Proffitts CIC – Community Projects and Funding

‘’Proffitts – Investing in Communities have been associated with Greenmount Village Community for many years and are our choice when dealing with community projects. After a substantial donation from a private funder, I asked Martin and Rachel to project manage the work for Island Lodge, which borders Greenmount and Tottington in Bury. This area had fallen into disrepair, and much needed finances were welcome. The whole project is in two phases with the first involving upgrading footpaths, replacing wooden fences, building steps with handrails, felling diseased trees, installing new benches, and replanting hedges and native flowers. Display boards were drawn up to inform residents and visitors about the work to be undertaken, and regular meetings took place to consult with all parties involved. Their professionalism is second to none. The second phase of this project has now started with the cutting back of trees and hedges which have caused a leak in the lodge wall. Martin and Rachel are working closely with Bury Council, who will be repairing this is due course. Once complete, we have exciting plans to further enhance this area.’’ Julie Southworth – Chairperson for Greenmount Village Community – May 2026

”Proffitts C.I.C was an invaluable partner in delivering the Great Harwood greening project. They expertly navigated a complex, five-site brief, seamlessly bringing together the community, local artists, and council departments. Through their engaging workshops and thoughtful design, they helped us deliver results far beyond our original goals. They didn’t just improve our public spaces—they helped create a lasting legacy that honors our town’s past and perfectly serves our community today.” Mark Cassell-Pickup – Senior Parks Development Officer, Hyndburn Borough Council – May 2026

”Community group Waterfoot Forward first recognised Trickett’s Memorial Ground as needing restoration soon after our formation in 2006, but finding funders willing to help out meant this was too complex a task for us to take on. Our main concern was that the stone and metal archway entrance had been damaged by vehicles and the memorial plaques themselves had been damaged by a previous attempt at cleaning. By 2018 and the centenary of the end of World War One, the group had installed an additional commemorative stone for ‘those in the community who had given their lives in conflict around the world’ and arranged an annual Remembrance Sunday service of commemoration, but we were still far from our aim of renovation of the entrance area, which we had hoped to complete by the centenary. After having seen other local projects worked on by Proffitts CIC we contacted them to ask for help. Martin and Rachael saw the potential of a much greater scheme and after undertaking local consultation they came up with a scheme to clear trees and undergrowth and restore paths to open up access to the wider parkland. Waterfoot Forward also identified the lack of information available to visitors on the history and original purpose of the Memorial Ground – as a commemoration of the 44 men from Gaghills Mill who lost their lives in the First World War – and we provided the information for interpretation panels which Proffitts added to the scheme. Thanks to Proffitts’ knowledge of which funders to approach the scheme has been completed to an excellent standard with the archway cleaned and restored, the bronze memorial plaques renovated back to their original standard, and new interpretation panels installed. A WWI memorial bench and replacement steps to the commemorative stone were also part of the scheme and both of these make the whole entrance area look unified and complete. Working with Proffitts and their contractors was a pleasure and their professionalism and patience was much appreciated by everyone at Waterfoot Forward.” Tim Nuttall – Waterfoot Forward – January 2025