An affordable housing provider for Andover has launched a charitable arm, which it hopes will help local communities thrive.

VIVID has launched VIVID Plus, which plans to invest £21 million in projects across Hampshire over the next five years.

The projects supported by VIVID Plus will be targeted to key areas, including crime prevention, youth support, tackling homelessness and neighbourhood improvement.

Mark Perry, chief executive of VIVID, said: “We’re so pleased to launch VIVID Plus and it feels particularly right to do so now, when many more of our customers and communities are struggling following the impact of the pandemic, so we can in partnership help make a long-term difference.”

VIVID Plus says that its projects will be targeted using “experts and partner agencies,” so other community organisations will not be able to apply to it for funding. Instead, it will make decisions on what to invest in via its advisory board, which includes two of its customers to represent the views of the community.

Giuseppe, one of the customer board members, said: “I’m very pleased to be involved and I hope that I can help in making positive decisions on the projects and initiatives that VIVID Plus chooses to support, to ensure they have a direct impact on local communities.”

Mark Perry said: “We’re delighted to have our customers involved in the decision-making. From our regular engagement with customers, we’re aware of how our communities are being affected and we’re well-placed to help provide support where it’s needed most.

“We’re living through challenging times and we want to do all we can to make people safe and proud of where they live and feel they have the opportunities to thrive and create brighter futures for themselves. VIVID Plus will allow us to offer support and investment in a variety of ways. In partnership, we’ll combine our experience and strengths to unlock potential for the benefit of people who live in our geography and provide a springboard of opportunity for those who need it.”

The organisation is already investing in two schemes, including a mentoring project for those who have experienced homelessness and the development of a youth program.