Sam's Retail Group, the owner of two Liverpool convenience stores - Nisa Brook Street and Nisa North John Street - has donated £4,000 to two local community organisations through Making a Difference Locally's Heart of the Community Awards Funding Round programme.
The funding has been awarded to Al-Ghazali Multicultural Centre and Liverpool Arabic Centre, with each organisation receiving £2,000 to enhance and expand the support they provide to young people and families across Liverpool.
Al-Ghazali Multicultural Centre, one of Liverpool's longest-standing and largest community centres, will use the funding to strengthen its youth provision, helping to extend youth club opening hours and provide additional resources and activities for young people aged 12 to 18.
The centre's youth club offers a safe environment where young people can socialise, develop life skills and participate in activities including sports, gaming, volunteering opportunities and educational programmes. The project is expected to benefit around 100 local young people, helping to keep them engaged in positive activities and away from potential negative influences.
Leyla Mashjari from Al-Ghazali Multicultural Centre said: "This funding will make a significant difference to our youth provision. It will allow us to provide new resources, extend our youth club activities and continue creating a safe and welcoming environment where young people can build friendships, develop confidence and access valuable support and opportunities."
Meanwhile, Liverpool Arabic Centre has been awarded £2,000 to support the volunteers who deliver its Supplementary School, which takes place every Saturday at the Granby Adult Learning Centre in Liverpool.
The funding will be used from 1 November 2026 over a three-month period, helping to cover volunteer transport and refreshments. The Supplementary School provides a welcoming and supportive learning environment for local children, with dedicated volunteers giving their time each week to support educational and personal development.
The donation will fund transport costs for 14 volunteers over 13 weeks, alongside refreshments that help ensure volunteers can continue delivering the programme effectively. The remaining funding will contribute towards additional volunteer support costs throughout the project period.
Najib Al-Hakimi from Liverpool Arabic Centre said: "We are incredibly grateful for this funding, which will directly support the volunteers who make our Supplementary School possible. Their commitment allows us to provide a positive learning environment where children can develop their knowledge, confidence and connections within the community. This support will help ensure the programme can continue to thrive and benefit local families."
Sam Nahshall, Company Owner of Sam's Retail Group, said: "Supporting young people is one of the best investments we can make in our communities. Both Al-Ghazali Multicultural Centre and Liverpool Arabic Centre provide fantastic opportunities for young people to learn new skills, build confidence and develop positive relationships. We are delighted that Making a Difference Locally's Heart of the Community Awards Funding Round has enabled us to support these inspiring organisations and the valuable work they do across Liverpool."
Kate Carroll, Social Value Lead at MADL, said: "Young people thrive when they have access to positive activities in a safe space supported by trusted organisations, such as these two fantastic groups in Liverpool. Thanks to this funding, both organisations will be able to support more young people, helping them build confidence, develop new skills and strengthen connections with their peers and wider community."