Overview
Aviva is proud to take action with local partners and charities to help build financial resilience and employability prospects across Norwich, from increasing digital literacy to providing young people with access to different industries. Aviva has also spearheaded multiple projects to protect green spaces that benefit the local environment and drive positive change in communities.
Improving employability prospects
The Foundry
In 2023, Aviva launched the Foundry - an initiative dedicated to building the region’s digital workforce. The Foundry offers a range of opportunities for Aviva colleagues, local students and businesses to increase their digital literacy – benefitting local businesses and the regional economy. The project is funded and delivered by Aviva, working in partnership with Decoded, a tech education startup.
Future Projects
The Aviva Foundation aims to help people and communities feel in control and positive about their financial futures. The Foundation’s support has helped Future Projects deliver community-based services, including 1-to-1 financial guidance and support, and ‘Money Matters’ radio shows and podcasts. The cost-of-living crisis has intensified the need for the charity’s services. Throughout the project, many individuals have received direct one-to-one support to overcome extreme financial hardship and are now better able to support themselves and their families. A portal was also developed to help local people to find the right service for their needs.
YMCA Norfolk and Your Own Place
The Aviva Foundation has made contributions to Norwich through its Future Chances Fund. This fund aims to improve the employability of young people facing barriers due to inequality and discrimination. In Norwich, the funding supports two key charities:
YMCA Norfolk’s ‘Work Ready’ programme provides participants with invaluable opportunities to gain practical skills, explore various industries, and develop a deeper understanding of their career interests and aspirations. This builds on the foundation of the YMCA’s existing ‘Life Ready’ programme to further enrich the development of young individuals.
Your Own Place is a social enterprise that seeks to equip individuals at risk of homelessness with financial knowledge, skills, and support networks to improve their independence and confidence at any stage of their social or private renting tenancy journey.
The Brewkery
The Aviva Community Fund (ACF) continues to support local projects and initiatives in the Norwich area to help improve financial resilience and employability prospects and protect and restore nature. In 2024, the ACF supported a local not-for-profit social enterprise, the Equal Brewkery. The Brewkery is a baking and brewing company that supports people getting back into work, particularly those with physical or mental disabilities, by passing on vital workplace skills. Through the ACF, they raised enough money for a new site and were supported by Aviva colleagues who volunteered their time to help design and build the new building.
Protecting and restoring nature
Nature Norwich
Even when green space is nearby, it’s not always easy to get to. For some, there are barriers in the way. They can be financial, practical or physical. Yet just 20 minutes in nature can boost your mental wellbeing. WWF, Aviva and Norfolk Rivers Trust gave funding to help community groups in Norfolk connect with nature. The fund supports local community groups and charities to organise trips and activities that connect people with nature. Over 800 people, from more than 25 groups took part in the first round of the Fund from across Norfolk, all dedicated to driving positive change in their communities.
Sweet Briar Marshes
In 2022, Aviva pledged up to £300,000 in match funding to help purchase and protect Sweet Briar Marshes. Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s vision was to protect and enhance the site for the city, its wildlife and residents. It is also Aviva’s ambition to ensure this space thrives as a hub for both the education and the well-being of the wider community through appreciation of the natural world. In 2023/2024 more than 100 Aviva colleagues volunteered at Sweet Briar Marshes, working on scrub clearance, removing invasive species and habitat restoration.
Riverscape East Anglia project
Since 2021, WWF and Aviva have been working together to restore UK landscapes and build healthier and more resilient communities. Being a coastal and low-lying county – coupled with ongoing urbanisation, the intensification of agriculture and modification of watercourses – Norfolk is particularly vulnerable to flooding. According to the Norfolk Resilience Forum, 42,500 properties are potentially at risk of flooding. Aviva partnered with the WWF and Norfolk Rivers Trust to support natural flood management projects, including the Riverscape East Anglia project. This project aims to reduce the effects of extreme weather and enhance flood resilience in local communities.
Green Farm Norfolk
Working with our partner, the Woodland Trust, Aviva colleagues are volunteering to help create new woodland for wildlife and people to enjoy. The Woodland Trust has acquired Green Farm in Norfolk, a 119-hectare site to be transformed into a mosaic of broadleaved woodland, wood pasture, grassland and hedgerows in the heart of the county where Aviva began.
Read more about our work here:
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