Registered charity number: 1160989
The Fine & Country Foundation supports 37 charities in its Autumn Grant Scheme
The Fine & Country Foundation has announced the recipients of its Autumn 2024 grants, totalling £52,400, which brings the grand total to over £1,006,000 donated to charities around the world since its inception in 2014. Grants have been awarded to 37 beneficiaries, which were nominated their local Fine & Country office. The funding will help support these organisations to continue the vital work they do in supporting vulnerable individuals in the community.
The biannual grant scheme, held in Spring and Autumn each year, provides a lifeline to charities tackling the issues of homelessness and poverty. Through a nomination from the Fine & Country network, organisations and charities within their region stand the chance of receiving a grant of up to £3,000. With the recent grants, The Foundation continues its commitment to empowering organisations across the UK and internationally to make a tangible difference in the lives of those most in need.
Charities have been under increasing pressure due to the rising cost of living and greater demand for their services in recent years. The Fine & Country Foundation aims to alleviate some of these pressures by providing financial assistance, allowing organisations to focus on delivering their life-changing work. Having reached the milestone of over £1 million raised in total earlier this year, The Fine & Country Foundation marks a decade of making a difference by deepening its support for charitable initiatives. This milestone highlights the collective effort of Fine & Country offices and supporters who contribute through regular giving and fundraising events.
Jon Cooke, Trustee of The Fine & Country Foundation, comments: “The Fine & Country Foundation’s dedication to tackling homelessness and poverty is more important than ever. For the charities that have received funding, this grant is more than financial support - it is a vote of confidence in the vital work they do. We are proud to play a role in helping them continue their efforts.”
Please see the below list of the successful beneficiaries in this round of grants:
Nominated by Fine & Country Olney
Advantage Africa supports people affected by poverty, disability and HIV to improve their education, health and incomes. Their work helps some of East Africa’s most vulnerable people to overcome stigma, help themselves and build a better future for their families and communities. They are helping disabled children attend school for the first time, people living with HIV access life-saving medicines, single-parent families earn an income to meet their basic needs. These practical projects provide some of Africa’s most vulnerable families with life-changing opportunities and real hope for the future.
All People All Places Night Shelter
Nominated by Fine & Country Barnet, Totteridge & Hadley Wood
All People All Places (APAP) is a small, locally focused homelessness charity working in the London Boroughs of Enfield and Haringey. Established in 2010 as a winter night shelter responding directly to rough sleeping locally, since then their services have grown and developed, and are now an integral part of of the local homelessness response and prevention provision. They currently run two main services, the Enfield Day Centre and a small night shelter provision focused on supporting rough sleepers in Enfield.
Nominated by Fine & Country Beccles and Waveney
It’s not right that anyone should experience hygiene poverty. This charity takes action by raising awareness to drive meaningful change. They believe everyone deserves to be able to care for themselves and their families and know access to hygiene products is key to anyone's health and wellbeing. The Hygiene Bank believes in building stronger, resilient communities by working together to shape a more just society.
Nominated by Fine & Country Northern Lincolnshire - Brigg
The Forge Project Day Centre opens five mornings per week offering breakfast, hot drinks, lunch, showering/laundry facilities, clean clothing, sleeping bags. Support Workers refer/signpost/advocate for clients to housing/other agencies, attend multi-agency meetings, working with them to acquire permanent housing. Staff work collaboratively with users to reflect on the challenges in their lives, using a strengths-based approach, meeting their needs and determining their desired outcomes.
Nominated by Fine & Country Brighton and Hove
For over 20 years, Off The Fence’s vision has been to see an end to social and spiritual poverty in Brighton and Hove. In 1993, CEO Paul Young responded to the question, “When are Christians going to get off the fence and do something about social poverty?” Paul and his wife, Wendy, decided to go out into the streets of Brighton and Hove to help the most vulnerable in the city. Paul started with one friend, speaking with rough sleepers, guiding them to areas and services in the City where they could receive help. This team of two soon turned into a team of four. Eventually, 35 volunteers from across a range of local churches and different denominations joined them - all working to save lives falling through the cracks of society.
Nominated by Fine & Country Brighton and Hove
The Clock Tower Sanctuary is the only drop-in day centre for homeless 16-to-25 year olds in Brighton. It is a place where young people who have nowhere to call home can feel safe and ‘just be’. We listen and respond to what they need and treat everyone as an individual. We know that no young person chooses to be homeless.
Nominated by Fine & Country Bristol
At Help Bristol’s Homeless, they believe that everyone deserves a safe and warm place to call home. They understand that homelessness is a complex issue, and are committed to finding practical solutions to help those who are sleeping rough on the streets of Bristol.
Nominated by Fine & Country Chepstow
HCT aim to 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. HCT is a grassroots organisation set up in February 2019 which became a charity in April 2020, organised and run by four trustees and a small core of volunteers, there are no paid employees. HCT also has a network of people and organisations who either donate clothes, supplies, services (hair cutting) or food.
Nominated by Fine & Country Chepstow
Gloucestershire Nightstop is a charity offering emergency accommodation, for 16-25 year olds, in people’s homes; the hosts are local people in Gloucestershire who invite you to stay a night with them.
Nominated by Fine & Country Chichester
The Four Streets Project is a group of around 35 volunteers, made up of local residents of Chichester who work together to provide nightly support to the homeless, hungry and vulnerable of Chichester. They understand that life is tough and there are many reasons why someone becomes homeless or hungry.
Nominated by Fine & Country Chichester
This charity's aim is to support families and vulnerable people within our community by partnering with local food banks, collecting financial donations, non-perishable items and toiletries. Their campaign was launched at the start of the pandemic crisis with the aim to support families and individuals who have been affected in some way by the current situation.
Nominated by Fine & Country Costa Blanca North
Project 4 All is an all-inclusive organisation whose mantra is “Cook for the Homeless”. Their aim is to find likeminded members of the community and work together to help people in need. Although their work is primarily for those on the streets, they also help people and families who (although they may have a roof over their heads now) are struggling and without some help, may well find themselves in a terrible position before long.
Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire
Nominated by Fine & Country Coventry
Emmaus provides a home, support and work opportunities for as long as someone needs it.
Nominated by Fine & Country Coventry
This charity doesn'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.
Nominated by Fine & Country Droitwich Spa
At St Paul’s they use trauma as a lens through which we look to understand why a person arrives at our door. In their experience, trauma, often from early life relationships and often recurring is prevalent in many of the people who come to them for help. They recognise the damage trauma can do to the character of a person and the negative effect it has on the choices they have.
Nominated by Fine & Country Droitwich Spa
The Pass It On team works hard to provide tangible benefits to homeless and vulnerable people primarily in the coldest months of the year. In many cases they work as an outreach team to get the vital supplies we have to those in most in need. They partner with charities and small organisations working in several cities to enhance their offering of essential supplies too.
Nominated by Fine & Country Fulham
Based in London, Glass Door operates open-access services for people affected by homelessness. Open access means that anyone experiencing or at risk of homelessness can turn to Glass Door regardless of who they are or where they are from. They offer a variety of services, not all services are right for everyone, but no one will be turned away without an offer of support. Year-round, people find advice and support to end their homelessness through trained caseworkers based at partnering drop-in centres.
Cambridge Women’s Resource Centre
Nominated by Fine & Country Head Office
These Women’s Centres offer creative activities and general support. Providing educational courses, group activities and individual support services, they help women to take steps for a better future. They also run the Freedom Programme for women who have been affected by domestic abuse.
Supporting People in Need (SPIN)
Nominated by Fine & Country Head Office
Since 2015, this charity has been helping homeless men in and around Manchester. They support Low, Medium and High needs residents for anything ranging from 2 months - 8 months. Their services are wide and include: Emergency Accommodation, Rehabilitation, Mental Health Services, Drug and Alcohol Services, Healthcare Services, Banking Support and Money Management, Probation, Immigration, Identification, Housing, Employment and Training, Emergency Food Parcels and much more.
Nominated by Fine & Country Islington
This charity assists British citizens during their incarceration, and also helps family and friends affected by a relative or loved one's imprisonment. They provide information and forms for consular staff around the world helping detained British citizens get some extra support from Prisoners Abroad and their resettlement service supports British people who return back to the UK after being in prison overseas.
Nominated by Fine & Country Jersey
The Shelter Trust was established over 30 years ago and is now the leading provider of accommodation and support services for the homeless community in Jersey. The Trust provides accommodation, food, support / encouragement for around 125 people per night at eight sites in and around the wider town area. Last year, the Trust supported over 500 individuals.
Lancaster & District Homeless Service
Nominated by Fine & Country Lakes and North Lancs
The Centre is the heart of this organisation, they offer a basic needs service for people sleeping on the streets, providing a service for those who are homeless or experiencing housing poverty in the Lancaster and District area.
Helping Hands Community Project
Nominated by Fine & Country Leamington Spa
This charity extends compassionate and practical support to those struggling with the causes and effects of homelessness and trauma. They offer a listening ear and qualified counselling from experienced advisors, but believe very much in providing a ‘hand-up’ not just a ‘hand out.’ Their mission is to empower everyone who comes to us to realise their full potential and create a brighter future.
Nominated by Fine & Country Marlborough and Devizes
Homelessness can affect anyone – relationship breakdown, loss of employment, and ill health are all common reasons, but there are many others. Being a homeless person does not always mean sleeping rough. At Alabaré, they support hundreds of people who are homeless every year. They help each person with their finances, health and self-esteem and provide a stepping-stone approach back to independent living.
Nominated by Fine & Country Marlborough and Devizes
A community initiative to make sure all Marlborough children have access to free meals during the current crisis and beyond. No fuss, no forms, no referrals. Just meals for families who need them.
Nominated by Fine & Country Mid and South Essex
Cake Club is a registered charity (no. 1200320) offering parenting support and solidarity in the Southend area. We run in-person support and playgroups in a number of locations, with something on offer almost every day of the week. Cake Club was born out of a desire to provide support for parents in a non-judgmental and caring environment. To help parents to feed, carry, nurture and respond to their babies… It began in 2018 with two mums, four toddlers, a box of toys, a breastfeeding supporter badge, an IKEA bag full of slings and a LOT of cake.
Nominated by Fine & Country Mid Wales
Rekindle is a young person’s mental health charity, supporting those aged 16-25 years old. We are based in Newtown and support people living across Mid Wales and the Shropshire borders, offering remote sessions when transportation is a barrier. Rekindle was founded in 1997 by a group of people who had all experienced mental health problems within their own families.
Nominated by Fine & Country North Wales
The Wallich operates under three core objectives: getting people off the streets; keeping people off the streets; and creating opportunities for people. They believe that everyone deserves the right to a home, but more than that, that everyone deserves the right to feel safe, to feel valued and to feel positive about their future.
Nominated by Fine & Country Northampton
Established in 1974 this charity has decades of experience helping people through periods of hardship. There are many reasons behind homelessness and hardship, once crisis needs are met, their goal is to understand root causes, aiming to empower individuals to rebuild and lead fulfilling lives.
Nominated by Fine & Country Northampton
The Daylight Centre Fellowship was established in 1994, registered in 2003 and ever since they have supported disadvantaged and vulnerable adults particularly rough sleepers, vulnerably housed, those in poverty and those who are socially isolated. As such, they are at the very forefront of social action within Wellingborough and the surrounding areas
Nominated by Fine & Country Reading and Twyford
Alana House is PACT’s flagship community project that uses a holistic approach to support and empower women. They offer a confidential, women-only, non-judgemental space and welcome all self-identifying women who feel they need help and support.
Nominated by Fine & Country Ribble Valley
From our humble beginnings in 1990, the Nightsafe Charity continues to provide the young people of Blackburn and Darwen, the help that they need, when they need it. Nightsafe believes that every young person has a right to a roof over their head, to live in a safe environment and be treated with kindness, dignity and respect.
Nominated by Fine & Country South Scotland and Cumbria
Kate’s Kitchen operates like a cafe, where everyone is welcomed by our team of friendly volunteers, for a cuppa, a hot meal and a friendly chat. Their objectives are to provide good wholesome cooked meals, especially to the homeless and vulnerable of the local community and to offer a welcoming environment and the opportunity for regular supportive non-judgemental human interaction. They also help people get back on their feet and regain their sense of self-worth.
Nominated by Fine & Country Southampton
YMCA believes in fairness and opportunity. There are essential building blocks for a full and rewarding life: a safe home; acceptance; guidance; friendship; physical and mental health; academic support; employment skills; and access to real opportunities. Many young people have never known these things; other people have lost one or more as they grew up, but we all need them. At YMCA, they provide these critical foundations for a fresh, strong start for young people and a better quality of life in the community.
Oxfordshire Community Land Trust
Nominated by Fine & Country Oxford
Oxfordshire Community Land Trust make land work for people and planet, not profit, by acquiring and managing land for community benefit and the relief of poverty in Oxfordshire. Their current focus is on increasing the availability of high-quality, sustainable, and permanently affordable housing.
Nominated by Fine & Country Surrey Hills
At Amber they support young adults (aged 18-30) facing complex problems and offer homeless support to transform their lives by helping them move away from homelessness, out of unemployment and work towards better, brighter and healthier futures. At their centres in Devon, Wiltshire, Surrey and Kent they provide much more than a safe place to stay. Alongside a temporary home, every young person who comes to Amber receives personalised support and has the opportunity to develop new skills, experiences and has the time to focus on themselves.
Nominated by Fine & Country West Malling
People are dying on the streets with tragic regularity. For rough sleepers in the UK and refugees in Europe, many of these deaths are a result of hypothermia and exposure to extreme weather conditions. A Sleep Pod is a one-person shelter that can offer meaningful protection from the elements.
As the year continues, The Foundation remains committed to raising funds and expanding its impact. To support The Fine & Country Foundation please consider donating here.
10th Dec 2024