28 Charities Receive Funding in Latest Grant Scheme

The Fine & Country Foundation has chosen 28 charities, with 27 of them based in the UK and one in South Africa, to receive a total of £45,488 in grants in its Spring Grant scheme.

The Grant Scheme is designed to financially support non-profit organisations and charities that specifically focus on combating homelessness and poverty. The Foundation aims to provide some financial aid to these organisations, as they rely heavily on donations and have been significantly impacted by the increasing cost of living. The grants are awarded twice a year in the Spring and Autumn, with Fine & Country offices around the world encouraged to submit applications nominating a charity of their choice to receive a donation of up to £3,000. These proposals are then reviewed by The Foundation board and successful projects are awarded with grants.

Graham Howell speaks to Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire

Jon Cooke, Trustee of the Fine & Country Foundation said: “Many organisations have been impacted by the cost-of-living crisis and require financial assistance to continue doing the remarkable work they do within their local communities. We hope that the grants that have been awarded will make a positive impact and will help support these organisations on their vital missions to make a difference in people’s lives. The fundraising efforts of the network and donations we have received have made it possible for The Foundation to be able to support so many amazing charities and non-profit organisations through the grant schemes over the years.”

Cooke adds that The Foundation has given the Fine & Country network a platform to be able to give back, and it has touched so many lives in the process. In addition to the spring grants, so far this year The Foundation has donated £10,000 to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Turkey-Syria earthquake appeal, with a further £2,600 donated by offices within the network directly to charities in their region.

Through the support of the network, the Fine & Country Foundation has been able to give away hundreds of thousands of pounds to help those in need. The Fine & Country Foundation was established in 2014 with the Grant Scheme being brought to fruition in 2018. Since its inception, The Foundation has raised over £800,000 through various fundraising drives and events organised and supported by the network and public. This money has gone towards many worthy causes both in the UK and internationally. The Foundation hopes to continue building on this success, with the goal of raising £1,000,000 over the coming years for homeless charities.

Donate to The Foundation here. Read more about the 28 charities benefiting from grants of up to £3,000 this year;

Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire

Nominated by Fine & Country Coventry

A charity which homes 17 formerly-homeless people within the community, their grant will fund improvements to one of their three kitchens, giving independence as well as facilities to their clients.

Rays Of Hope Alexandra

Nominated by Fine & Country The Parks

Rays of Hope is a non-profit organisation in northern Johannesburg. The charity manages a large number of social outreach programmes and aims to enable individuals and families to improve all aspects of their lives. Fine & Country South Africa office 'The Parks' nominated the charity to receive a donation which will go towards supporting 10 community-based programmes, focusing on education, vulnerable children, and work readiness in the area.

Emmaus Brighton & Hove

Nominated by Fine & Country Brighton and Hove

Emmaus Brighton & Hove is the largest Emmaus Community in the UK. The team there supports people to work their way out of homelessness and provides purpose as well as a stable home for as long as someone needs it. In the past 24 years Emmaus Brighton & Hove has provided a unique solution to combatting homelessness to over 1,500 Companions (residents) many of whom have complex needs.

Beacon House Ministries

Nominated by Fine & Country Colchester

This charity provides primary healthcare services to people who are homeless, in insecure accommodation or at risk of homelessness in Colchester, Essex. Our donation from the Foundation will help towards continuing to provide services on site such as showering facilities, laundry, clothing and toiletries.

The Benjamin Foundation

Nominated by Fine & Country Norfolk

For 25 years’ children, young people and families across Norfolk and Suffolk have been supported by The Benjamin Foundation to overcome big challenges in their lives. Overall 2,000 local children and young people every year finally feel hopeful of a better future because of the work of the Benjamin Foundation. Each night The Benjamin Foundation accommodates 180 vulnerable young people, equating to over 50,000 safe night’s sleep a year for local young people. This means that with our donations alongside lots of others they can finally feel safe from youth homelessness. Since being involved with the charity our five Norfolk Fine & Country offices have donated thousands of pounds towards the charity.

The Four Streets Project

Nominated by Fine & Country Chichester

The Four Streets Project has been helping and supporting the homeless of Chichester every single night for the last three years. They exist to provide any available support to any person who is sleeping on the streets of Chichester or those known to be vulnerably housed. Their collective purpose is to provide support such as food, drink, sleeping bags, clothing and referral to agencies to people sleeping out on the streets of Chichester, a cause that will be vitally supported by our donation, provided to the organisation.

Nuneaton Foodbank

Nominated by Fine & Country Coventry

Nuneaton Foodbank don’t think anyone in their community should have to face going hungry. That’s why they provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to them in crisis. They are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

SleepPod

Nominated by Fine & Country Uckfield

SleepPod is a simple, effective, emergency shelter that the team are working towards being made available to outreach teams and charities for them to give out to rough sleepers and refugees that haven’t managed to access existing services. Every £30 raised equals 1 Pod built, so we hope to see this donation go towards up to 100 new shelters being built and distributed.

The Amber Foundation

Nominated by Fine & Country Dorking and Cranleigh

The Amber Foundation in Devon, Wiltshire and Surrey support vulnerable and disadvantaged young people in transforming their own lives by helping them move out of homelessness and unemployment into bright secure futures. Our grant will be able to assist them in offering their ongoing support through teaching practical life skills, providing creative projects involving art, crafts, music, film and drama and assisting people out of employment in getting back into work.

Kingston Church Action On Homelessness

Nominated by Fine & Country Putney

At KCAH they support single people facing housing crisis in the Kingston Borough and help to rebuild their lives through a wide range of services. Offering much more than just advice, shelter and food - KCAH provides lasting solutions that restore the self-esteem and confidence of vulnerable people, helping them out of the vicious circle of homelessness.

Cambridge Women’s Aid

Nominated by Fine & Country Head Office

Cambridge Women’s Aid provide safe accommodation and practical support for women and children who are escaping domestic abuse. Their grant will fund robust, easy to clean flooring, decoration and new furniture for their clients’ accommodation.

The First Base Agency

Nominated by Fine & Country South Scotland

The First Base Agency is a small independent charity based in Dumfries in the south west Scotland. Their emergency Food Project is their main area of work and they now give out 4000 food parcels a year - a project that The Foundation grant should go some way to support.

Vineyard Community

Nominated by Fine & Country Richmond

Since Covid, Vineyard Community have re-opened their morning drop-in service which supports around 50 homeless people every day. Their grant will contribute towards the ongoing costs of running this service which is a vital provision for the local community.

Amicus Trust

Nominated by Fine & Country St Neots

Amicus Trust has been supporting the homeless community since its origins as a soup kitchen in 1974, it has grown to now provide 400 rooms in approximately 80 houses across the East of England. Its aim is to ensure everyone has a chance to achieve a life free from homelessness and a place in their community.

The Meeting Room

Nominated by Fine & Country Dorking and Cranleigh

The Meeting Room is a registered charity operating in the Mole Valley and Epsom areas. The charity was founded in 2014 by Graham Peddie MBE, who was a leading advocate for assisting the most vulnerable people in the community.

Real Deal Plus Ltd

Nominated by Fine & Country Northumberland

Based in the former Old Police Station in Ashington, Northumberland, Real Deal Plus Ltd deals with the problems, issues and barriers relating to individuals/ families at their point of need as early action and intervention helps to stabilise/resolve difficulties and prevent escalation.

CANAAN TRUST

Nominated by Fine & Country Head Office

Since 1995, the Canaan Trust homeless charity has supported the homeless and those threatened with becoming homeless across their local communities.

New Beginnings Reading

Nominated by Fine & Country Reading

New Beginnings Reading’s aims are the prevention and relief of poverty and financial hardship of persons in Reading and the Greater Berkshire area who are in need due to social or economic reasons, regardless of their religion or belief.

Julian House

Nominated by Fine & Country Bath

Julian House is a charity that supports vulnerable and at-risk individuals. These include adults and young people experiencing homelessness, escaping domestic abuse, adults with learning difficulties and people who need support after leaving prison.

The 3 Pillars Feeding the Homeless

Nominated by Fine & Country St Neots

The 3 Pillars Feeding the Homeless is a Freemans based charity that works with members of the public and local business to feed and support the homeless and most vulnerable in St Neots, Huntingdon, and Peterborough.

The Basement Project

Nominated by Fine & Country Droitwich Spa

The Basement Recovery Project is an award-winning, independent, community-based organisation which operates throughout Calderdale. It offers those in addiction to alcohol or drugs a new way of life, free from the need or desire to use any mood-altering substance.

High Peak Homeless Help

Nominated by Fine & Country High Peak,Poynton,Disley and Marple

High Peak Homeless Help (Formerly High Peak Nightstop) exists to provides assistance for homeless people - and those who are experiencing housing-related issues - and to address the root causes of homelessness in their area.

HCT (Helping Caring Team)

Nominated by Fine & Country Newport

Set up in February 2019, HCT is a grassroots organisation which aims of improve the lives of vulnerable and homeless people of Newport and South East Wales, by providing an outreach support service at the point of need in a sustainable way.

The Winchester Beacon

Nominated by Fine & Country Southampton

The Winchester Beacon is the new working name of the long-established charity, Winchester Churches Nightshelter (WCNS). WCNS was founded in 1988 to provide emergency shelter to people experiencing homelessness during winter months. Thousands of people have managed to escape homelessness with the support of WCNS.

Thank you for your continued support, remember you can donate to The Foundation here.

9th May 2023

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