Community Foundation for Surrey awards £482,160 to help young people

11th August 2022

The Community Foundation for Surrey is delighted to announce the awarding of 59 grants, totalling £482,160 to voluntary and community organisations in Surrey.

Funded through the generous contribution of our donor funds, the Foundation’s Young People theme helps to combat issues impacting young people, including:

Coping with and managing mental health issues.
Obtaining qualifications and developing life skills that will improve their chances of gaining employment.
Widening horizons – giving children and young people in disadvantaged communities access to opportunity.
Supporting young people caring for others.
Mentoring and coaching.
Enabling young people to access sports, arts and the environment.

There was a wide spread of issues supported through the funding round, but the two dominant themes were Mental health and wellbeing, and Education, skills and employability which accounted for more than half the awards. Mental health alone made up a third of the awards.

We are very excited that one of our donor funds has awarded four, three-year grants for salary costs, thereby providing stability to the charities supported. One of the recipients said:

“A 3 year funding offer is absolutely brilliant and is a massive weight off our trustee-shoulders, knowing that we have security for our ongoing work with our young people. It also enables more strategic, longer-term planning and will encourage other investments of support. Just wonderful all-round.” (Claygate Youth and Community Hub)

Feedback from grant recipients

We have received some fantastic feedback from our grant recipients. Here are a few of their comments:

Your Sanctuary

– Surrey based charity supporting survivors of domestic abuse.

“This generous grant from the Community Foundation will help us to continue our vital work supporting children who are living in our refuges for families fleeing domestic abuse. Our specialist support workers provide a safe place for children to talk, play and heal from their experiences. Thank you.”

Fiamma Pather, Chief Executive Officer, Your Sanctuary

Buddy Up

– A mentoring charity for young people to develop skills so that they can thrive in education, relationships and beyond.

“Buddy Up are incredibly grateful for the grant from The Community Foundation for Surrey. This funding means we can continue to provide our much needed mentoring service to the most vulnerable young people in Surrey.”

Andy Reid CEO and Founder Buddy Up

Horsley, Bookham & Leatherhead Riding for the Disabled Association

– A local charity providing therapeutic riding sessions for children and adults with disabilities.

“Horsley, Bookham & Leatherhead RDA are delighted to receive Community Foundation for Surrey’s grant towards the purchase of our next horse. This ensures that we can cater for more local children/young adults who want to ride with us and have therapeutic sessions with our horses and ponies each week.”

Joanna Marsh, Trustee, Fundraising

Breck Foundation

– Campaigns for a safer internet for all children and young people – whether they are gaming, communicating on social media, using apps or taking part in any other internet-based activity.

“Breck Foundation is extremely grateful for the support of Community Foundation for Surrey, with it we can deliver our powerful and potentially lifesaving ‘Online Safety’ sessions in schools all over Surrey; Breck’s Mother believes that had her son seen our ‘Online Safety’ session, he would still be alive today“.

Michael Buraimoh, CEO of Breck Foundation

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For more information, please contact our Grants Team at email: grants@cfsurrey.org.uk

Director of Finance and Operations

7th July 2022

We have an exciting new opportunity to join our team and help us make a difference in Surrey!

HOURS: Part Time 21-25 hours – flexible working options will be considered such as condensed working week or flexed hours contracts.

SALARY: Up to £47,000 per annum pro-rata.

Who we are

The Community Foundation for Surrey brings together local Donors and those acting to provide positive solutions in our communities for local people and disadvantaged individuals. Our Foundation awarded over £4M in grants in 2020-21 to help our community, more than we ever have in our history, but there is still more to be done. Come and join us at this exciting time to help us ensure that everyone in Surrey has hope.

What we are looking for

This role is essential in supporting the strategic direction of the Foundation. We believe in a stronger fairer Surrey enabling everyone to support organisations who are making a positive difference to our communities so that no one is left behind. We play a unique role to bring together those able to give with charities and community organisations in need of support. Good, effective governance and robust financial management are key to the charity achieving its ambitious plans to grow resources, deliver grant-making and ensure sustainability.

The overall purpose of the role is to provide consistent, strategic, financial and operational leadership with the Chief Executive and the board of trustees. This exciting role provides the opportunity for strategic vision and organisation leadership on the macro level, together with a hands-on approach to micro issues.

A pro-active, team player who can contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of the organisation. You will have meticulous attention to detail and accuracy, and be highly organised and able to prioritise effectively, sometimes working to short deadlines.

As an organisation we are committed to working in ways that celebrate our county’s diversity and to enabling people from all communities to be part of our work.

What’s really important to us

At least 2 years’ experience working at a senior level in charity accounting.
Strong organisational skills with the ability to plan and prioritise own workload to meet deadlines.
A beady eye when it comes to details.
A positive, ‘can do’ attitude.
A professional, friendly approach to all.
Ability to assess and interpret complex data and communicate clearly through excellent written and verbal skills with non-finance professional.
Fully computer literate including Word, Excel and use of CRM databases (ideally Salesforce) or willing to undertake training.
To be able to work as part of a small team including line management (this post has 2 posts reporting into it)

The icing on the cake

Experience of Sage 50.
Experience of fund and investment accounting.
Experience of working in a grant-making organisation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The post may occasionally necessitate evening and weekend work for which time off in lieu will be provided.

Benefits

PENSION: The Foundation has an automatic enrolment workplace pension scheme with NEST and will pay, on behalf of the employee, 6% of the basic annual salary (in addition to the basic annual salary).

HOLIDAYS: 25 days holiday per annum, in addition to public holidays.

An additional days leave is awarded for every 3 years’ of continuous service up to an agreed maximum of 30 days leave. An additional 2 days leave is also available to undertake voluntary work for a charitable cause, at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

LOCATION: The Foundation operates a Hybrid working arrangement – the role will be part home-based, part based at the Foundation’s offices in Woking. In addition, travel throughout the county will be required for meetings and events.

TRANSPORT: Car mileage allowance for travel in connection with work.

ACCOUNTABILITY: Reports to the Chief Executive and Board of Trustees.

Working environment

We offer an excellent working environment in a culture that is genuinely supportive, consultative and flexible. We believe in promoting talent from within the organisation and ensure every member of the team has access to training and development opportunities. We strongly believe that the key to our success and our ability to deliver the highest standards of grant-making and donor service is the team of people that we employ. You will be part of a committed team of people who love their jobs and relish the challenges and rewards of supporting our community.

To find out more about this position and how to apply, please download our Director of Finance and Operations information pack

HOW TO APPLY

Please send your latest CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role referencing ‘Director of Finance and Operations’ in the subject line to recruitment@cfsurrey.org.uk.

CLOSING DATE: Monday 25th July 2022

INTERVIEWS: Interviews will be held the week commencing Monday 8th August 2022

£1.25m funding from Surrey Community Fund helps more than 35,000 people to ‘build-back’ following the pandemic

5th July 2022

Surrey County Council and the Community Foundation for Surrey have committed to working together to bring maximum benefit and support for the communities of Surrey. We have developed a strong alliance and partnership, based on trust, mutual respect and an open dialogue and we wish to continue to join up our expertise and skills for the benefit of Surrey residents for the longer term. We are delighted to present a one-year update on our partnership to establish the Surrey Community Fund.

Background – Surrey Community Fund

Surrey County Council and the Community Foundation for Surrey signed an agreement on 1^st April 2021 establishing the Surrey Community Fund thanks to an historic investment of £500,000 from Surrey County Council. This funding has been used to kick start a fund set up to support communities to ‘build-back’ following the pandemic.

Applications for funding are received from voluntary organisations via the Community Foundation’s Expression of Interest form, and grants are awarded following rigorous assessment, in accordance with our Grant-Making Priorities. We have used the Surrey Community Fund as a ‘fund of last resort’ – for strong applications that do not fit with any of our other 89 funds and would otherwise ‘fall between the funding gaps’.

Surrey Community Fund highlights

Funding of £500,000 from Surrey County Council has generated matched funding of £747,387.00 from donors to the Community Foundation for Surrey, giving a total amount of £1,247,387 to support Surrey communities’ recovery from the pandemic.
£754,223 was awarded in 2021-22 in grants from the Surrey Community Fund– grants are awarded quarterly based on applications that are strong, but have not been funded by other donors, and with a priority on response to the Covid Pandemic and other emergencies.
During the last year there have been other emergencies to deal with, for which there were no existing fund under the Foundation’s management. We therefore set up two ring-fenced funds including £185,000 which has been awarded from the Winter Poverty Fund and £21,950 from the Refugee Support Fund.
To date approximately 35,000 people in Surrey have benefited from funds provided.

A ray of hope to the voluntary sector in challenging times

Here are just three of the organisations that have benefited from the funding:

The Merstham Mix

The Merstham Mix is a Community Interest Company founded in 2017 to support the local community of Merstham. Merstham has some of the highest level of deprivation in the country and by working with food surplus partners and using high quality donated goods, Merstham Mix offers affordable, nutritious meals available to everyone.

The Fund provided emergency funding towards the increased salary costs to recruit a General Manager to enable the continuation of a community cafe in a recognised area of deprivation. Merstham Mix Community Cafe was awarded £10,000.

“Cafe takings are up consistently from when we last spoke – from around £100-£150 per day to now generally over £200. We took £380 last Saturday which is our most successful day ever. It really feels like we are moving in the right direction, and I wanted to thank you and your team SO much for being there for us when we needed it.” Café Volunteer

Age Concern Mole Valley

Age Concern Mole Valley has been caring and supporting vulnerable and isolated older people throughout the district for over 75 years. They are an independent local charity, responsible for their own funding and services.

The £20,00 funding helped to tackle the isolation, health and wellbeing challenges in older people following the coronavirus pandemic. In the last financial year (2019/20) Age Concern Mole Valley supported older people with over 4,500 activities and continued to develop the Local Community Support Project with core activities, including the Befriending and Visiting Service, information & signposting/advice, events, etc. The difference the organisation makes is to reduce social isolation and loneliness and improve the health and wellbeing of older people.

“I am delighted with how the visits are going with my befriender. It is so nice to have someone to natter with and have something in the diary each week to look forward to. You have found me such a nice person. Thank you. My befriender has made such a difference to me and is a really important part of my life now. I always look forward to our meetings and feel better after I’ve seen her.” Client of Age Concern Mole Valley

South West Surrey Domestic Abuse Outreach Service

South West Surrey Domestic Abuse Outreach Service provides free, confidential, independent and impartial advice to anyone aged 16 or above affected by domestic abuse living in the boroughs of Waverley and Guildford.

As the pandemic receded, it has become evident that many victims of domestic abuse display symptoms such as PTSD, depression and anxiety, and are in extreme need of expert counselling. The Fund provided £10,000 to support specialist counselling for adult and child victims of domestic abuse.

Further information

For grant application and funding enquiries please email grants@cfsurrey.org.uk, and for general enquiries, email info@cfsurrey.org.uk. For general enquiries please call 01483 478092.

Visit our website at cfsurrey.org.uk

Plant a tree in Surrey!

28th June 2022

Through the benefit of last year’s successful Forestry Commission’s Treescapes fund, Surrey County Council was able to work with schools, partners and community groups to deliver the planting of around 30,000 new trees across Surrey.

This is what Surrey County Council is saying about the programme:

“If you as a charity or voluntary organisation own, or have a formal lease agreement on land and you are interested in receiving free trees to plant, please complete the form below.

Working with our partners is a core part of Surrey’s Tree Strategy, so we hope you would consider being involved next planting season.

Tree planting can offer many benefits, including:

Reduced air pollution
Reduced noise pollution
Carbon sequestration and storage
Improved mental well-being
Providing habitat and food for wildlife
Improved water drainage
Providing shade

…and more!

Please fill out our quick Microsoft Form here https://forms.office.com/r/GMUd5EaPgZ Please submit before July 18^th 2022.”

Announcing our Surrey Strategic Transformation Programme

23rd June 2022

The Community Foundation for Surrey is pleased to announce that a number of our Donor Funds have come together with some additional generous support from Surrey County Council to support the sustainability and resilience of our voluntary sector organisations.

Pandemic working has necessitated many charities and community groups working more closely together with other groups to deliver services together and change services to new ways of delivery.

In the current economic climate, coming out of a period when many funders gave an unprecedented amount, the funding environment is bleak. Many public sector contracts have been frozen and public grants programmes either cancelled or drastically cut back. Increasingly charities are looking to respond to the urgent need to cut costs by looking for new ways of working, cementing partnership working or even merging. In addition, many are looking to change their business model in order to achieve greater financial sustainability in the longer-term. On the positive side many are building on what they have learned during the pandemic which enabled them to re-imagine the services they provide to beneficiaries.

The Community Foundation for Surrey (CFS) is seeing an increase in applications for ‘crisis’ funding – funding to address urgent cashflow needs. We would prefer to be able to work with community organisations earlier in their journey so that we avoid the need for crisis intervention.

In response CFS has created the Surrey Strategic Transformation Programme. The focus of this funding will be to support local voluntary and community organisations to become more resilient. It will help organisations to plan and adapt to change and be better equipped to survive and thrive through challenges and opportunities that may arise.

What sorts of things would we support?

Work to carry out a feasibility study for premises move or new merger/partnership
Strengthening an organisation’s leadership and governance, ensuring it has the right skills available to maintain and develop its work including set up of new partnerships/merger or improving strategic planning.
Building the capacity of an organisation’s digital/IT infrastructure to help deliver services and reach the communities it serves more efficiently and effectively.
Small capital work to adapt or refurbish existing premises for new purpose or support move to new premises
Work to design and implement new systems to enable two organisations to work more closely together
Analysis of potential demand for services/needs including analysis of potential partner organisations
Reviewing structure and governance models
Reviewing income and fundraising options or impact measurement
Work to Improve capacity e.g. strengthen impact, effectiveness or sustainability.
Increasing the involvement of service users/communities in the design, development and/or delivery of services.

The Programme will not consider

Applications to support ‘business as usual’ – these can be made through our usual grant rounds, but this fund is specifically to fund ‘business change’
Applications for core/running costs.
Applications from individuals, political or sectarian organisations, mainstream schools and colleges, playgroups, community centres, sports clubs. Religious groups can apply but their services must be open to all and the grants cannot be used for the promotion of religion.
CFS general Eligibility Criteria apply

What size of grants are available?

Grants of up to £15,000 will be awarded

Who can apply?

The Fund will support registered charities that have been in existence for at least 3 years with a demonstrably strong track record.
We will prioritise supporting organisations whose primary function and service is supporting people and communities that face the greatest disadvantages and exclusion or have been greatest impacted by the pandemic. Organisations must be focussed on Surrey.
Partnership bids are welcome. For partnership applications, we will expect the applicant to demonstrate what additional benefits will be delivered by working together. To be considered as a ‘partnership’, each organisation must be actively involved in the partnership and have a clear role within it. It is expected that there will be some form of partnership agreement or at least evidence of an agreement between partner organisations
CFS general Eligibility Criteria apply

Additional support

Successful applicants to the Strategic Transformation Fund will be offered support (where required) from skilled volunteers to assist with financial management, governance or merger discussions

How to apply

Groups can start their application by submitting an Expression of Interest
This will be a rolling programme with no deadlines.

Example Grant awards

Investment in an online booking system for a charity providing play-schemes for disadvantaged areas of Westborough, Park Barn and Stoke to improve efficiency and revenue generation.
Funding for a feasibility study regarding the relocation of a charity providing an outdoor learning environment for vulnerable young people.
Installation of two prefabricated cabins to provide flexible expansion of space for service provision and income generation for a charity supporting people with mental health needs.
Computer equipment to enable people with brain injury to be supported more efficiently.
IT System upgrade for a charity which supports disabled people to live independently to improve efficiency and service delivery.
Investment in a consolidated CRM system to manage member data and services more effectively.
Funding support for the merger of five local Community Mediation services to increase efficiency and sustainability; to improve service delivery and to create opportunity for growth, in terms of reaching more people across Surrey.

Further information

For grant application and funding enquiries please email grants@cfsurrey.org.uk

Celebrating Volunteers’ Week 2022

8th June 2022

As part of Volunteers’ Week, we would like to thank our volunteers for their exceptional contribution to the charity and local community.

Thanks to the tireless dedication of its volunteers and staff, the Community Foundation for Surrey continues to bring together local donors with voluntary organisations providing positive solutions to the many challenges within our communities.

Read why our volunteers Emma, Peter and Will became involved and why they have enjoyed their time with us.

Emma, Trustee

“I found the Surrey Community Foundation team magnetic, their desire to drive long term, sustainable change on the issues facing our community face, right here on our doorstep was inspiring.”

“Their deep understanding and strong connections made them uniquely placed to make a difference and I felt compelled to support them on their mission.”

“I was so incredibly proud of the team’s response during the pandemic, not only did they direct support where it was needed most but they were so brave and innovative in their approach of getting the funding out of the door quickly, yet responsibly.”

“The diversity of the team is fantastic, with varied backgrounds, skills and know how… it is a very rewarding team to be part of.”

Peter, Vice President

“As part of my retirement plan, I was looking for charitable ways to channel my time, energy and the skills developed during my professional life. A colleague introduced me to the Community Foundation for Surrey.”

“By working with CFS I have gained a wider understanding of the multiple needs within Surrey and an appreciation of the generosity of the many donors in the County and the ways in which the team can facilitate the distribution of donated funds.”

“There has been the chance to meet people from all aspects of society living within Surrey and also the opportunity to work alongside extremely interesting, dedicated and hard-working staff, advisors, ambassadors and trustees of CFS.”

“The personal satisfaction of being able to continue contributing to an extremely worthwhile organisation and those who benefit from its interest and help.”

Will, Trustee

“As a retiring solicitor I wanted to ‘give something back’ and utilise my legal skills in the Third sector. I was flattered to be invited in 2019 to become a trustee of CFS. Having practiced as an employment lawyer for forty plus years, turning to give advice to a charity was a challenge, and one that I have increasingly enjoyed.”

“I think CFS is a remarkable organisation that really delivers, and on an increasingly expansive basis across the county. Its people are of the very highest calibre – and are devoted to helping that delivery.”

Changing lives for the long term

19th May 2022

Leaving a gift in your will to the Community Foundation for Surrey

Many of our donors and supporters are committed to supporting voluntary organisations in Surrey during their lifetime and they don’t want that commitment to end when they pass away. Leaving a legacy in your will to the Community Foundation for Surrey is the ideal way to ensure that the charities and causes you care about continue to be supported when you are no longer here.

The Dora Fedoruk Memorial Fund is one of our Legacy Funds that we have the honour of administering and provides a legacy in memory of someone to whom Surrey was once home. You can read more here.

We understand that when writing your will there is a lot to consider and making the decision to leave a proportion of your estate to charity is a big one. Our Director of Development has 20 years’ experience in helping donors to pledge a legacy and is able to provide support and guidance.

For a confidential discussion about leaving a Legacy gift in your will, please contact:

Claire Heath, Director of Development

Call 01483 906383 or email at Claire@CFSurrey.org.uk

Read more about Legacy & Memory Funds here

Help support Ukraine refugees arriving into Surrey

16th May 2022

Ukraine refugees arriving into Surrey – what we currently know

We have been working closely with partner agencies across the county to keep abreast of the latest situation regarding the war in Ukraine and refugees arriving into the county. At the present time we are anticipating an influx of applications from Refugee Support organisations.

2,407 Ukrainian families are currently expected to arrive into the county with 1,345 having received visas already. The families will be dispersed across the county.

We know that there are many children – 892 individuals aged 2–17.

There is currently a lot of work going on to find school places for all the children. Those families placed in rural homes are really struggling to access public transport to attend interviews at job centres, doctors’ appointments, etc.

Ukrainian children are still receiving lessons from their schools back in Ukraine via Zoom – only pausing if a bomb siren goes off and the teachers have to seek shelter. They are very keen to learn and the importance of education is paramount in Ukrainian culture.

In addition to incoming Ukrainian families there are many hundreds of Afghan families still housed in hotels surrounding Heathrow and Gatwick airport – and several hundred more are arriving each month as emergency evacuations continue. This situation is now becoming quite desperate with hotel accommodation not suitable, particularly for families with young children.

Our Surrey Community Fund exists to support crisis and emerging needs across the county including support for all refugees. To help us meet the many unmet needs that exist, please donate securely online via the button below.

Donate to help Ukraine Refugees arriving into Surrey

Help support Young People’s Mental Health in Surrey

We are facing a shortfall in funds to meet the demand to provide support for Young People’s Mental Health

The need for greater mental health provision for young people in Surrey is urgent

The pandemic has given rise to an increase in demand for mental health provision, particularly amongst young people.

The latest prevalence data for England shows that approximately 1 in 7 children and young people aged 11–18 experiences at least one mental health disorder.
This equates to 40,000 children and young people in Surrey!

At the Community Foundation for Surrey we are facing a shortfall in funds to meet the demand to provide support for young people’s mental health.

Applications for funding in our recent Young People’s round total over £688,000 and currently the funds available represent a 42% shortfall compared to what is needed.
Although the Young People’s round supports a range of challenges faced by young people in Surrey, a staggering 33% of applications are requests from organisations providing mental health provision and prevention initiatives.

The Community Foundation for Surrey funds many organisations who work hard to support those experiencing mental health issues. One of these organisations is east to west, a Surrey based charity that supports over 1,000 local children, young people and their families. The children and young people who work with east to west often struggle with self-harming, bullying, broken family relationships, abuse and homelessness. We supported them with a grant to help deal with the surge in demand for children and young people’s mental health services following the Coronavirus pandemic. Read more about east to west

If you are in a position to help more organisations like east to west, please consider making a donation today.

Donate to support Young People’s Mental Health