News
Launch of 'Hidden Surrey Community Fund'
The Community Foundation for Surrey has launched a new fund which enables people in the county to unite to support neighbours in need. The ‘Hidden Surrey Community Fund’, which was launched at the Birtley House Sculpture Garden in Bramley, will help those who are disadvantaged or excluded, whether due to social or economic deprivation, illness or disability. Grants from the collective Fund will be directed towards areas of highest need so that those making donations will know that their support will make the largest impact.
The Foundation’s commissioned report, ‘Hidden Surrey’ by Dr Helen Bowcock, shows the surprising depth of social disadvantage in Surrey. The report, based on extensive research and consultation with voluntary and community groups, makes a powerful case for the need for more people to give locally.
Dr Bowcock says, “It is easy to be unaware of the extent of social deprivation locally because so often it is concealed. For example, Surrey is a wonderful place to bring up children, but it isn’t obvious that child poverty within the county has increased over recent years to 44% of children living in one area of the county. We have pockets of deprivation that are surrounded by areas of well above average wealth. This drives down the statistics, diverting government funds out of the county to areas of more widespread need.”
The new ‘Hidden Surrey Community Fund’ will be able to support a variety of projects throughout the county. For example, providing respite care for parents with disabled children; literacy, lifeskills and IT training for parents from deprived estates struggling to cope; befriending programmes for elderly isolated people; youth clubs for disaffected young people; and sporting opportunities for those with mental health problems.
These projects will be delivered by some of the many voluntary and community groups doing extraordinary work throughout the county. Professor Patrick Dowling, Chair of the Community Foundation for Surrey, says, “We know that there are many groups for whom, even a small donation can make a big impact. We are also aware that many people want to give locally, but don’t always know the best way of doing this. By creating this shared fund for the county we can deliver grant funding to those who really need it and collectively make a difference to our local communities.”
The Community Foundation was established in 2004 to encourage philanthropy and support local giving. Since it was founded it has supported 552 organisations with grants totalling £1.6 million, and this new Fund will join others it manages on behalf of local philanthropists. To make a donation to the ‘Hidden Surrey Community Fund’ or find out more about the work of the Community Foundation for Surrey go to www.justgiving.com/hiddensurrey, visit www.communityfoundationsurrey.org.uk or call Wendy Varcoe or Fran Everist directly on 01483 409230
Ends
10 May 2010