On the ground in Plymouth: Creating ripples of change through repayable grants 

Blog post by Nhung Phung, Communications and Impact Officer, The Rank Foundation

Plymouth, known for its maritime history and vibrant communities, is home to a network of innovative social enterprises that are transforming local life. Last week, I had the privilege of travelling to this beautiful coastal city, where I joined Phil (our Associate Director for Plymouth) and Caroline (our Deputy CEO) to meet some of the remarkable organisations supported through our repayable grants programme. By leveraging the programme’s favourable loan conditions, these organisations are tackling social, environmental, and economic issues head-on to create ripples of impact in their communities.  

Our Rank Network is thriving in Plymouth. What struck me most during this visit was the city’s strong sense of community. The friendliness and passion for making a difference were palpable at every organisation we visited: Trevi, Pollenize CIC, Nudge Community Builders, and Four Greens Community Trust.  

Trevi: A lifeline for vulnerable women and children 

Our first stop was Trevi, a women’s charity that provides safe spaces for women and their children to recover from trauma, particularly those affected by domestic violence, substance misuse, and mental health challenges.  

The first thing that caught my eye was the vibrant atmosphere of Trevi’s office, known as the Sunflower Centre. Decorated with cheerful sunflower motifs, the space was as bright and welcoming as the staff who greeted us. Hayley, Victoria, and Laura made us feel right at home with their genuine warmth and enthusiasm. 

Trevi received £65,000 from our repayable grants programme to help purchase Blossom House, a key part of their strategy to create a dedicated space for. This investment, along with additional funding, enabled them to buy and refurbish the property. 

Blossom House, named with the same care as Trevi’s other services like the Jasmine Mother & Child Centre, Daffodil Family Centre, and the Sunflower Women’s Centre, serves as a vital refuge where women can find rest, peace, and security while taking positive steps in their journey of recovery from trauma and abuse. Without this space, many women would be trapped in unsafe environments and face ongoing risks of domestic violence, substance misuse, and homelessness. Blossom Women’s House also offers a range of activities and interventions to help women build the skills and social connections needed to thrive in the community. 

Reflecting on their experience, Hayley emphasised how crucial the repayable grant was to their success: “Without that catalyst from Rank, we wouldn’t have achieved this level of success. The funding wasn’t just about the money; it was about the two-way relationship with Rank. The support from Rank, including bursaries, conferences, and networking opportunities, has been invaluable in helping us bloom and thrive.” 

They also highlighted the importance of local connections, which helped them secure funding smoothly and quickly. The interest-free nature of the grant alleviated some financial concerns, allowing them to focus on their mission.  

Nudge Community Builders: Breathing new life into old spaces 

Leaving Trevi’s Sunflower Centre, we visited Nudge Community Builders. We were joined by David, our CEO, and had a warm and insightful conversation with Wendy, Nudge’s co-founder, at their base, ‘The Plot’. 

Nudge’s mission is simple yet powerful: “empty buildings are not okay, they need a little Nudge.” Their goal is to breathe life into these neglected spaces and turn them into thriving community hubs. Since 2017, Nudge has been working hard to transform Union Street, once filled with derelict properties, into a space the community can be proud of.  

Wendy showed us one of their key achievements that holds deep historical significance for the local community: The Millennium Building. She explained that this landmark project was made possible thanks to a £285,000 repayable grant from Rank. There’s something poetic about the fact that this former cinema was once the Top Rank Entertainment Centre in the 1960s. The connection to Rank adds a layer of history and purpose to the project, as the building comes full circle, once again becoming a space for the community. When we arrived, a band was already there rehearsing for their upcoming performance at London’s Notting Hill Carnival.  

Nudge’s success here is not just about bricks and mortar—it’s about giving people a place where they can gather, work, and enjoy moments together. They’ve already hosted events, student tours, and even music video shoots in the space. “It’s early days, but the impact is already showing,” Wendy said.  

Wendy was keen to emphasise how critical this funding has been for their growth. “Rank has been brilliant. They’ve given us flexibility, trust, and the ability to take risks. The 0% interest repayable grant has allowed us to focus on our mission without the burden of traditional financing.” 

Another exciting project we toured was Club 103, an iconic building that had been in disrepair for years. The space is being restored and will be used by local organisations working with young people, along with an indoor urban farm that will create food, training opportunities, and local jobs. The other half of the building will be housing for young people. “It’s going to take time, but we knew we had to do something,” Wendy said, “because buildings like these hold so many memories and can offer so much opportunity.” 

At the heart of Nudge’s work is the belief that small actions can lead to big change. Their projects aren’t just about developing buildings but about creating lasting social, economic, and cultural ripples across Plymouth.  

As we left, Wendy reflected on their partnership with Rank, saying, “The beauty of working with Rank is the trust. We listen, we share, and together, we’re making a huge difference.” 

Pollenize CIC: Leading the way in pollinator conservation 

Our third visit took us to Pollenize CIC, where we met Owen, co-founder of this pioneering social enterprise. Pollenize is on a mission to save pollinators—like bees, moths, and butterflies—through community-led conservation and cutting-edge technology. With a repayable grant of £18,000 from Rank, Pollenize has been able to increase its capacity and deepen its impact in preserving pollinator habitats and educating the community about their crucial role in the environment. 

“What we do is relatively unique,” Owen shared. “From the start, we could see there was more value in keeping bees than just for their honey. We now see the future role of beekeepers as scientists and the gatekeepers of bee knowledge.” 

Pollenize’s mission has evolved to harness the power of both community action and scientific research. With partnerships across academia and the use of AI technology, they are developing new ways to monitor and protect pollinators. For example, they’ve launched an AI-powered tool called Floradex, which helps landowners and businesses create pollinator-friendly habitats by analysing their land’s potential. 

Owen showed us their newest innovation, the Nest Sweeper, a game-changer in the fight against the invasive Asian hornet. He also gifted us one of Pollenize’s flagship products, their native wildflower seed packets, designed to help restore pollinator habitats. Community members can take part in a citizen science project by logging their planting efforts on Pollenize’s interactive rewilding map. Through this, Pollenize is encouraging local communities to plant wildflowers and create thriving mini-meadows across Plymouth. 

“We’re part of the bigger picture,” Owen said. “Through conservation, education, and community engagement, we can make small behaviour changes that benefit the environment on a large scale.” 

Since receiving the grant, Owen and Matthew used the investment to dedicate more time to the organisation. The grant has also allowed them to purchase more seeds, further expanding their wildflower planting efforts. Pollenize has also secured an additional £33,000 in income through collaborations and partnerships. They’ve distributed over 1,400 seed packets and planted 2,000 square metres of wildflower meadow in Plymouth alone. 

Despite their growth, there is still more work to do. “I want to grow our team, but it’s difficult at the moment,” Owen admitted. “We need more capacity building to keep up with the demand for our products and the potential of our research.”  

“The trust in us that has been shown is very important,” Owen said, reflecting on their partnership with Rank. “This repayable grant encourages us to keep developing our social enterprise model.” 

With their innovative solutions and strong community engagement, Pollenize is well on its way to becoming a leader in pollinator conservation. Their journey, which started with a love of local honey, has grown into something far more impactful. 

Four Greens Community Trust: A van driving community change 

Our final stop was at Four Greens Community Trust (FGCT), where we had the pleasure of chatting with Mark, the CEO. Mark’s warm and friendly welcome made the visit feel more like catching up with an old friend than a formal meeting. He shared with us the amazing work FGCT does to uplift the local community, tackling issues like poverty, social isolation, and health inequalities. 

FGCT is driven by a powerful vision: to eradicate poverty and inequality within their community. Their mission is to work with local partners to offer services and opportunities that promote economic regeneration. What really stands out is their commitment to making sure everyone in the community benefits, with a particular focus on young people, the elderly, people with disabilities, and minority groups. 

A central theme of our conversation was the importance of their new pizza and catering van, made possible by a £60,000 repayable grant from Rank. Partnering with Plymouth Argyle Community Trust (PACT), FGCT has launched a pizza and food catering van. This isn’t just any food truck—this van is staffed by young people who’ll get hands-on experience in the catering business, learning valuable skills while earning an income. Mark described it as “more than just selling pizza. It’s about social interaction and giving young people a real chance to learn and grow.” As he said, “The van is just the beginning. It’s a catalyst for something much bigger.” 

The repayable grant programme gave FGCT the flexibility they needed to launch this project, which would have been impossible through a traditional bank loan. “We found the timing perfect,” Mark said, “and the relationship we’ve built with Rank has been key. Their support is what made this happen.” 

Mark also highlighted the ethical side of the grant. The focus isn’t just on financial return but on creating real community impact. FGCT hopes to pay back the grant while continuing to make a difference, especially for those struggling with food poverty, mental health challenges, and isolation. Through their work at the community centre, café, and garden projects, they offer support in many areas, from financial advice to food bank access. 

Reflecting on the collaboration, Mark described Rank as the catalyst for all this positive change. “We wouldn’t have gotten here without Rank,” he said, “and this partnership is making a big difference, not just for us but for other organisations in Plymouth too.” 

With FGCT’s strong community focus and the support of partners, it’s clear they’re on a path to achieving their mission of eradicating poverty and isolation, one project at a time. 

Final thought 

For me, this trip was more than just a series of meetings—it was a reminder of why we do what we do. It was amazing and inspiring to see how each organisation we visited is driving real, tangible change in the communities they cherish.  

What I took away from this experience is the importance of relationships—whether that’s between foundations like ours and the people we fund, or between the social enterprises and the communities they serve. It’s clear that the repayable grants programme does more than provide financial support. It enables these organisations to thrive, grow, and continue making a difference. And by repaying their grants, they are also creating opportunities for other organisations in Plymouth. I feel truly honoured to have witnessed this firsthand. 

Get in touch

Nhung Phung

Communications and Impact Officer

nhung.phung@rankfoundation.com