We're still collecting donations
On the 21st June 2024 we'd raised £32,769 with 222 supporters in 56 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.
To support people through the cost of living crisis we need your help not just to survive but to thrive!
by Robert Thust in Brighton, Brighton and Hove, United Kingdom
On the 21st June 2024 we'd raised £32,769 with 222 supporters in 56 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.
With a further £15k we would seek to expand our work with young people and families in particular through training and work experience, and expand our food business further, potentially recreate our COVID meals on wheels service for all who may need that locally.
Why we need your help
Help us create a truly sustainable pub for the long term with wide range of activities and support for the local people who really need it during these toughest of times.
We've had tremendous successes at the Bevy for nearly 10 years providing an inclusive place for local people and community groups from every walk of life to meet, find friendship and connection, find work, get new skills, and get a healthy meal.
Our activities combat loneliness, bolster mental health, and alleviate the strain on the NHS. We are the heartbeat of the community, uniting people, uplifting spirits, and ensuring the well-being of local residents.
During the current cost of living crisis the importance of what we offer has never been more important or more needed. But we can only offer all this if we can make enough to keep it going. The economic challenges for the past few years have taken their toll.
We have learnt so much about what works and what doesn't at our pub over the years - what local people want, what does and doesn't work financially. We've had many hard-fought lessons along the way.
We have a plan... and we need your help to realise it. We looking to raise £30,000, with a stretch target of £45,000. For every pound you donate, it will be matched by a further three pounds! And you can earn some fantastic rewards along the way. So if we raise just £7,500 we will reach our £30,000 target. No brainer!
There are three key areas that we want to focus on which we know are untapped potential for us.
Our plan- what we’d use the money for
1. Events & hires
We need to fill the pub with wonderful events, hires & partnerships especially during the times when we are not usually open. We already do lots of this - weekly Zumba classes, hiring out the Bevy kitchen, Brains at the Bevy talks with the university. We could do a whole lot more, and at the same time bring new ideas and new people into the pub all in partnership with our very supportive landlord, the East Brighton Trust (EBT). We need to upgrade some of the spaces - equipment for room hire, noise reduction for meetings - and we need to market this properly, have time to forge new relationships so we get regular bookings and partnerships that will both bring in new funds as well as help us do more social good.
2. Explore options for the Bevy site
We currently lease the pub from East Brighton Trust. Together with EBT we want to work with a professional team to explore realistic and viable options for the future. This requires lots of engagement with local people as well as professional support. But could result in new revenue streams, reduced costs and more long-term certainty.
3. Food
We have a long history of providing healthy food, not least our award-winning Bevy Meals on Wheels service during the COVID lock-down. However, we have struggled to offer healthy food consistently and sustainably especially to the people that matter: our weekly, regular community groups (currently our inclusive disability disco, Thursday kids club & Friday seniors club). We need to raise funds to change that, grow the food offering out from there, and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the whole pub. This will include some equipment, staff training and marketing.
WE NEED YOUR HELP PLEASE DONATE AND SHARE – REMEMBER EVERY POUND WILL BE MATCHED THREE TO ONE
This project offered rewards