Our impact

The difference we’re making in Somerset

Grants made to organisations during 2022/23

We publish our grants via 360Giving. Find out more about the grants we’ve awarded here.

Find out more about the grants we’ve awarded by reading our Somerset Stories

Below you can hear from some of the groups we have supported and read about the difference our generous donors have made across Somerset, through the Foundation.

Somerset Stories: Burnham BMX Club

BMX rider in helmet at event in mid-air. people watching behind a fence and marquees in the distanceBurnham BMX Club is a grassroots community organisation based at Apex Park track. The club shines a light on local talent, but struggled to get enough illumination for night rides.

Will Clarke from Burnham BMX Club explains how Somerset Community Foundation has helped shine a light on members’ racing ambitions with a grant for almost £10,000 from the HPC Community Fund’s small grants programme.

Read the full story here

Somerset Stories: Magdalen Environmental Trust

Dan Stevens, Head of Environmental Education at Magdalen Farm, explains how a grant for almost £50,000 from the Hinkley Point C (HPC) Community Fund is helping impacted local Bridgwater pupils benefit from the natural world through Forest School programmes and residentials stays at Magdalen Farm.

Read the full story here

Somerset Stories: Somerset Wildlife Trust

We recently spoke to Mark Ward, Wilder Coasts Project Manager at Somerset Wildlife Trust. We awarded the charity a £92,330 grant over 3 years from the HPC Community Fund. Mark told us how the continuation funding will allow them to further develop the charity’s Wilder Coastal Action Network, working with communities from Minehead to Brean.

Read the full story here

Somerset Stories: Countrymen UK

A man holding a hose, watering tomato plants in a polytunnel. He's smiling at the camera wearing a short sleeved checked shirt and jeans.Countrymen UK offers a lifeline to men from rural backgrounds living with conditions like dementia. Contributing to farm life gives them fulfilling days, and the chance to beat social isolation by getting outside, while carers get a well-earned rest. Find out how a partnership between Hunt’s Food Group and Somerset and Dorset Community Foundations helped support their vital work now and for the future.

Liz Rose, manager of Countrymen UK in Sherborne, explains how they help men beat social isolation by reconnecting to the rural environment.

Read the full story here

Somerset Stories: ActionTrack

Men in a music studio with various musical instruments including keyboard and guitarsNick Brace, Artistic Director at community theatre leaders Actiontrack, believes music can change lives. The organisation’s open-ended and collaborative approach means more people without access to the arts are discovering how creativity can unlock potential as well as pleasure.

We spoke to him about how our 3-year grant for £96,000 from the Hinkley Point C Community Fund supercharged Actiontrack’s mission to help turn more people into musical leaders.

Read the full story here

 

Somerset Stories: Fairy Hill Market Garden

Lots of leafy green vegetables growing in the ground with a polytunnel in the distanceThe head of Fairy Hill Market Garden shares how Somerset Community Foundation helped the project bring the benefits of sustainable, locally-grown, organic food to more local people, helping change people’s lives from the ground up thanks to £2,000 of funding from our SWEF Enterprise Grants programme.

Read the full story here

Somerset Stories: Wivey Cares

Over the past few years Wivey Cares has become an established service within the local community. They enable quality support and care services for local people by recruiting local self employed carers.

David Patterson, founder of Wivey Cares, explains how our funding supports an innovative and kinder approach to local care.

Read the full story here

Somerset Stories: Bridgwater and Albion Rugby Football Club

Lots of older people standing smiling at the camera in a clubEmma Kemmish, marketing coordinator at Bridgwater and Albion Rugby Football Club, explains how blended social investment funding (part loan, part grant) from our Somerset Social Enterprise Fund helped heat up their community activities.

Read the full story here

Somerset Stories: Millennium Wood

Ash Millennium Wood dates back to 1998 when Ash Parish Council purchased the site from Somerset Council. The Parish Council established the community wood to mark the millennium and invited parishioners to plant trees. Mick Wooden, Wood Manager at Ash Millennium Wood Management Group, near Martock, explains how their recent grant from Somerset Community Foundation is helping volunteers fuel local biodiversity.

Read the full story here

Somerset Stories: The Bluebirds Theatre Company

A big group of people sitting and standing on grass, watch a mobile theatre act in front of a blue mini-stage in a park

The Bluebirds Theatre Company aren’t your average acting troupe. Thanks to a solar-powered mobile theatre they take shows to new spaces on a mission to unlock audiences’ creativity and bring communities together.

We spoke to Sasha Herriman, Artistic Director at The Bluebirds Theatre Company, who explained how, with help of our funding, she’s helping communities unlock their creativity.

Read the full story here

Somerset Stories: North Taunton Partnership

Four women sit smiling at the camera with teas, at the Community Centre

North Taunton Partnership is the charity that runs Priorswood Community Centre, supporting some of the most vulnerable in the local community. They hold daily advice surgeries, social, fitness, and educational groups, coffee mornings and youth activities.

We spoke to the Manager, Lesley Councill, who told us more about what they do, and how a £2,000 grant from The Somerset Fund contributed towards school holiday youth activities, providing fun, friendship and support for low-income families in the area.

Read the full story here

Somerset Stories: The Hub at Bridgwater

The Hub at Bridgwater is a charity working in partnership with several organisations. They are a community resource that brings people together, in order to benefit the wider community, through its activities, information, training, signposting, support and networking.

We spoke to Centre Manager John Hardy who told us how a £2,500 grant from The Somerset Fund helped to keep them going through the height of the pandemic.

Read the full story here

20th Anniversary Somerset Stories: 2BU

This year 2BU Somerset celebrates 20 years of promoting the wellbeing and positive mental health of young people who identify as LGBTQ+. Chief Executive Lisa Snowdon-Carr explains how Somerset Community Foundation supports their vital work in the community.

Read the full story here

20th Anniversary Somerset Stories: Bradford-on-Tone Village Shop

The Bradford-on-Tone village shop is run for the community by volunteers from within the community, on a not-for-profit basis. They stock quality products from local suppliers, including everyday groceries, frozen foods, dairy goods and household essentials.

We spoke to a member of the committee, Viv Adams, who told us how a £2,500 grant from The Somerset Fund meant they were able to invest in a new display freezer, buy new signage and display cases, and give the whole shop a makeover.

Read the full story here

20th Anniversary Somerset Stories: Home-Start West Somerset

We first funded Home-Start West Somerset in 2003 and since then we’ve awarded the charity almost £250,000. Home-Start West Somerset works with families in west Somerset, offering support, friendship and practical help to parents with young children in their local community.

Clare Pound, manager at the charity, told us how, thanks to their £6,129 grant from our Somerset Cost-of-Living Crisis Appeal, they’re able to meet more of the surging demand from families.

Read the full story here

20th Anniversary Somerset Stories: Children’s World

Children’s World was one of the very first charities we funded, and we’ve been very pleased to have been able to fund them many times over the last 20 years, awarding over £20,000 in grants in the last two years alone.

Founded in 1981 by Arabella Churchill to provide educational, creative and social benefits for all children with particular reference to children with special needs, Children’s World runs a wide variety of workshops in schools, alongside other outreach and community activities. The charity believes strongly that when children are having fun and enjoying themselves, they are far more open to learning and creativity.

We spoke to Paddy Hill, Director of Children’s World who told us more about their work and how grant funding from SCF has allowed them to develop and grow.

Read the full story here

20th Anniversary Somerset Stories: West Pennard Gardening Club

West Pennard Gardening Club brings the community of West Pennard and neighbouring villages together once a month. Members enjoy guest speakers in the village hall, alongside two coach trips, and a meal at the local pub each Christmas.

We spoke to treasurer and committee member Iris Goodby, who told us how a £500 grant from The Somerset Fund helped the committee members breathe new life into the club, following the fallow years of Covid.

Read the full story here

20th Anniversary Somerset Stories: In Charley’s Memory

A picture of Jamie Scanlon at reception, Grants Manager at In Charley’s Memory

In Charley’s Memory first received funding from us in 2015, and we’ve supported the group with almost £20,000 in grants since they first applied to us for money. The charity provides counselling for anyone over the age of 11 who is experiencing mental health difficulties. We spoke to Grants Manager Jamie Scanlon, who told us more about how their most recent grant for £2,025 from The Somerset Fund in July 2022, is helping their counsellors to deliver crucial support with up-to-date training for their Continuing Professional Development.

 

Read the full story here

20th Anniversary Somerset Stories: Axe Valley Men’s Shed

Axe Valley Men’s Shed is one of the most recent Men’s Shed to have received funding from us. We’ve supported the group with over £12,000 in grants since they first applied for money in 2020.

The Shed provides a safe place for men to come and undertake activities that help improve mental health and wellbeing, reducing social isolation and providing the places and spaces for people to get together and take part in projects that benefit local people and community.

We spoke to Andy Laken, Chairman of Axe Valley Men’s Shed who told us more about their work and how, for some, a few hours a week can make the difference between life and death.

Read the full story here

Somerset Stories: St Peter’s Community Centre

The team at St Peters Community Centre

St Peters Community Centre in Westfield, Yeovil, is a facility for the whole community. It’s a hub for many local groups, and is a welcoming warm space for all.

We spoke to Marie Rice, manager at the community centre, who told us how, thanks to their £1,000 warm space grant from our Somerset Cost-of-Living Crisis Fund, they’re now opening their doors to their community for longer.

Read the full story here

Somerset Stories: Yeovil Youth Theatre

Yeovil Youth Theatre is a not-for-profit, inclusive training and performance-based theatre group, where young people with an interest in theatre have the opportunity to learn what it’s like at a minimal cost.

We spoke to chairman Karl Gill who told us how a £1,000 grant from The Somerset Fund helped the group through the ‘dark’ days.

Read the full story here

20th Anniversary Somerset Stories: Taunton Pride

Taunton Pride is a vibrant annual celebration where everyone is free to come together and be themselves. We spoke to Jenny Keogh, CEO of GoCreate Taunton, to discover how a £2,500 grant from The Somerset Fund helped fuel the event’s first-ever parade.

Read the full story here

20th Anniversary Somerset Stories: Escape Support Group

Escape Support Group first received funding from us in 2007, and we’ve supported the group with over £35,000 in grants since they first applied to us for money.

The charity provides support to families in Somerset raising children who have disabilities or additional needs, through a wide range of fun activities, days out and short break holidays which help to boost morale, increase confidence, improve social skills, and develope and strengthen friendships.

We spoke to Sarah Phippen, Manager at ESCAPE, who told us more about their work and how, for many of their members, the activities they organise are pivotal to their wellbeing.

Read the full story here

20th Anniversary Somerset Stories: BearCat Collective

The Honesty Jar in Henstridge started in 2019 by local non-profit group BearCat Collective, who have been running SwapShops on a pop-up basis as part of many other community activities at various village halls, fetes and shows around South Somerset for ten years. The swap-shop recycling station is a place where anyone can either donate or exchange items, make a donation for items, or take things for free.

Sam Flounders, Project Co-ordinator and Chair, told us how a £2,277 grant from The Somerset Fund in 2021 supported the project during the Covid lockdowns.

Read the full story here

Somerset Stories: The Food Forest Project

The Food Forest Project seeks to combat issues such as social isolation, food poverty, habitat depletion and accessibility of locally sourced healthy food, by planting food forests.

We spoke to Tristan Faith, founder of The Food Forest Project who told us how, with help from a £2,000 grant from The Somerset Fund, he’s been able to progress growing food for the local food bank.

Read the full story here

Somerset Stories: Westfield and Cannington URC

WestCan URC aim to improve health and wellbeing, reduce marginalisation and isolation, and hold regular community events, including toddler and baby groups, youth drop-ins, coffee mornings and lunch clubs, and a drop-in for rough sleepers and the homeless. 

We spoke to Jacky Bartholomew who told us about the work they do, and how they spent their £226,400 SCF grant from the HPC Community Fund.

Read the full story here

Somerset Stories: The Nelson Trust

The Nelson Trust supports over 1,200 women experiencing multiple vulnerabilities and complex needs annually from their Women’s Centres. Thanks to our generous donors, the group has received over £460,000 in grants from Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) since 2018.

To mark International Women’s Day we spoke to Gemma Denman, Women’s Centre Services Centre Manager at The Nelson Trust.

Read the full story here

Somerset Stories: Active and In Touch

Active and In Touch offers a befriending service and other vital support to isolated and lonely adults and older people in Frome and the surrounding villages.

We spoke to manager Dougie Brown, who told us more about how their £2,000 grant is helping them continue to save lives – by changing lives.

Read the full story here

Somerset Stories: PROMISEworks

Ali Hart, Case Holder at PROMISEworks talks about the local charity making a big difference in Somerset by offering mentoring services to disadvantaged children and young people across the county. Thanks to our generous donors, since 2014 the group has received over £275,000 in grants from SCF.

Read the full story here

Somerset Stories: The Old Stores Studio

The Old Stores Studio exists to support the community by improving wellbeing and nurturing good mental health through the provision of inclusive, high-quality art and craft sessions.

We spoke to Studio Director Nik Slade, who told us more about how their recent £4,000 grant – including support from The Mulberry Somerset Community Fund – has helped to bring together local people to build connections, reduce isolation and tell their often very personal stories through craft.

Read the full story here

Somerset Stories: Youth UnLimited

Youth UnLimited works with young people across Taunton, Sedgemoor and the surrounding areas using professional youth work methods.

Craig Lloyd, Director and Youth Worker at Youth UnLimited tells us more about the work they deliver, thanks to support from SCF grant funding – including a recent grant for £149,930 from the HPC Community Fund.

Read the full story here

Somerset Stories: Ups and Downs Southwest

Oliver Hellowell has Down Syndrome. Joanna Thorn, Director at Ups and Downs Southwest, tells us the inspiring story of Oliver and how he lived life to the fullest, publishing two books, featuring on a number of national television programmes and becoming an award winning photographer.

Read the full story here

Somerset Stories: Stoke sub Hamdon Community Shop

Stoke sub Hamdon Community Village Shop has become so much more than a convenience store to the villagers of the South Somerset village. Lyn Foley tells us how the community pulled together to prevent the loss of their village shop and how, shortly after they opened, it became an essential part of so many people’s lives.

Read the full story here

Coronavirus Appeal Stories: Young Somerset

Young Somerset delivers youth work that is led by the young person. They tell us how a grant from the Somerset Coronavirus Appeal helped them quickly adapt to working remotely by providing specialist online to help them continue to support young people.

Read the full story here

Somerset Stories: On Your Bike

Iain Garside is the manager at On Your Bike, a project offering training to the socially disadvantaged, ex-service personnel and long-term unemployed. He spoke to us recently about the fantastic work they deliver, and how giving someone a sense of achievement can turn lives around.

Read the full story here

Somerset Stories: Purple Elephant

Purple Elephant runs summer holiday activities for children in Frome, helping support families in need to access support and make memories. Sue Willis, Founder of the charity, tells us more about their work.

Read the full story here

Coronavirus Appeal Stories: Link Centre

The Link Centre is an active and popular community centre in the heart of the Halcon area of Taunton. We awarded them a £2,500 grant to provide food parcels and support to vulnerable families. They told us more about how the grant helped them change how they now support people in need, since the coronavirus outbreak.

Read the full story here

Coronavirus Appeal Stories: Taunton Scrubbers

Taunton Scrubbers are a group of volunteers who are working together to support community health workers in and around Taunton by putting their sewing skills to use. They tell us about their journey and how a £2,500 grant from the Somerset Coronavirus Appeal has helped them support local NHS staff and health care workers.

Read the full story here

Coronavirus Appeal Stories: Holly & Hawthorn Forest School

Holly & Hawthorn Forest School is a community group based on the outskirts of Shepton Mallet which aims to provide children with opportunities to build confidence, new skills, and independence through positive outdoor activities.

They told us how their £2,800 grant from the Somerset Coronavirus Appeal has helped them restart sessions after the coronavirus outbreak and provide free access for children from low-income households.

Read the full story here

Coronavirus Appeal Stories: Citizens Advice Mendip

Citizens Advice Mendip are a local charity providing support for people who need advice on a range of issues, including work, benefits, debt and housing.  They tell us how a grant from the Somerset Coronavirus Appeal helped them respond to a huge increase in demand. 

Read the full story here

Coronavirus Appeal Stories: Yeovil Community Church

Yeovil Community Church is a hub of support for all parts of the community including families, elderly people, homeless people, those suffering with poor mental health, young people, early years and much more. 

They told us how their £5,000 grant from the Somerset Coronavirus Appeal has helped them support isolated and vulnerable members of the community.

Read the full story here

Coronavirus Appeal Stories: EAQ Manor Farm

EAQ Manor Farm is an outdoor and equine-assisted learning centre that works with a wide range of people, including children, young people and adults who are overcoming isolation, exclusion and social and emotional difficulties.

They told us how a grant of £1,500 from the Somerset Coronsvirus Appeal helped them to provide virtual and in-person equine therapy and equine assisted learning to ease the impacts of the lockdown.

Read the full story here

Somerset Stories: The Friends of the Blue Association Trust

In association with the Blue School, Wells, the PTA (The Friends of the Blue Association Trust) raises funds that contribute to the school and its pupils’ enrichment.

They told us how a recent grant from the Somerset Fund for £1,500 will help them improve their conservation area, which will enhance the students’ experience at the school both now and for future generations to come.

Read the full story here

Coronavirus Appeal Stories: Home-Start West Somerset

Home-Start West Somerset offers support, friendship and practical help to families at home with children under seven in the Sedgemoor and West Somerset areas. Clare Pound, manager at the charity, told us how – with the help of a grant from the Somerset Coronavirus Appeal – they adapted their antenatal classes for women in West Somerset to an online provision, and how it soon expanded in something much bigger.

Read the full story here

Somerset Stories: Shepton Mallet Ukulele Group

SMUG has rapidly evolved from one ukulele enthusiast into a group that both plays to and exists for the community.

Chairman Ray Smith told us how a grant from The Somerset Fund has helped local people living with dementia and how the group has given members a sense of purpose.

Read the full story here

Somerset Stories: Taunton Open Door

Mark Woodcock, manager at Taunton Open Door, a homeless day shelter, told us Graham’s story: how he became homeless and the many years of support the charity provided to help him move into independent living.

Read the full story here

Coronavirus Appeal Stories: Feed Avalon

Feed Avalon runs a range of projects that help give fair access to nutritious and sustainable food, including cooking courses in their community kitchen and garden. They tell us how a Somerset Coronavirus Appeal grant has helped them to adapt their work, providing meals to people in need in the Mendip area of Somerset.

Read the full story here

Coronavirus Appeal Stories: Timberscombe Good Neighbours

Timberscombe Good Neighbours was formed by volunteers in February 2020 and provides a range of community support for people in need including transport for medical appointments, collection of prescriptions, and shopping.

They tell us more about how they are helping the predominantly older local community in this rural Exmoor village.

Read the full story here

Somerset Stories: Galhampton Village Hall

Galhampton is a village of 450 people which describes itself as having ‘a strong and vibrant community.’ At the heart of the community was a crumbling village hall, home to a wealth of activities and services that were of huge benefit to local residents. We were delighted to make a grant to support the community as they raised an astonishing £1 million to build their fantastic new village hall.

Read the full story here.

Somerset Stories: Huish Tigers

Huish Tigers RFC is a brand new community rugby club, established in late 2019, right in the heart of Taunton. Richard Manning tells us how a £2,500 grant from The Somerset Fund has supported the club to help them continue building their vision.

Read the full story here

Coronavirus Appeal Stories: Highbridge Area Foodbank

Highbridge Area Foodbank provides food parcels to people affected by food poverty. They tell us more about how, since the outbreak of coronavirus, the group has transformed its approach, and now offers safe home deliveries.

Read the full story here

Coronavirus HPC Fund Stories: Bridgwater Together

Bridgwater Together is an annual event celebrating the town’s vibrant cultural diversity through music, food, storytelling, dance, film and information sharing.  Michal Puzynski told us how they are finding new and innovative ways to ensure communities are still able to connect – even when they can’t be together.

Read the full story here

Coronavirus Appeal Stories: Minehead EYE

Minehead EYE is a youth and community organisation that has been working with and for young people in West Somerset since 2010.

They told us how an urgent grant for £3,000 from our Somerset Coronavirus Appeal helped them quickly adapt how they delivered their services as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

Read the full story here

Coronavirus Appeal Stories: On Your Bike

On Your Bike is a social enterprise that delivers training and work placements for disadvantaged young people, giving them the skills and confidence to move into employment through recycling and repairing unwanted bikes and selling them back to the local community.

They told us how a £2,750 grant from our Somerset Coronavirus Appeal is helping local NHS staff to get to work.

Read the full story here

Coronavirus Appeal Stories: Fair Frome

Fair Frome are a local charity who run a food bank, alongside providing hot meals, furniture and support to people in need in Frome. They tell us how a grant from the Somerset Coronavirus Appeal helped them respond to a huge increase in demand. 

Read the full story here

Somerset Stories: Cheddar Village Hall

Cheddar Village Hall is an important central hub, used by the whole community for a wide range of activities and clubs.

Heather Scourse tells us how a grant from The Somerset Fund is helping to sustain this important community space.

Read the full story here

Coronavirus Appeal Stories: Taunton & District Mencap Society

Taunton & District Mencap Society supports people with a learning disability, and their families and carers in Taunton and the surrounding area. 

They told us how a grant for £2,000 from our Somerset Coronavirus Appeal is helping the team at Taunton make sure their self-isolating service users have been able to stay in contact with each other since the lockdown began.

Read the full story here

Coronavirus Appeal Stories: Second Step

Second Step supports those who are experiencing poor mental health, or are homeless or at risk of homelessness, to build brighter futures. 

They told us how an emergency grant from the Somerset Coronavirus Appeal for £4,100 helped them to provide immediate, practical assistance to some of the most vulnerable individuals who were rough sleeping, in hostels or in temporary or supported accommodation, during the early stages of the coronavirus outbreak.

Read the full story here

Somerset Stories: CLOWNS

C.L.O.W.N.S (Creating Learning Opportunities In WesterN Somerset) provide support by delivering opportunities and activities, and encouraging families to learn, thrive, have fun and be happy. Manager Sue Shaw told us how a recent grant for £2,500 from The Somerset Fund is helping them create and deliver bespoke Family Caring Packages to vulnerable families.

Somerset Stories: Langport Dementia Action Alliance

Langport Dementia Action Alliance supports people living with dementia and their carers in the Langport area.

Julia Gadd tells us how funding from The Somerset Fund can help to make such difference to so many.

Read the full story here

Coronavirus Appeal Stories: St Margaret’s Hospice

St. Margaret’s Hospice provide a range of services and support for people with life-limiting illnesses and their families. 

They told us how a grant for £2,000 from our Somerset Coronavirus Appeal is helping them to provide 24-7 support to those with life-limiting illnesses.

Read the full story here

Coronavirus Appeal Stories: Reminiscence Learning

Reminiscence Learning provides training for health care professionals, family carers, volunteers, businesses and community members, specialising in dementia care, reminiscence and activities.

They told us how a grant from the Somerset Coronavirus Appeal for £7,000 helped them to continue providing remote support sessions for people with dementia during the outbreak.

Read the full story here


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