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Shepperton Studios Community Fund Grants Announced

15th May 2024

Shepperton Studios have awarded the latest round of grants from their Community Fund. The £500,000 Fund was launched in 2022 to support local individuals, non-profit and voluntary organisations including charities, social enterprises, and community groups that serve the Shepperton area and wider borough of Spelthorne. The fund applications are reviewed and presented twice a year and has so far supported 17 local organisations, including five in this latest round. 

Tristam Slater, General Manager, Shepperton Studios said,

“Supporting local organisations around Shepperton Studios is of the highest importance to us as a local business and employer, and with this latest round of grants from the Shepperton Community Fund we are supporting wellbeing initiatives across the community from Childbirth to wellbeing initiatives.”

In this fourth round of grants, five organisations have been awarded grants:

  • TALK Ashford supports people with aphasia (primarily resulting from stroke) by enabling them to practise all aspects of communication and promote confidence in a supportive environment, leading to increased participation and independence in the community. Awarded £2,500.
  • Home-Start Spelthorne offers friendship and confidential support to Spelthorne families with young children to help them through difficulties and prevent these becoming crises. We recruit, train and support volunteers with parenting experience and match them to families with children up to age 11 who are experiencing loneliness, mental or physical illness or disability of child or parent, domestic abuse, poverty, inability to cope and other problems.  Awarded £10,000.
  • Dance Woking  have nurtured and sustained the overall dance ecology in Woking & wider Surrey benefitting many thousands of people as performers, participants or audiences. This year the organisation celebrates 30 years of dance centred activity. Dance Woking provides participation opportunities, to inspire creativity and to connect individuals of all ages in moving and memorable artistic experiences. Their pop-up and festival appearances; working with partners, in shopping centres or local parks, bringing public spaces to life, engaging whole communities, and showcasing skills in extraordinary ways. Working with targeted communities the funding enables Dance Woking to remove some of the financial barriers to participation. Awarded £2,285.
  • Charlton Village Residents Association represents the residents of Charlton Village within the wider community. The association promotes membership to all residents within Charlton Village and represents the interests and rights of residents whilst encouraging them to be more actively involved. Awarded £5,000.

Derek Ferguson , Chair, Charlton Residents Association

“Charlton Village Resident’s Association were delighted to be awarded £5,000 from the community fund. This money will be used to improve and enhance our village and bring colour to our verges and borders. We are very grateful to Pinewood for this award.”

  • National childbirth Trust Sunbury and Shepperton Branch the Sunbury, Shepperton and Chertsey NCT is a branch of the national charity. We aim to support each unique journey of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. The branch has been active locally for over 30 years by providing antenatal and postnatal classes, breastfeeding support and weekly parent and baby groups. Awarded £5,000.

Dianne White, NCT Sunbury and Shepperton, said,

“We are absolutely delighted to receive funding support from Shepperton Studios Community Fund.  Both our weekly drop-ins have been steadily building in momentum since returning to in-person support, so to know we are secure for another year is a huge relief.  We look forward to supporting many more expectant and new parents/carers.”

Rebecca Bowden, CEO of Community Foundation for Surrey said,

“We’re delighted to be able to support Shepperton Studios with their Community Fund to make a huge positive difference to their local communities. It is pleasing that the fund has been able to support people of all ages with this set of grants, from new mums to young children to adults affected by aphasia.”

The Community Foundation for Surrey works with Shepperton Studios to identify worthwhile causes and oversees the implementation and monitoring of all projects that are supported by the Shepperton Studios Community Fund. 

How to apply for a grant

To be considered for an award in December 2024, please send an expression of interest by 9am Monday 8th July 2024. If you are invited to make full application, you will be provided with a link to the application form on 22nd July 2024. The deadline for full applications is 9am Monday 2nd September 2024.

Please access the following website for further information and register on the ‘Expression of Interest’ page https://www.cfsurrey.org.uk/makeanapplication/.


Please note, grants will be awarded subject to meeting the Fund Criteria.

Woking Community Fund – a fund by and for the people of Woking since 2012

5th March 2024

A man in a white apron paints a bird box brown that has been made in a workshop

In a world where communities face diverse challenges, the importance of local support cannot be overstated. For residents of Woking, the Woking Community Fund offers vital assistance to grassroots organisations making a difference in our borough. But what sets this fund apart, and how does it empower locals to create positive change?

First and foremost, it’s crucial to understand the independent nature of the Woking Community Fund. This fund is administered by Community Foundation for Surrey (CFSurrey), an independent registered charity with no direct affiliation to Woking Borough Council, or any other public sector body. The fund was set up in 2012 by local business people and has been run by a team of volunteers ever since, all overseen by the trustees of the Community Foundation for Surrey who have been overall responsibility for the governance and strategy of the foundation.

Led by a dedicated panel of volunteers, including Taravat Taher-Zadeh (Chair), Shahid Azeem DL, Elizabeth Duggan, and Mark Stevens, the Woking Community Fund embodies the spirit of local empowerment. These passionate individuals oversee the fund’s fundraising and awarding of grants, supported by the Community Foundation for Surrey who ensure that donations are channelled directly into projects that benefit our community. From combating social isolation to providing essential support services, every grant awarded reflects the collective effort to uplift Woking and its residents.

But how much impact can local giving truly have? The answer lies in the generosity of donors like you. The Woking Community Fund operates on a simple yet powerful principle: the more we receive in donations, the more we can award to local organisations. The Community Foundation for Surrey has awarded over £22m in grants since it was set up in 2005, and the Woking Fund alone has awarded over £138k since 2012; supporting small local organisations, empowering them to address pressing community needs with flexibility and efficiency.

However, it’s essential to acknowledge the Woking Community Fund is now operating in a landscape where previous sources of funding are limited. Despite our best efforts, our resources may not match those previously provided. Nevertheless, this reality underscores the importance of grassroots philanthropy and the resilience of our community in the face of challenges.

As we navigate the complexities of local giving, transparency and accountability remain paramount. The Woking Community Fund prides itself on its open and transparent allocations process. While all donations are pooled to support various Woking community causes, the panel ensure that grants are made aligning with the fund values and priorities.

In conclusion, the Woking Community Fund represents a shining example of the power of local giving to create positive change. Through independence from the council and a steadfast commitment to community empowerment, this fund empowers locals to make a tangible difference in the lives of their neighbours.

If you are able and would like to help us, you can donate to the Woking Community Fund here:
https://www.cfsurrey.org.uk/wokingdonate

Grants will be awarded to support the following:

  • Supporting projects or improving facilities which combat social isolation and disadvantage;
  • Helping people to gain confidence and raise aspirations through training and development of new skills;
  • Providing counselling, advice, respite and support; and
  • Supporting people who are experiencing difficult circumstances due to an illness, injury, disability, bereavement or financial difficulty.
  • Grants may fund existing services or facilities and new initiatives and can contribute to either capital costs such as funding new equipment or support on-going running costs.

Application Deadlines

14th November 2017

Chief Executive - Vacancy

From financial year 2018-19 the Community Foundation will operate quarterly deadlines for our main grants programme. The deadlines will be:

30th March 2018

29th June 2018

28th September 2018

28th December 2018

Expressions of Interest are accepted at any time

A Stroke of Genius at The Therapy Garden

2nd June 2017

A stroke of genius at Normandy Therapy Garden

A grant of £3,800 has supported The Therapy Garden in Normandy in offering a therapeutic horticulture course to 12 local stroke survivors. The group took part in a range of gardening activities such as growing, harvesting and maintaining the gardens. They enjoyed activities at their own pace, in a peaceful and supportive environment supported by volunteers and experienced horticulturists.

A Stroke of Genius

The Therapy Garden is a horticulture and education charity that uses gardening to generate positive change. The ‘Stroke of Genius’ project offers social and therapeutic horticulture to a group of stroke survivors and their carers. It provides stroke survivors with gentle exercise and physical activity whilst they learn about gardening. Stroke sufferers are prone to becoming isolated while they are recovering. This project offers an opportunity to socialise and connect with new people, whilst being inclusive of carers.

It had previously partnered with the Stroke Association to run a taster course for eight stroke survivors. When the pilot ended, the group expressed a desire to return. The grant enabled the course to run for a further six weeks and to expand the number of attendees. Volunteers enjoyed seeing the group return, building relationships with the group and seeing how they progressed during the course.

A Stroke Association support worker encouraged Nicholas* to attend Therapy Garden. Nicholas has always been a keen gardener and explained “It’s nice to get back into gardening and now I’m encouraged to do more in my own garden.”

Referrals to The Therapy Garden are made by local coordinators of national charities such as the Stroke Association. Alternatively a GP can refer you, or it is possible to self-refer. To find out more about The Therapy Garden, the services they offer and how to get involved, please see their website.

*Name changed

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Tandridge Voluntary Service Council & CFS FUNDING SURGERY Wednesday 18 January

3rd January 2017

Kate Peters

Does your group need funding?  If so come along and meet the Grants Manager for Community Foundation for Surrey (CFS) to discuss your funding needs.

Tandridge Voluntary Service Council and CFS are running a FUNDING SURGERY on Wednesday 18 January 2017 12.30pm- 2.30pm at Oxted Community Hub, First Floor above Oxted Library, 14 Gresham Road, Oxted. RH8 0BQ

Did you know…..?

  • Tandridge charities and voluntary groups are not applying for funding that could be theirs!
  • 65% of groups who submit an expression of interest go on to receive funding
  • 85% of applications are successful

Following a short presentation from Kate Peters, Grants Manager for CFS there will be an opportunity to book a ‘one-to-one’ chat with her to discuss your funding needs.

To book a place compete the attached form and return to info@tvsc.org.uk by Wednesday 11 January.

Horsleys Community Fund supports Tea party for older residents

9th May 2016

The Horsleys Community Fund were delighted to support the St Mary’s Church Heart and Soul Ladies Group Mad Hatters Tea party for older residents in East Horsley Village Hall earlier this year. The event promoted companionship and encouraged new friendships reducing isolation and loneliness.

Find out more about the Horsleys Community Fund and view thier latest e-news bulletin here.

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Helping those with mental ill health have fun and access support

27th April 2016

A grant of £1,000 to 4getMe-Nots has supported isolated individuals, particularly those with mental health problems, to meet on a weekly basis, take part in activities, receive support and access services and community facilities.

Whilst the group aims to reduce isolation, it is also a place where community needs can be expressed with Community Wardens and others working within the local community. Additionally, the group helps participants to practice techniques suggested by organisations such as the NHS which are designed to help people with mental health problems. The group also enables members to learn about practical ideas to improve their caring skills by talking to other carers and benefit from respite care.

The group runs in a notable area of deprivation and many residents suffer from social isolation as a result of their mental health problems. Participants look forward to each session and to the benefits that they receive from well-being courses and the activities provided, impacting positively on their overall health.

The group offers courses throughout the year, which include craft skills and first aid training, as well as informative talks for the group on subjects of interest. This grant has also supported the group to go on some day trips which provide a safe, supported and affordable opportunity for people to visit places they otherwise wouldn’t be able to.

 

 

Horsleys Community Fund supports the village’s war veterans

31st March 2016

On 11th November the Horsleys Community Fund supported the 7th Annual Remembrance Day Veterans Lunch held in the barn of the Barley Mow. The local fund panel were delighted to continue this tradition established by the Lady Noel Byron Trust.

30 people attended including 15 veterans who, with their family and other supporters filled the barn which had been suitably decked out with flags and bunting.

There was a special presentation to Ron Hancock and Ian Stemson from the British Legion and the proceeds of a well supported raffle will be given to the British Legion. A meal and a glass of wine was enjoyed by all and we hope to continue for some years yet.

Find out more about the Horsleys Community Fund and view their latest e-news bulletin here.

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