Mental Health Scale Up Fund makes five year grant award to Eikon to provide mental health & wellbeing support to Surrey primary schools

18th May 2023

The Community Foundation for Surrey is delighted to make our third grant award from our Mental Health Scale Up Fund to The Eikon Charity to provide early Mental Health and Wellbeing Support across Primary Schools in Surrey over the next 5 years.

As always, we wouldn’t be able to do this without the financial support from our community and we are forever grateful for all the donations we receive.

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About the Project:

There are currently significant unmet needs for children 10 years of age and under. This new support in schools will help ensure children can understand challenges they face, learn how to positively approach key areas & relationships in their lives, and give a safe space to share when things are happening that worry them.

Primary Head Teachers have told us that there is less help available to their pupils than secondary age pupils. This fantastic longer term funding from the Community Foundation for Surrey will help begin to change this. This resilience building programme that prevents poor mental health in children will run in 8 primary schools in year 1 and will be substantially scaled up over the remaining four years. We ‘re really excited to recruit the member of staff and get cracking on it.

Chris Hickford, CEO of Eikon

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Funder Plus Volunteer

2nd February 2023

Role description

Purpose of role

To help selected charitable organisations in Surrey to achieve their full potential by providing short-term coaching and practical support.
Funder Plus Volunteers will bring their experience and a desire to help, through listening to the key issues that need to be addressed, questioning to aid understanding, and introducing relevant information, signposting models or ways of thinking and practical steps to achieve the desired outcome.

Key elements of the role

To use skills and experience for the benefit of one or more local charitable organisation(s).

Examples may include the following:

Support with specific governance or financial accounting issues;
Assist the organisation to develop systems and processes;
Help solve a specific problem;
Temporarily fill a skills gap;
Develop a strategic, organisational, fundraising, communications plan(s);
Mentor a chief executive or a team leader;
To share experiences and learning with the team of Volunteers by attending Steering Group meetings or contributing to communities of practise where appropriate.

Person specification

Essential

Equally important will be how you engage with your charitable organisation and we are looking for candidates who can demonstrate:

Relevant expertise and experience;
Demonstrate good interpersonal and listening skills;
A coaching approach with clear and unambiguous communications
The ability to develop trust and empower others
An understanding of and empathy with the ethos of the charitable/ not for profit sector;
A common sense and flexible approach;
Willingness to undertake required training;
Computer literate, access to and use of email;
Ability to travel;
Able to prove a minimum of 2×10 hour assignments, delivered flexibly, over a 6-12 month period;
Having met with the prospective charity and agreed to proceed, commitment and energy will also be requisite.

The icing on the cake

Experience of working in the charitable/not for profit sector.
Experience of providing coaching support in the charitable/ not for profit sector.

Conflict of Interest

If your business or day job is to offer a paid service to small charities that Is in line with the skills we are looking for pro bono [volunteer] support with then we will need to ask you to commit to offering services on a volunteer only basis, and not to use the opportunity as an opportunity to ‘sell’ future services. We hope you understand that we do not want small charities in vulnerable positions to feel obligated to purchase any future services from you.

Download MORE about the role

To apply for the the role, please contact recruitment@cfsurrey.org.uk Application is by CV and covering email

Mental Health Scale Up Fund makes five year grant award to Be Me Project

9th January 2023

The Community Foundation for Surrey is delighted to make our second grant award from our Mental Health Scale Up Fund to Be Me Project. The five-year award with enable Be Me Project to extend their reach and support hundreds of additional young people.

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About the Be Me Project:

“Our mission is to support girls and women to celebrate that they are uniquely and wonderfully made for a purpose and to be equipped to build positive mental wellbeing and confidence in life.”

“The Be Me Project is a charity established in 2014 to enhance girl’s and women’s emotional health, well-being, self-esteem, and self-efficacy by inspiring them to explore their true identity, to cope with the world’s pressures, to understand that they are uniquely and wonderfully made and equip them for purpose and hope in life.
Be Me, and its courses, has been established and run by local women for girls and women who are either referred by a third party (i.e. their school) or self-referred. Many of the girls and women that Be Me work with battle with self-worth and make poor life choices, often following the pattern of behaviour of their parents, siblings or the community in which they live. The majority have low expectations of themselves and have little hope for the future. Be Me believes that by investing in these girls and women, they have a far better chance of breaking negative thought patterns and are able to build healthy self-esteem and a sense of purpose which lead to a more positive life.”

“The Be Me Project team is thrilled to have received the Community Foundation Mental Health Scale Up fund. This funding will enable us to consolidate our expansion plans, and confirm the projects that we are able to offer local schools in Dorking, Leatherhead, Reigate, Redhill and Epsom. As well as reaching at least 640 new beneficiaries over the five year period, it gives the team security in knowing that their invaluable work will continue, and continue to grow. In particular, it is a huge boost to all of the team, including new joiners, and we have lots of ideas on how to grow them through training in the new year.”

Lu Mason, CEO and founder, Be Me Project

Discover more at the Be Me Project web page.

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Surrey Strategic Transformation Programme awards grants to support resiliency in the local voluntary and community sector

20th December 2022

We are delighted to announce the award of a number of grants to support local voluntary and community organisations to become more resilient.

The funding from our Surrey Strategic Transformation Programme will help organisations to plan and adapt to change and be better equipped to survive and thrive through challenges and opportunities that may arise.

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Grants have been awarded to the following organisations (click one each organisation to visit their website):

Merstham Community Facility Trust – Funding for a professional Fundraiser to broaden the income streams and volumes of funding for a community hub, working in partnership with multiple organisations.

“This grant has enabled us to access fundraising expertise and capacity which we don’t currently possess. We’ve already identified opportunities for improving and expanding our income streams and our own capabilities in terms of seeking funds. We are currently developing a fundraising strategy and the necessary tools and resources for us to progress this. Recovering from the impact of Covid on our financial viability and resilience has proved very challenging. This funding is a key part of our return to ‘business as usual’ and having confidence in our long-term viability.”

Chris Spragg, Trustee, Merstham Community Facility Trust

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Intergenerational Music Making – Funding for a feasibility study, community research and project delivery piece to understand current need for the charity and to plan for the future and increase opportunities available.

“This is truly wonderful news and a massive thank you to the donors whom were able to make this happen and support our vital community intergenerational work – research and training. We are all over the moon and THANK YOU.”

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The Orpheus Centre Trust – Funding for a feasibility study to asses the capacity to undertake a large scale capital funding project to meet the growing demand of service.

“We are very grateful for this grant which will enable us to move forward with a feasibility study for our capital build project. We have grown enormously in recent years and have strong ambitions to develop our site. Our plans include a large scale project to provide better learning experiences for the young disabled students who come here.

Demand for places at our college has significantly increased and we have insufficient space to expand in the current building. We want to be able to welcome more students and help them to learn essential independence and life skills for their future. This funding takes us another step towards achieving those aims and realising our ambitions .”

Lisa Whitbread, Communications and Engagement Manager, Orpheus Centre Trust

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Emm aus Transformation Trust Limited – Grant for a new CRM database to replace a manual system.

’We are so grateful for this grant for a CRM for The Lighthouse. It means we’ll be able to communicate more effectively, keep track of everyone from funders and donors, to referrers, volunteers and guests, and it will ensure that our database is kept confidential. We have grown to such a point that this is an essential part of the next stage in our development. Many thanks for your support!”

Lucy Greenland, The Lighthouse Trust Limited

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Farncombe Day Centre – Grant for new domestic laundry equipment to replace equipment that is no longer fit for purpose at a centre providing support for older people.
Farncombe Community Garden – Funding for a fully accessible disabled composting toilet in a community garden project in an area of disadvantage.
Stripey Stork – Grant towards the expansion of services to make them accessible to every family across Surrey that needs them.

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Read more about the Surrey Strategic Transformation Programme including how to apply for a grant.

Community Foundation for Surrey awards £383,376 to improve the wellbeing of people in Surrey

16th November 2022

We have just completed our most recent round of funding – addressing our Wellbeing theme.

It has been an extraordinary round. We received 119 applications requesting a total value of £774,000, the most for a single round of donor fund applications we have ever seen, reflecting the level of need in the community.

We are delighted to announce that our donor funds have awarded £383,376 to 64 groups.

Funded through the generous contribution of our donor funds, the Foundation’s Wellbeing theme supports:

Mental ill-health – supporting people to cope with and manage mental health issues and enable early intervention.
Addiction – Support people with drug, alcohol, and substance abuse-related issues.
Caring responsibilities – supporting people caring for others.
Reducing loneliness – provide older people with opportunities to access and participate in their local community to prevent isolation.
Supporting recovery – supporting therapy, advice, counselling, and practical help to aid recovery and improve lives.
Supporting families and parenting.
Addressing physical ill-health and disability.
Active lifestyles – promoting the benefits of healthy living and eating. Helping to counter obesity, preventable diseases, and mental ill-health.
Domestic abuse – supporting people experiencing domestic abuse by providing advice, practical help and/or temporary accommodation.

Not surprisingly in a round focused on Wellbeing, Mental health and isolation and loneliness featured as key issues and there was a broad spread of beneficiaries supported by the grants.

Sadly 29 projects we assessed and considered to be good were unfunded.

Other funding news

During this period, we have also been working on applications to our Strategic Transformation Programme. This programme is rolling, and we respond to applications as they are received. To date four projects have been funded with £35k.

Our Winter Poverty Fund has also awarded £37,725

We are already working on our latest batch of applications to our Equity and Inclusion round. We have received a more manageable 68 applications and look forward to sharing suitable applications with our donors.

Feedback from grant recipients for the Wellbeing round

We have received some fantastic feedback from our grant recipients. Here are a few of their comments (click on the organisation name to visit their website):

Be Me Project

– Be Me Project helps build positive mental wellbeing and confidence in life. They deliver their mental wellbeing sessions in a number of secondary schools, but we also offer the courses to ladies within the community, receive referrals from GP surgeries and work in hostels in Surrey and Brighton.

“Be Me encouraged me to come to school, because I struggled – and now I come in because of Be Me”.

A 14 year student with low school attendance because of anxiety

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Camberley and District Men’s Shed

– Men’s sheds are community spaces for men to connect, converse and create. The activities are often similar to those of garden sheds, but for groups of men to enjoy together. They help reduce loneliness and isolation, but most importantly, they’re fun.

“The treasurer of the upcoming Camberley & District Men’s Shed, Paul Cronin, was delighted to receive £4,000 from the Community Foundation for Surrey. They have also been granted the pictured cricket pavilion by Surrey Heath Borough Council as the home for their Shed which has been unoccupied for 10 years, so needs a lot of work to make it suitable for occupation. The money from CFS will greatly contribute to the cost of works needed so they can open and make a difference to the people in their community who are looking for companionship and an improved sense of purpose.”

Paul Cronin, Trustee & Treasurer, Camberley and District Men’s Shed

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Challengers

– Challengers is a charity that gives disabled children and young people the opportunity to play, have fun, and make friends in a safe and supportive environment.

“We are incredibly grateful to Green Shoots Fund and Community Foundation for Surrey for a generous grant to help cover salaries of our Internal Trainers. Many of our young, disabled beneficiaries have special needs and our Trainers are essential in training our Play and Youthworkers, so that everyone can have fun safely.”

Joanna McCaffrey, Trust Fundraising Officer, Challengers

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Cook4care

– Cook4care is a local community charity of volunteer cooks and drivers, who support young carers and their families by providing nutritious home cooked meals.

“The funding that Cook4care has received is essential in helping us to cook for our young carers in Surrey and their families. By freeing up time to enjoy with friends, family and on schoolwork, we have a positive impact on the mental and physical wellbeing of our young carers.“

Davina Davie and Maria Corry – founder trustees, Cook4care.

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Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity

– We help children under 5 with cerebral palsyand other motor learning impairments make the best possible start in life – and give families the support and skills to continue their development at home.

“Conductive Education (CE) is learning for life. Purposeful, enabling, and dynamic for children with neurological movement disorders. Seeking to harness potential and improve functional ability and life skills. The benefit of CE is that children learn how to be independent. Sessions allow a child to develop routines and engage in education and hobbies.”

Glenys Creese, Executive Manager, Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity

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Jigsaw (South East)

– Information, advice and guidance to help support bereaved children and young people and those facing the death of a loved one; supporting families across Surrey, parts of West Sussex, Kent and surrounding areas.

“We are thrilled to have received a generous £5,000 grant from Charles Russell Speechlys Community Fund through the Community Foundation for Surrey. This support will help us to make a real and lasting difference to the lives of bereaved children and young people living in Surrey, thank you.”

Janice Hoad, Grants Manager, Jigsaw (South East)

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LinkAble

– LinkAble is a charity that supports children and adults with learning disabilities in Woking and Surrey Heath, offering people activities and experiences they may struggle to access, supporting them to learn new skills, form lasting friendships and lead fulfilling, independent lives.

“We have repeatedly seen that with the right support, adults with learning disabilities can live more independent lives with meaning and opportunity.

The ongoing support received from Community Fund Surrey will ensure the delivery of Lifeskills Plus, a LinkAble programme providing adults with learning disabilities opportunities to develop essential independent living skills”.

Jamie Evans, Head of Services, LinkAble

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Oasis Childcare Centre

– Oasis provides vital support to vulnerable families and children in Elmbridge and the surrounding areas.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have received a grant towards the provision of our Freedom Programme for survivors of domestic abuse and our Adult Emotional Wellbeing Programme. These two courses are vital to our clients’ recovery in the aftermath of abuse, providing the foundation of support and friendship, independence and resilience, to rebuild their lives.”

Caroline Edwards, Founder & Director of Services, Oasis Childcare Centre

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Sight for Surrey

– Sight for Surrey is an ambitious charity offering a lifetime of support for people who are blind or partially sighted, Deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing.

“The Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO) service we provide in hospitals across Surrey is entirely funded by Sight for Surrey from voluntary donations so this grant from Community Foundation for Surrey, Carrington Family Trust Grants Fund, is vitally important. Our ECLO’s provide much needed information, advice and emotional support to anyone diagnosed with a vision impairment, signposting and referring them to services that can help them continue to live their life as independently as possible.”

Justine Jasper, Lead Eye Clinic Liaison Officer, Sight for Surrey

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Viewpoint Centre

– Viewpoint Centre CIO is a registered charity that has been fully endorsed to run courses in Surrey developed by TheHorseCourse. TheHorseCourse is a registered charity founded by Harriet Laurie in Dorset in 2011 as an equine assisted behavioural change programme . Originally, delivered in prisons but now in the wider community throughout the UK. Its charitable purpose is to reduce social exclusion through horse-assisted interventions.

“The pandemic has heightened existing challenges and disadvantages and created new challenges and risks to deal with for highly vulnerable young people. We have seen a rise in referrals as a results of pandemic-related isolation, increased social and health anxiety, pressure on family relationships, increased exposure to harm, household poverty and living conditions, reduced access to education and activities, risks to physical wellbeing and lack of hope/concern for the future. This funding will help us deliver our fundamental role supporting young people and their families to rebuild and restart.”

Katie Dockery, Founder, Viewpoint Centre

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Wishing Well Music for Health

– Wishing Well Music for Health provides live interactive Music for Wellbeing in healthcare settings. They work in partnership with NHS trusts across Sussex and Surrey, bringing live music interactions into hospitals and hospices – working closely with healthcare staff to make sure that our approach is right for each individual person.

“This new grant enables us to bring the joy of music making right to the bedsides of older patients at East Surrey Hospital. We’ll be singing songs and making music together, creating a space for older people to share their life stories, memories and talents. We can’t wait to get started!”

Jo White, Founder and CEO, Wishing Well Music for Health

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

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, Horsley, Bookham & Leatherhead RDA

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, Breck Foundation

Head2Head Sensory Theatre

– Charity dedicated to the Special Needs’ and Disability Community. We are passionate about making theatre accessible to all and understand that families who have a child with a disability face many barriers.

“We are thrilled to have the support from Community Foundation for Surrey. Many people with disabilities struggle to find a way into the world of performing arts and we want to open these doors to them. Our workshops will give them the confidence, experience and courage to look positively into a future working in theatre.”

Anni Rhodes-Steere, Founder Head2Head Sensory Theatre

Claygate Youth & Community Hub

– Claygate Youth & Community Hub is a registered charity which took over from Claygate Village Youth Association earlier this year. The main objects of both charities is to provide quality youth activities and youth work to Claygate and surrounding areas.

“A 3 year funding offer to support salaries is a massive weight off our trustee-shoulders. We now know 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.”

Susannah Moffat, Trustee, Claygate Youth & Community Hub

YMCA East Surrey

– YMCA East Surrey helps people to believe in themselves, support them to achieve their goals and inspire them to be the best they can be by providing services that focus on those who are vulnerable, have a disability or face disadvantage.

“You can sing, play the instruments or do some music tech and created songs on the computers. It is also a good place to meet nice people and music lovers who might be going through the same things as you. If I didn’t have this I would probably never go outside!”

Rhys, young person attending Beatz Music Project

Surrey Care Trust

– Surrey Care Trust provides learning, training and mentoring to support young people and adults in improving their chances in life.

“Thank you! Thanks to this generous grant, STEPS will be able to continue to help Surrey’s most vulnerable young people to gain the qualifications they need to go on to college or an apprenticeship and develop the personal skills to thrive in life”

Richard Tweddle, STEPS Centre Manager, Surrey Care Trust

Oakleaf

– The charity’s aim is to transform the lives and futures of adults managing their mental ill-health and help them secure the skills, confidence and training needed to return to the workplace.

“We are most grateful to the Trustees of the Netherby Trust Fund for their support of Oakleaf’s services for local young adults experiencing mental ill-health. Their grant will enable us to provide much-needed, expert support for people coping with the ongoing impact of the pandemic, for the coming three years”.

Clive Stone, Chief Executive, Oakleaf

LinkAble

– LinkAble is based in Surrey and helps children and adults with learning disabilities in Woking and Surrey Heath. The charity offers people activities and experiences that they struggle to access in the wider community, supporting them to learn new skills, form lasting friendships and lead fulfilling, independent lives.

“As a charity supporting local people with learning disabilities, LinkAble is extremely grateful for the continued support of CFS with their latest donation towards our vital work”.

Rhys Parker, Fundraising Manager, LinkAble

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

Together We Can Video Credits

5th August 2020

Shahid Azeem DL – High Sheriff of Surrey

Dele Ryder – Partnership and Business Development Manager, A2 Dominion

Michelle Blunsom MBE – Chief Executive, East Surrey Domestic Abuse Services

Jonathan Lees – Founder, Epsom and Ewell Foodbank

Nicola Dawes – Founder, Stripey Stork

Nick Brooks – Chair, Surrey Young People’s Fund

Professor Max Lu – Vice-Chancellor, University of Surrey

Craig Duncan – Service user, The Amber Foundation

Joy Wright – Founder, Emerge Advocacy

Seven Hills – Script

James Llewelyn – Cameraman

Goodwork PR Agency – Editing

Community Foundation for Surrey Donors, Trustees and staff

Over £332,000 awarded across Surrey in the latest Coronavirus Response Fund grants

15th July 2020

A further 52 charities have been awarded funding in the latest of our Coronavirus Response Fund Grants which has led to a staggering £332,520 that has been distributed to good causes across Surrey in recent weeks. This brings the total amount awarded from the Fund to over £1 million. These funds have helped many disadvantaged local people in need of support, to stay safe and to provide basic essentials during the challenging and unsettling times caused by the Coronavirus Pandemic.

It is thanks to the generosity of local people, businesses and funding from the National Emergencies Trust Appeal that we have raised over £1.5 million to date.

Below are some examples of how these grants will make a difference to the lives of people in Surrey:

The Include Project in Redhill were awarded funding to deliver choir and advice services online for people with learning disabilities, autism, dementia, brain injury, stroke or tumour. The Include Project supports clients with understanding and speech difficulties by teaching better ways of including and involving those with specific communication needs. They do this through community choir sessions, performances, workshops and training. The weekly Include Choir gives these members an outlet to engage with familiar faces and meaningful, uplifting activity in a safe and welcoming environment. It also helps their care staff with structure and regular activity.

The Virtual Tea Break:

“In the same way that people in a wheelchair need a ramp to access buildings, people with understanding and speaking difficulties need a ramp to access the lives and services we take for granted.

Include is building that ramp through The Include Choir, which provides empowering social musical opportunities for people with communication needs and teaches communication skills to choir members, care staff and audiences alike. In addition to the Choir, Include provides music and communication activities and training, based on clinical evidence, to health and social care providers, third sector organisations and more.

Despite Covid-19’s significant challenges, Include has been able to adapt and continue including our members, thanks to the support of our funders.”

– Alix Lewer, Director, The Include Project

Re-engage who seek to support people who live alone aged 75 and over received funding towards their essential running costs and befriending service. The scheme is called Call Companions and is a free service for anyone over-75 who lives alone and feels they could do with a friendly phone call every week or two. The same person calls every time so, gradually, clients and callers get to know one another. It helps lift everyone’s spirits and makes them feel more connected to the world.

“On behalf of us all here at Re-engage, thank you for your generous support of our call companions programme. Your support will make all the difference to lonely older people in Surrey. One of our volunteer call companions recently told us, “One guest I spoke to told me she hadn’t used her voice in two weeks. She hadn’t spoken to a soul.” Your funding will help us reach those that need us the most.”

– Kitty Blackwell, Director of Fundraising and Communications, Re-engage

The 50 other charities who received funding were:

Active Prospects in Reigate received funding to purchase equipment and supply activities to support the physical and mental well-being of people with learning disabilities, autism or acquired brain injury
Age Concern Epsom and Ewell advice and information helpline which supports older people, has received a contribution towards staff costs to help the charity respond to a large increase in demand for their service
Belong: Making Justice Happen, who are based in Woking received funding to provide support, information and basic needs packs for released and incarcerated prisoners
Byfleet Community Action (Byfleet Care) received a grant towards the salary cost of a Volunteer Coordinator, for a service in Byfleet, that offers transport to medical appointments and a delivery service of shopping for isolated elderly people
Camberley Nepali (G) Society were awarded funding to help support the older Nepalese Society with shopping deliveries, prescription drop offs and regular support phone calls to support some of Camberley’s most isolated people
Care Ashore were awarded a grant to purchase equipment and cover volunteer costs to provide activities for retired seafarers at a care home in Alford
Connect Counselling Service, who are based in Camberley were awarded a grant to work remotely whilst maintaining their one-to-one counselling for clients struggling with emotional and relationship difficulties
Creative Response Arts in Farnham were awarded funding to provide art-based therapy and activity packs to people suffering from mental health disorders and other disabilities
Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity received funding towards the essential running costs, IT costs and education technology to support families across Surrey with children that have cerebral palsy aged 5 and under
Fairlands, Liddington Hall, and Gravetts Lane Community Association in Guildford obtained funding to produce information and activity packs to isolated older people during the pandemic
Family Voice Surrey, based in Leatherhead, received funding to provide online and telephone support to carers in each of the 11 Surrey boroughs
Fredericks Foundation in Lightwater received funding to staff a help desk aimed at low income and financially excluded families who largely fall outside the government financial support packages
Global Grooves Foundation obtained a grant to purchase and deliver goods and groceries for 22 high priority families in Woking (experiencing low income, unemployment, isolation or recently grieving)
Guildford Shakespeare Company were supported to purchase equipment and resources to offer an online play writing and drama course to improve the mental health of some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged families in Surrey
Hale Community Centre obtained funding for a community store to borrow or swap a variety of items (including puzzles & board games, books, musical instruments, garden games etc) to support local people
Haslemere Educational Museum received a grant towards the essential running costs, salary costs and material costs to continue their outreach to the local community through online workshops, videos and resources for families with young children and vulnerable adults
Hersham Youth Trust obtained funding toward the essential running costs to run youth clubs and online and phone support for local disadvantaged and vulnerable young people
Home-Start Elmbridge obtained funding for a specialist Family Support Worker to help struggling families with parenting and mental health support
Home-Start Surrey Heath received a grant towards the essential running costs to continue support for families with a child aged 5 or under, that are struggling to cope
Home-Start Waverley were awarded a contribution to essential running costs for a charity supporting families with young children facing wide-ranging difficulties
Imago Dei Prison Ministry received funding to support vulnerable and isolated women in prisons, to improve their mental well being
It’s Not Your Birthday But, based in Claygate and Walton on Thames, received a grant to support isolated older people’s mental health by providing creative activity packs, socially distanced portraits and interviews for a biography
KidsOut in Guildford were awarded funding towards the purchase of food vouchers for women in refuge in Surrey to enable mothers to purchase essential groceries
Man and Boy, a charity that promotes positive male role models for boys where there is no father figure, received a grant to provide a remote programme for vulnerable boys aged 9-12 with weekly support worker contact
The Meath Epilepsy Trust, a specialist residential care home in Godalming for adults who have complex epilepsy, severe physical and learning disabilities were awarded funding towards the purchase of separate changing facilities for staff
Mustard Seed Autism Trust, a charity supporting children with autism received funding to make resources available online and support families remotely at a time when they also experiencing a substantial increase in enquiries
Oakleaf Enterprise in Guildford, received funding towards their Client Service Outreacher Worker supporting people experiencing mental ill-health and isolation
Painshill Park Trust Limited in Cobham, were awarded a grant to provide a safe space for older isolated people, and older volunteers to return to duties following the COVID-19 lockdown
Painting our World in Silver in Weybridge, obtained funding toward the purchasing of art and craft packages that help the isolated and elderly
Princess Alice Hospice in Esher, obtained funding toward the purchase of essential Personal Protective Equipment to continue their services supporting people with life limiting illnesses
Prison Advice & Care Trust (PACT) in Woking, received funding to provide advice and support to the children and families of prisoners. The charity provide support through food vouchers, emergency supplies, household items, clothing and have developed special new online resources and printable activity packs
Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People received funding towards the additional costs incurred by acquiring Personal Protective Equipment for those providing care for adults and children with disabilities
Reigate & Banstead Borough African and Caribbean Community Association were awarded funding to support African and Caribbean communities. Support packages include providing transportation, personal assistance and delivery of shopping, food vouchers and prescriptions
Samaritans East Surrey were awarded funding for IT and cleaning equipment, and some essential running costs so they can continue supporting the most vulnerable and isolated
Sebastian’s Action Trust obtained funding to provide online services, food/essential supplies, and activity bags to vulnerable families who have children with a life-limiting or life-threatening illness in Surrey Heath and Guildford
Something To Look Forward To, a Guildford based charity, were awarded funding to provide essential items including bedding, toiletries and clothing for people affected by cancer who are experiencing financial hardship during and in the aftermath of the Coronavirus pandemic
Southwark Diocesan Welcare obtained a grant towards the cost of food vouchers to support with vulnerable families from Surrey with children up to the age of 13
Stanwell Village Hall received funding to enable a village hall to host a food bank, cooking meals for vulnerable and self isolating members of the community
Surrey Choices Employability received funding to provide IT Equipment and access to WiFi for disabled people and their families
Surrey Family & Mediation Services received funding toward the purchase of equipment and software licences to enable a mediation service to deliver their service online
Synergy Dance Outreach were awarded a grant to provide remote yoga and exercise classes to older people and people with disabilities
Talk, a charity based in Guildford, were awarded a grant to provide a remote support service, including activity packs and telephone support to people who have been affected by a stroke and have aphasia
Taylor Made Dreams obtained funding toward food and hygiene parcels for families who have a child suffering from a life-limiting illness
The Autism Trust from Camberley were awarded funding for essential running costs, online support and a telephone line for families with Autism Spectrum Disorder members
The Woodlarks Centre in Farnham, received a grant to purchase equipment to enable online physiotherapy sessions for people with learning disabilities
Three Counties Money Advice in Haslemere, were given a grant towards the purchase of equipment to enable staff to work from home and give financial advice to vulnerable families who have had reduced working hours or have been furloughed
Transform Housing and Support were awarded further funding for Personal Protective Equipment for staff and volunteers at a homelessness charity
Voluntary Support North Surrey were awarded funding to provide online training to volunteers to support the Third Sector in North Surrey with centres in Camberley, Chertsey and Staines. Training will include befriending, buddying and fundraising
Waverley Hoppa Community Transport, a transport charity supporting older, disabled and/or vulnerable people, received funding for 3 months of Personal Protective Equipment
Young Epilepsy in Lingfield, received two grants to purchase laptops to enable staff to work remotely alongside young people with epilepsy and their families

Phase 2 Funding

We are extremely proud to announce that we have awarded our first grants from Phase 2 of our Coronavirus Response grant-making. Together with local partners, we have awarded over £58,000 to furnish a new Refuge that will support up to 20 victims and their families fleeing domestic abuse, at a time when staying at home is not the safest place for them to be. Read more here.

A group of 8 Surrey charities led by young people’s charity, Eikon have been awarded a total of £50,000 to help deal with the surge in demand for children and young people’s mental health services following the Coronavirus Pandemic.

For more information and how to apply for a grant from our Coronavirus Response Fund, please visit our webpage here!

SURREY CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE FUND REACHES £1 MILLION

28th April 2020

The Community Foundation for Surrey urges people to continue to donate as Surrey’s charities face increased demand.

The Surrey Coronavirus Response Fund, established by the Community Foundation for Surrey, has reached the remarkable milestone of £1 million raised. The Foundation, which brings together local donors with those providing positive solutions to the issues facing Surrey, has already distributed more than £600,000 from the emergency fund.

Laura Thurlow, Chief Executive of The Community Foundation for Surrey says:

“The generosity and response of our community to this crisis has been extraordinary. This milestone is the clearest example yet of what our community is able to do when we come together. And whilst this is definitely good news, the reality is there are still hundreds of groups who are in need of funding. I am certain this £1 million milestone will inspire those of us in Surrey who can help, to donate now so we can keep on helping and plan for the crucial next stage of support.”

The £1 million figure includes £326,700 from the National Emergencies Trust Coronavirus Appeal, and more than £717,000 in donations from generous local donors and partners. This concerted effort has ensured the Foundation has been able to quickly award emergency funding to 122 community groups reaching more than 90,000 beneficiaries across Surrey.

Funding needs continue during uncertain times

These emergency grants have been used by charities to cover unexpected expenses. Sarah Beasley, Scheme Manager at Home-Start Runnymede and Woking, and her team were surprised when they discovered many families lacked simple basics for their children, such as craft materials, pens and paper:

“Our family support worker offered to bring around some colouring books for the children. And the mum said, ‘OK, yeah, that’ll be great. But we don’t have any crayons or pens.’ And that was when it really hits us that actually so many families don’t have anything. So what we’ve used some of our [grant] funding for is a whole load of resource packs.”

The urgency has also seen the charity, which supports families with young children through their challenging times, distributing its Christmas donations in April due to the sudden need for toys and games. Sarah Beasley continues:

“Obviously that will be a challenge when it comes to Christmas. But we just thought, actually, this is where the real need is now. It’s the kind of decision that needs to be made straight away – and we just have to do it.”

Other charities are finding themselves unexpectedly struggling to meet their essential running costs during a period of increased demand. Jen Clay, Fundraising and Partnership Manager at Oakleaf Enterprise, a mental health charity based in Guildford and serving Surrey, says:

“The £5,000 grant from The Community Foundation for Surrey, from the emergency fund, that was one of the very first grants we received. And I remember it being such a moment of hope, because to be honest, that was at the start where we really were concerned whether Oakleaf was financially going to make it through this.

We don’t know when the lockdown is going to lift. We don’t know when fundraising will resume. We expect a shortfall of £100,000 this financial year, which for us a small charity is huge. We need to make sure that our core costs are covered so that not only can we be there during this crisis, but we can also be there on the other side when we’re only going to see an increase in the need for our services.”

Laura Thurlow continues:

“So many of our community groups have had their fundraising efforts put on hold whilst demand for their services only continues to increase. We are grateful to everyone for the amount we’ve raised, yet we know we need to keep looking ahead to that next milestone. Together we can make sure that this emergency fund is there for our community’s charities even beyond the lockdown – just as they have been there for so many in Surrey during this crisis.”

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) have estimated that charities across the UK stand to lose £4 billion in 12 weeks as a result of the crisis.

Charity and community groups interested in applying for Coronavirus Response Funding, can find the eligibility guidelines online and apply online here. Applications can be made either by filling out a short online form or by selecting a time for a telephone interview with a CFS volunteer.

To donate

Donations to the Fund are collected securely online through Virgin Money Giving and by direct bank transfer.

A list of additional grantees is available here.