Aurora Fund: Responding to Emerging Needs Across Surrey
Established in 2022, the Aurora Fund supports charities and voluntary organisations working with disadvantaged people across Surrey, with a particular focus on emerging and unmet needs.
Managed by CFSurrey, the fund takes a flexible and responsive approach, directing funding where it can make the most meaningful difference, whether that is supporting young people, families, mental health initiatives, or underrepresented groups such as fathers.
Since its launch, the fund has already supported 135 beneficiaries, demonstrating how targeted, early-stage funding can create tangible impact within a relatively short period.
A Flexible Approach to Funding
A key strength of the Aurora Fund is its ability to support innovative or early-stage projects, particularly those that may struggle to secure funding elsewhere. By investing in ideas at the right moment, the Fund enables organisations to test new approaches, build evidence, and unlock further funding.
This approach has proven especially effective in areas such as mental health and wellbeing, where needs are complex and evolving.
Supporting Innovation in Mental Health
One example is a project delivered by Active Prospects, which received £5,500 to develop a bespoke support programme for six men with additional needs, designed by someone with lived experience.
The project combined wellbeing coaching with practical support, helping participants to:
Build relationships and reduce isolation
Improve physical health and living conditions
Develop life skills and structure their time
Access training, volunteering, and employment opportunities
The outcomes were significant. Participants showed measurable improvements in mental health and behaviour, including reduced self-harm, lower levels of anti-social behaviour, and increased confidence and independence.
Importantly, the initial funding acted as seed funding, enabling the organisation to secure additional investment and expand the model into a larger programme supporting 180 people in East Surrey.
Creating Opportunities for Young People
The Aurora Fund has also supported projects that reduce isolation and build confidence among young people. A grant of £1,500 helped fund Challengers’ Guildford Youthscheme, providing holiday activities for disabled young people aged 13 to 18.
The programme offered a mix of community outings and centre-based activities, giving young people the opportunity to socialise, try new experiences, and build independence.
For one young person attending for the first time, the impact was immediate. What began as a hesitant first session developed into full participation and a desire to return, reflecting a significant increase in confidence and comfort in social settings.
The scheme also delivered wider benefits, including over 1,100 hours of respite for families, helping to reduce stress and strengthen family resilience.
Building Long-Term Impact
Although still a relatively new fund, the Aurora Fund is already demonstrating how targeted, flexible funding can:
Address gaps in provision
Support innovation and new ideas
Strengthen organisations’ ability to grow
Improve outcomes for individuals and families
As one funded partner reflected, the ability to be “flexible and creative” was central to achieving meaningful change for those involved.
CFSurrey Fund Manager, Amy Lee, reflected:
“I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the Aurora Fund for starting your family’s philanthropic journey in our county. Although this journey is still relatively new, the impact of your grants is already creating lasting positive change: from enabling young disabled people to enjoy a summer of fun outings, to supporting families with young children, to funding a small pilot with Active Prospects that tested the impact of personal budgets and has now grown into a larger project able to attract additional funding to scale up.
These powerful stories of change show just how much your support matters. We look forward to more years of working together to meet people’s needs through your generous giving.”
Get involved
Starting a fund or collaborating with an existing one through CFSurrey enables meaningful change in our county, To be involved, find out more on our website below or contact us for more information. We can’t wait to work with more amazing people in Surrey!
https://www.cfsurrey.org.uk/give-to-surrey
Email: giving@cfsurrey.org.uk
Phone: 01483 478092