Our Endowment Fund at the Wiltshire Community Foundation

Our Named Endowment Fund at the Wiltshire Community Foundation (WCF) works like a charitable trust but without the need for us to appoint trustees or handle the investments and administration  

WCF Named Funds are subject to a minimum investment of £5,000 and a commitment to support the WCF's general grant making. Funds reaching £20,000 or more, such as ours, can be used to support issues and areas of the investor's choosing. We have stated that ours is restricted for use in the Swindon area only.

We have put £22,853 in to our Fund since 2001 and the balance of our Fund as at 31 March 2024 is £28,870.71.

Grants totalling more than £12,187 have been made from it since 2008.

Our Fund Statement for the year ending 31st March 2024.

In a letter to our Rotary Club Vicky Hickey and Fiona Oliver, the Joint Chief Executives of the Wiltshire Community Foundation, write:-

August 2023

"As one of our 160 endowment fund holders, you have enabled us to award grants of £2million and provide training, information and advice for small grassroots groups providing vital services to help people and communities in need. Together we have changed lives.

As we know from our experience of developing and growing our endowment, investments can go up, but they can also go down and 2022/23 was a difficult year. However, overall performance exceeded that of both the MSCI WMA Balanced and ARC Charity Index for the year to 31 March 2023. We are invested for the long-term and know that whilst periods of capital loss are disappointing, they are part of a cycle. 

Our organisation continues to go from strength to strength and we are delighted to be on that journey with you. We remain committed to delivering on our strategic plan, to further develop our endowment as a long-term community asset and deliver £10million of funding, advice and support to help disadvantaged people in Wiltshire and Swindon. With many thanks for all your support and all that you do to help Wiltshire and Swindon thrive."

Grants made by our fund – 01 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 :

The Kelly Foundation £300.00
The Kelly Foundation works in the communities of Penhill, Gorse Hill and Pinehurst in Swindon, an area of deprivation where there is inequality in accessing mental health care, to support people with poor mental health. They offer support by listening and providing practical help and advocacy. Individuals are able to access a dedicated support worker, life coach, counsellor and volunteer help. The funding is being used towards the cost of providing their mental health support services.

Swindon SEND Families Voice £300.00
Swindon SEND Families Voice provides support to families with SEND children and young people. It is a parent carer forum, listening to parents and working with external organisations to improve services. The grant is being used to fund their telephone support line, SEND sharing service where parents can loan SEND support items, SEND information packs for parents of children transitioning from nursery to school, and to provide leaflets in multiple languages as English is not the primary language of many families accessing their services.

Pinetrees Dementia Cafe £250.00
Pinetrees Dementia Cafe provides a bi-weekly social group for adults with dementia in Swindon and their carers. These sessions provide organised activities designed to stimulate and engage people with dementia, and allows their carers to connect with other carers and receive support. The grant is supporting the general running costs of the group.

The Chronic Pain Awareness Group £250.00
The Chronic Pain Awareness Group provides a weekly support and social group for people with hidden illnesses and a social media page to support those unable to attend in person. Representatives from agencies and services such as Swindon Carers and GWH Pain Clinic attend some sessions to provide information and aid with signposting. Funding is helping with the costs associated with running the group.

Swindon Big Knit £180.00
Swindon Big Knit is a knitting and crocheting group for people in Swindon. The group is beneficial for attendees, providing a safe space to share creative skills and reducing social isolation. It also provides wider community benefit as items created such as scarves, hats and blankets are donated to care homes and homeless projects. Funding is to purchase the materials required such as yarn.

The Recovery Tree Charity £100.00
The Recovery Tree run two projects to support individuals with mental health needs in Swindon. TWIGS is set in three acres of gardens, offering a range of therapeutic gardening and craft activities. The Olive Tree Café is based on the same site, providing volunteering and work opportunities for individuals with mental health needs, learning difficulties or low confidence resulting from negative life experiences. The grant is helping The Recovery Tree to fund their core costs and to continue to deliver these vital projects.

STEP Swindon £90.00
STEP Swindon provide bespoke therapeutic group work interventions for children and young people aged 7-18 years across Swindon who are experiencing isolation and exclusion. Funding is being used towards the costs of a new therapeutic group for neuro-diverse young people

Wiltshire Community Fund Website

Our Fund Statement for the year ending 31st March 2023

Our Fund Statement for the year ending 31st March 2022

Our Fund Statement for the year ending 31st March 2021

£2,500 presented to the Wiltshire Community Foundation to add to the Club's named fund..... 

Our Fund Statement for the year ending 31st March 2020

Our Fund Statement for the year ending 31st March 2019

Our Fund Statement for the year ending 31st March 2018

Our Fund Statement for the year ending 31st March 2017