Lauren Howlett at Urban Foundry has been working with people, start-ups and organisations to help them turn good ideas into values-driven projects and businesses. This has led to some successful funding applications – beneficiaries range from a young footballer starting her own business, to a project helping minority and disadvantaged groups access hands-on STEM opportunities.
Urban Foundry has years of experience supporting people through funding applications. From simple signposting and hands-on guidance to working closely with someone to shape and write a full application. This often starts with a workshop, such as a theory of change session, to pin down goals, audience and mission.
Lauren says, “We’re thrilled (an overused word, but we really are) to have seen a run of recent successes in this area. We understand the realities of running values-driven work and what it takes to deliver purpose-led projects day to day. That means we can have open, practical conversations about support from the start and focus on what will move an idea forward. We help with clarity and process early on, so people can get on with delivering the work.”
Below are some of those success stories, shared in the words of the people themselves.
Bethan McGowan – B8 Ballers
www.b8ballers.co.uk
“I met Lauren and Ben at one of their First Tuesday Club sessions. My whole life has been about football, so starting a business felt 
quite weird and scary and I didn’t really know where to start. They gave me so much constructive advice and helped me turn it into a clear actionable list.
First, they introduced me to Swansea Council, who talked me through their Pre-Start Business Grant. Huge thanks to Ed and Matt from Swansea Council, who were brilliant. Lauren then invited me to a funding fair organised by Julie James, which included a really practical session on what funders actually want you to ask for. I can’t explain how helpful that was.
Lauren also introduced me to Lucy Turtle at the King’s Trust, which led to £500 to test trade my idea. I’m now working with Lucy to explore funding to expand the business further. Finally, Lauren signposted me to SWEF Business Grants for Young Entrepreneurs, and I’ve just found out I’ve been successful with a £500 grant to help test trade my weekly sessions.
All of this support has meant I’ve been able to launch properly and professionally. I can run this alongside my playing career and make sure girls locally have access to professional coaching that addresses mindset as well as skills. Urban Foundry has also given me access to one of their spaces to run a fitness class. I’m honestly so happy and excited.”
Chris Allton – Oriel Science, Swansea University
www.orielscience.co.uk
“Working with Ben and Lauren at Urban Foundry on our National Lottery ‘Awards for All’ bid was a gamechanger for Oriel Science. They helped us really define what we were trying to achieve and sharpen up how we explained it. Lauren spent time with our team to rework the bid so it reflected our mission to bring STEM to communities across Swansea, and Ben supported every step from the early idea to the finished application.
The funding, over £13,000, will help us continue to put hands-on science where people are – on the high street and in public spaces. We want to encourage everyone to see science as something for them. It’s exactly the kind of support we needed to guarantee the longevity of what we do.”
Helen Rhodes – Swansea Pottery Collective
www.potterycollective.co.uk
“We’re a Swansea-based community pottery collective offering subscriptions, workshops and support for local ceramic beginners and 
artists. Working with Urban Foundry on our National Lottery bid was incredibly helpful. They supported us to clearly define our objectives and reshape the application so it properly reflected the community impact of what we’re building.
That support played a big part in securing £20,000 of funding to equip and establish a new pottery studio, helping us move the project forward with confidence.
It’s also been lovely having Hannah and Susie from Urban Foundry involved on a personal level too – they both come along to the pottery sessions and really understand the value of what we’re creating.”
If you have an idea you want to turn into a funded project, or you’re unsure where to start with an application, come along to First Tuesday Club at Urban HQ, 10am-12pm, on the first Tuesday of every month.
