HARIBO Happiness Together Fund

HARIBO Happiness Together Fund, in collaboration with Prosper Wakefield 

We’ve entered the second year of our four-year grant programme, in partnership with HARIBO and Prosper Wakefield. 

Successful projects will aim to reduce social isolation and encourage intergenerational friendships and knowledge-sharing. 

In each round, community groups, charities and social enterprises are invited to submit funding applications for projects that will take place within the Wakefield District and will ultimately benefit their local community. 

Why? 

• Within the next few years, 2 million people aged 50 and over in England are projected to be lonely if efforts to tackle loneliness are not made (Age UK, 2018)
• Loneliness has been associated with a 40% increased risk of dementia (Sutin, Stephan, Luchetti, & Terracciano, 2018)
• Research shows that every £1 invested in tackling loneliness can save £3 in health costs (Mcdaid, Bauer, & Park, 2017)
• The World Health Organisation says that adolescents and young adults report feeling lonely more often than older adults

HARIBO wishes to create opportunities for memorable, shared experiences and moments of fun and enjoyment that will ultimately reduce loneliness whilst improving the welfare and wellbeing of local people. 

It’s our belief that both young people (16-24 years) and those of older generations (55+) could learn a lot from each other. Instilling skills such as budgeting and cooking would be of great benefit to young people for example, and many older people would appreciate a greater understanding of the digital world, which is second nature to young people today. 

Jon Hughes, Managing Director of HARIBO UK, says, ‘At HARIBO, we have seen first-hand how bringing generations together to deliver moments of happiness and build friendships can have a positive impact on all involved. 

‘With 600 team members throughout the district, we are really proud of this programme which will address loneliness, build friendships and support our local communities in a fun and exciting way.’ 

Successful Projects 

Successful projects in the first two rounds of the HARIBO Happiness Fund included ‘Tea With a Pony’ sessions, delivered by DIAL Wood Carriage Driving for the Disabled, and a two-year programme of personal safety training sessions open to various minority groups and women of all ages, delivered by Blossom Training and Development.