RJS Foundation

27/03/2026

We’re proud to support Brilliant Bamboo with a grant to help grow their inspiring work in Stoke-on-Trent 🌱

Since launching in 2023, Brilliant Bamboo has been bringing communities together through sustainability, creativity, and hands-on experiences. From transforming a brownfield site into a thriving green space to hosting events and team-building activities, their impact is already clear.

Our funding will support the purchase of vital equipment, helping them continue to develop their site and expand their community work.

It’s great to back a project that combines environmental impact with imagination and local engagement, and we’re excited to see what’s next.

Find out more about Brilliant Bamboo and their work here: https://brilliantbamboo.co.uk/
Interested in applying for support? Visit www.rjs-foundation.com

12/02/2026

RJS Foundation Support for Trentham South Resident Association’s ‘Towpath Taskforce’

Pioneering work to make a well-used canal tow path accessible to residents has been given a boost by the RJS Foundation, who given them a grant to purchase equipment to support their work.

The Trentham South Residents Association established their ‘Towpath Taskforce’ a few years ago, building on work that had started during covid, and now being delivered with support from the Canal and Rivers Trust.

The Taskforce have cleared stretches of the verge along the Trent and Mersey Canal as it runs through Trentham and is now broadening it’s work to other places in the vicinity.

The RJS Foundation’s chair, Abi Brown OBE, recently met with the Trentham South RA and took a walk along the canal to see the difference the work had made.

“The canals are such an important feature of Stoke-on-Trent, and this section through Trentham is well used by local residents.

The work done by the Trentham South RA’s ‘Towpath Taskforce’ has opened up the towpath, restored some of the planted beds and cleared overhanging vegetation, whilst working with the CRT to ensure the varied biodiversity of the area is maintained,” said Abi.
“It’s great to see what local organisations can do with our grants – buying new equipment and safety gear for the taskforce will make a real difference and hopefully demonstrate the breadth of the work of the RJS Foundation locally.

We’d love to receive more applications from local groups and further information can be found on our website at www.rjs-foundation.com

16/09/2025

Supporting local communities is at the heart of the RJS Foundation .

Cllr Abi Brown, Chair of the RJS Foundation, has given an update on the first quarter:

"We're delighted that the RJS Foundation has been abl a small number of local organisations with our quarter 1 grants, putting over £1,000 of investment into the local area. It's been a pleasure to go out and meet some of the groups we're working with and see the great work that's underway."

"The RJS Foundation is proud of its strong record of supporting local groups and individuals who are working to make improvements in our communities. We are now accepting applications for our next round of grants."

If you are part of a local organisation or community group and would like to apply for funding, please visit the RJS Foundation website for details: https://rjs-foundation.com/application-forms/

12/08/2025

The RJS Foundation is proud to sponsor an event that celebrates culture, community, and contribution.
We’re honoured to support the upcoming South Asian Community in Public Service event on Wednesday 13th August, held at The Catalyst, University of Staffordshire.

This high-profile and prestigious event brings together influential voices from policing, fire and rescue, the NHS, academia and beyond, shining a spotlight on the vital contributions of the South Asian community across public service.

The day will feature:

🔹 Inspiring guest speakers
🔹 Insight sessions on inclusive leadership
🔹 Cultural workshops in art, dance, religion and food
🔹 Recruitment stands and careers advice across public service sectors

At the RJS Foundation, we believe in building stronger communities through meaningful engagement, and we’re proud to be part of this important celebration of identity, impact and inclusion.

📍 The Catalyst, University of Staffordshire
🕘 9am–4pm | Wednesday 13th August

01/05/2025

We are delighted to welcome Abi as the new Chair of the RJS Foundation.

We’re delighted to welcome Abi Brown OBE as the new Chair of the RJS Foundation.

Abi is a passionate advocate for Stoke-on-Trent and brings a wealth of experience in public service, regeneration, and community impact. As the former leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Abi has spent over a decade championing local growth leading major city projects such as the Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone, the Goods Yard development, and the Spitfire extension at the Potteries Museum.

Her leadership helped secure more than £100m in government investment for the city and elevated Stoke-on-Trent’s national profile as a city of opportunity and innovation. Abi’s current work as a Non-Executive Director at Homes England and a trustee of Localis continues to reflect her deep commitment to building stronger places and communities.

Abi commented: "Helping others is important to me, and using my own experience to ensure those who need that helping hand can access it continues to drive much of the work I do. The RJS Foundation offers a real opportunity to make a difference locally, and I'm excited to be part of that journey."

As Chair of the RJS Foundation, Abi will help shape the next chapter of our CSR work: supporting individuals, grassroots organisations and businesses who want to give back. She brings a strong focus on children and young people, a cause close to her heart following her national work on fostering friendly initiatives. We’re thrilled to have Abi on board and look forward to what’s to come at the RJS Foundation.