21 August 2023

Milford Youth Matters open for business thanks to Principality funding

Milford Youth Matters have received a £10,000 donation from Principality Building Society’s Future Generation Fund. The grant will support their new pop-up shop which is run by the youngsters which the charity supports. 

The shop has recently opened in Charles Street, Milford Haven and is open seven days a week. It gives the young people, practical work experience including money handling, budgeting, customer service skills and marketing. The pop-up shop stocks a range of pre-loved school uniform and sportswear, as well as range of new clothing lines which were chosen by the youngsters. There is also access to free sanitary products, as part of the Welsh Government’s Period Dignity Grant.

The Principality Building Society’s Future Generations Fund is a Wales wide fund set up in partnership with Community Foundation Wales with the aim of having a positive impact on society and the lives of young people in Wales. This round of funding saw Principality committing its largest ever donation of £575,000 to 56 community groups and charities across Wales. 

Dayle Gibby, Milford Youth Matters Co-ordinator, said: “We’re delighted to have been successful in our application, this funding is vital for us to be able to continue the work that we do with this great bunch of youngsters. The shop has become a hub for the young people, a safe place that they can come to socialise and learn new skills. It’s great to see their confidence grow, as they realise their own potential and what they can achieve.”

Charlie, aged 14, who has taken immense pride in the pop-up shop project, said: “I’ve been coming to Milford Youth Matters since I was 10, and we always have lots of fun. The pop-up shop has been a great chance to learn what it takes to run a business, deciding on what we’re going to sell, and using social media for marketing. It’s a place where I can come and socialise with my friends, and I’d like to say thank you to Principality for their help with this grant.” 

Tony Smith, Chief Governance Officer at Principality, said: “We were blown away with the calibre of the applications for the second round of the Future Generations Fund. There is amazing work being done every day across the country, by inspirational groups of people, and we’re proud to be able to support these efforts. 

“This is the largest sole funding donation made by Principality in our history and comes after our pledge last year to invest three per cent of our annual profits each year to help vulnerable sections of our communities. We’re proud to be partnering with Community Foundation Wales to strengthen our community programme, reach and impact by using the fund to help those most in need. Given the difficulties of the current financial climate, we feel this is needed now more than ever before. We’re looking forward to hearing all about the developments at the pop-up shop and wish the team at Milford Youth Matters all the very best in their new venture.”

Published: 21/08/2023