seolounge
Welcome to the June edition of Charity Buzz!
As summer begins to bloom, we’re back with another issue of our bi-monthly newsletter, your go-to guide for what’s happening across the charity and non-profit sector.
Whether you’re a fundraiser, volunteer, trustee or a small-but-mighty team juggling multiple hats, we’ve pulled together a mix of ideas, opportunities and inspiring updates to support the work you do and the communities you serve.
From fresh funding sources to spotlight stories, sector news to digital tips, there’s plenty to discover. So, grab a cuppa and take a few moments for yourself. Let’s keep building momentum and making an impact together.
News Bytes
Check out this edition’s News Bytes blog post by clicking on the below link:
Every issue we will highlight a different entity that offers charity grants. This month’s Grab a Grant website is The Paul Hamlyn Foundation, a long standing organisation that backs people and projects working towards a fairer, more equal society.
The Foundation provides grants to charities and non-profits that use the arts, education or culture to improve lives, particularly for people who are often overlooked or facing disadvantage. This includes children and young people, migrants and refugees and communities dealing with social and economic hardship.
What sets them apart is their flexible and thoughtful approach to funding. They’re open to supporting new and creative ideas, whether that’s testing a fresh way of delivering services or finding better ways to include people whose voices often go unheard. They offer a mix of funding options, including project grants, core funding for day to day costs and long term support for organisations with a clear mission and ambition for impact.
Their current funding priorities include helping more people access and take part in the arts, supporting creative approaches to learning both in and outside of school, backing work that improves the lives of young people from migrant backgrounds and strengthening youth voice and leadership.
If your organisation is trying out something different or looking to grow a project that’s already making an impact, The Paul Hamlyn Foundation could be a great fit. They’re not just ticking boxes. They’re genuinely interested in what works and how they can help make it happen.
Visit their website to find out what funding is available now and how to apply:
https://www.phf.org.uk/funding
If you want to find out more information about grants in general, who is eligible and how to apply for a grant, read our June 2023 Issue article, by clicking here.
Every issue we select a Charity to feature in our newsletter. This month, we’re shining a light on StreetVet, a volunteer-powered, award-winning charity that delivers free veterinary care to the pets of people experiencing homelessness across the UK.
Founded in 2016 and inspired by the unbreakable bond between a man living on the streets and his loyal dog, StreetVet was created to ensure that no companion animal goes without vital healthcare, simply because their owner is homeless.
Many of StreetVet’s patients have been with their owners since before they lost their homes. For others, the responsibility of caring for a pet arrived later, sometimes unexpectedly. However, the depth of that connection is always profound. For those living rough or in temporary accommodation, their pets provide companionship, safety, routine and a deep sense of purpose. In many cases, a pet’s wellbeing becomes a life-shaping priority.
However, accessing basic vet care while homeless is extremely challenging. StreetVet bridges that gap by taking veterinary services out of the consulting room and onto the streets. Their network of qualified vets and vet nurses, working alongside outreach organisations, regularly provide health checks, vaccinations, flea and worm treatments, pain relief, wound care, dental work and even surgeries, all at no cost to the owner.
Since launching, the charity has helped over 2,500 animals including dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets and more. But StreetVet offers more than just medical support. They also provide daily essentials like leads, food, blankets and toys and support pet owners through education, follow-up care and emotional reassurance. Sometimes, their volunteers simply sit and listen.
A standout initiative is the StreetVet Accredited Hostel Scheme, which works to increase the number of pet-friendly temporary accommodations. With training and policy support, the charity helps hostels welcome residents with their pets, ensuring no one has to choose between shelter and their companion.
StreetVet is a registered veterinary practice with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and is supported by a growing network of professionals and partners. Their work is entirely funded by donations and made possible thanks to the generosity of supporters, fundraisers and volunteers across the UK.
Any support can make a real difference, whether by donating funds, buying from their Amazon Wishlist, sponsoring a challenge, volunteering, or even flagging a pet in need of care.
To find out more or get involved, visit streetvet.org.uk
As well as highlighting a different charity in every issue, we are also including the report of an inspirational person, in our “Reach to Achieve” segment.
This edition features Matilda “Tilly” Lockey, a remarkable young woman whose resilience, innovation and determination are redefining what it means to live and thrive with a disability.
The Teenager Redefining Disability Through Tech and Tenacity
Too often, disability comes with assumptions, but Tilly Lockey is challenging every one of them. With strength, creativity and a fearless sense of self, she’s showing the world what’s possible.
At 19 years old, Tilly has already faced and overcome more than most people do in a lifetime. When she was just 15 months old, she contracted meningococcal septicaemia, a life-threatening infection that led to the amputation of both her hands and toes. For her parents, it was every family’s worst nightmare, and for Tilly, it marked the beginning of a journey that would demand extraordinary resilience. But instead of being defined by what she lost, she chose to focus on everything she could do and that mindset has taken her to some incredible places.
From a young age, Tilly refused to see her disability as a limitation. Her energy, curiosity and creativity soon caught the attention of Open Bionics, a UK-based company pioneering affordable bionic limbs. At the age of 9, she became one of the first children in the world to receive a 3D-printed Hero Arm, a lightweight, multi-grip prosthetic arm inspired by superhero designs. More than just a tool, the Hero Arm gave her a boost in confidence and helped her express her individuality in bold new ways.
From Superhero Arms to Supercharged Advocacy
Tilly’s bionic arms have featured custom designs inspired by Marvel’s Iron Man and the sci-fi film Alita: Battle Angel. These striking designs helped challenge how people perceive prosthetics, not just as medical devices but as personal statements. At the Alita premiere, she even walked the blue carpet with actress Rosa Salazar and director James Cameron, showing the world that difference can be stylish and strong.
Tilly’s online presence has played a big part in shifting attitudes. Her social media channels offer honest, often funny insights into her life with limb difference. She’s not afraid to share her challenges or frustrations, from bullying to everyday struggles with accessibility. But her openness has made her a role model for many, particularly young people with disabilities who see her embracing life fully and fearlessly.
Her impact reaches beyond social platforms. She’s a global ambassador for Open Bionics and regularly speaks at events, including TEDx. She’s presented for CBBC, appeared on Blue Peter, Saturday Mash Up and even won Got What It Takes? More recently, she’s branched into broadcasting, hosting her own radio show and training with Capital. Her enthusiasm and natural flair have made her a rising star in the media.
Tilly’s connection to MediaCity in Salford, where she’s taken part in many creative and broadcasting projects, has also been central to her journey. She credits the community’s energy and ambition with helping her grow her confidence and ambition further. Whether she’s filming, speaking or showcasing her latest customised bionic designs at London Fashion Week, Tilly is rewriting what’s possible for people with disabilities.
Tilly is clear that she doesn’t want to be anyone’s inspiration just for existing with prosthetics. What sets her apart is her determination to be seen for who she truly is.
A funny, fashion-loving music fan who just happens to be bionic.
In her words: “I want other kids to know it’s okay to be different. You can be bionic, you can be bold and you can be proud.”
Tilly’s story is one of perseverance, innovation and self-expression. It’s not just about overcoming adversity, it’s about owning your identity and using your platform to drive change. Through her work, she’s helping create a future where disability is not hidden or minimised but celebrated.
Her journey reminds us that success doesn’t always come from breaking records or climbing mountains. Sometimes, it’s about turning up every day, choosing confidence over comparison and showing others they too can Reach to Achieve.
(Photos: Tilly Lockey Instagram)
Do you know someone going above and beyond for a cause close to their heart? Let us know! They could be featured in our next Reach to Achieve segment.
