food, receive advice and take part in community activities.

Its request on Match My Project was for £1,000 towards core running costs, including staffing, utilities, insurance and everyday expenses.

With rising operating costs and less access to unrestricted funding, that support would help the centre continue its work in the local community.

McConnell provided the full £1,000 requested.

The Tin Hat Centre said the contribution helped it continue providing essential services and support, and praised the communication throughout the process.

Looking ahead

The East Midlands has ambitious plans for the future, from inclusive economic growth and better infrastructure to greener communities and regeneration. These ambitions also depend on the organisations in local places and the relationships that help them turn ideas into action.

Over the past year, the projects shared through the EMCCA’s site on Match My Project have offered a glimpse of what that can look like on the ground.

Here’s to more matches!

About Match My Project

Match My Project connects community organisations with local businesses to deliver Social Value. To find out more, contact hello@matchmyproject.org.