What is the Charity about?

Barrowden United Charities was founded in 1908 from the union of previous charities set up in the 19^th century by two daughters of a Barrowden clergyman and Peter Brown, to help the poor of the parish. Benefits to the poor over the past 100 years have included blankets, coal, shoes and convalescent home fees.

The Barrowden Charities are registered with the Charities Commission: No 218215

The purpose of the Charities is to help those in need.

The Barrowden United Charities is administered by its Trustees, who are:

a) Ex Officio

b) Four others elected for three years at a time by Barrowden Parish Council.

· Mr John Haddon, elected in November 2004

· Dr Hugh Rees, Re-elected in November 2004

· Mr Malcolm Wells, Re-elected in November 2004

· Mrs Alison Last, elected in May 2006

All are resident in Barrowden as is the permanent Clerk to the Charity:

Mrs Grace Wilkinson  

How is the Charity Funded?

The principal income of the charity is a half share (around £26,000 pa) of the rent of a shop in Hammersmith, which is let in two parts. Because this income is not fully predictable, the Charity holds reserve funds of about 1 year’s income a level the Trustees feel is prudent

What is it currently doing?

Benefits of the charity recently granted include

· Credits with the mobile butchers’ van (Nelsons) for villagers who are in need

· An automatic grant of £100 to the families of villagers who die

· Gift Vouchers to former villagers who are resident in residential or nursing homes or in hospital

· Food parcels to widows and widowers in the village at Christmas who are not regular beneficiaries of the Charity

· Help with cost of transport to hospital

· Purchase of medical and similar equipment for individuals

· Fees to the Village Hall for the Evergreen and Thursday Lunch clubs (but not other expenses of these functions)

Last updated: 20th March 2007

What do I need to do to become a Beneficiary?

The Trustees are always willing to consider each request on its merits with respect to need. They are also willing to consider other requests for help from those in need and to discuss a request informally. Much need can be temporary (e.g. when someone is in hospital) and the Charities can respond quickly to requests for help e.g. with transport to hospitals.

If you want help or know someone else who has a need please get in touch with any of the trustees or the clerk either by telephone or letter.  Preference is given to the elderly and those who have lived in the village for at least three years.

If you wish to apply for benefit from the Barrowden United Charities, please contact the Clerk to the Charities:

Charities@villagelinks.co.uk

stating:

· Name, address and contact details

· How long you have lived in Barrowden

· Your age

· Some comments on your financial status, i.e. are you on Income support or paying higher rate income tax?

· Why you are applying to the Charity and what help do you require?

All information will be treated in the strictest confidence

You may also speak with any of the Trustees on a confidential basis to discuss your situation and eligibility for assistance.