The Alton & District Community Resilience Fund (ADCRF) will celebrate its sixth year in June 2020, providing support and assistance to local residents and groups who find themselves in exceptional circumstances and in need of help.
Previously known as the Alton & District Community Resilience Fund, ADCRF was established during the pandemic to support people in the Alton area experiencing financial hardship.
The ADC Resilience Fund operated under the umbrella of Alton Town Council from June 2020 through December 2022, awarding over £41,000 in one-off grants of up to £500, including £12,500 in Sainsbury’s vouchers to Ukrainians arriving in the area.
As the renamed ‘Relief Foundation’, ADCRF continued its work into 2023 and on 29 August of that year was granted Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) status through the Charity Commission.
The five trustees receive applications on a referral basis, and from then, until just recently, have been able to award grants of up to £600, with funds going directly to the providers of the much-needed goods or service: to the mechanic who repaired the car, the shop selling the refrigerator, Sainsbury’s vouchers, etc… No cash is involved.
During 2024/25 ADCRF awarded £22,423 in 57 one-off grants.
ADCRF works closely with partners such as Alton Lions Club (CIO), Alton Rotary Club and local churches, and also signposts applicants to area services and resources, including Citizens Advice Bureau, Alton Food Bank, Alton Community Cupboard, Resurrection Furniture, the GP Social Prescribers, youth and family support charities and agencies…. the list is extensive.
As set out in the ADCRF charitable objectives: “where possible, we collaborate with other local charities, service organisation and funding sources, to avoid duplication and to promote joined-up response to maximum impact and good practice to support those in need.”
In the past funding has come from partner organisations and from local government grants.
However, since October last year, government funding has plummeted, and ADCRF has been forced to reduce the size of its grants to up to £300 per case.
In order to carry on its vital work, like many community organisations, ADCRF is being forced to look at alternative sources of funding.
If you would like to support the work of ADCRF within our local community, with a one-off or regular donation, please visit the website at: www.altoncommrelief.org.uk or email:
Thank you for your contributions and support.
Trustees: Lisa Hillan (chair); Andrew Lawrence, Paul Susans, Moira Baker, David Millard, Katie Ward.
Alton & District = ALTON AND SURROUNDING ALTON RURAL CATCHMENT INCLUDING THE VILLAGES OF BENTLEY, BEECH, BENTWORTH, BINSTED, BLACKNEST, EAST WORLDHAM, HOLYBOURNE, KINGSLEY, CHAWTON, SELBORNE, FARRINGDON, NEWTON VALENCE, BLACKMOOR, OAKHANGER, FROYLE, FOUR MARKS, MEDSTEAD, ROPLEY, LASHAM AND SHALDEN