SCF Annual Review 2021-22

10 Annual Review 2021/22 The pandemic brought to light
Reducing loneliness
and disadvantage
Grants from the
Festive Fund bring
communities together
over the festive
period to help reduce
loneliness and spread
warmth and cheer
through food and
activities.
£131,108
Value of main
grants awarded
some of the many inequalities
that have long existed in our
communities. The result was stark:
people under the age of 65 in the
poorest parts of the country were
nearly four times more likely to die
from Covid-19 than those in the
wealthiest areas. Sadly, we know
the financial insecurities that grew
during the pandemic loomed ever
larger as the cost-of-living crisis
took hold. Simply put, those who
might have been struggling in the
past are now facing poverty.
The charity sector cannot fix these
problems, but we can help those
with the most pressing needs. One
way we are helping to reduce the
impacts of poverty is through our
long running Surviving Winter
campaign, which is profiled on the
next page.
Alongside Surviving Winter, our
Festive Fund offered small grants
of a few hundred pounds so that
communities could come together
in the darkest months, helping to
combat loneliness and isolation for
people of all ages. Many groups
used their money to arrange a
community Christmas meal, provide
food or gift deliveries to those
sheltering, or organise a festive
group activity.
Over 40 communities from across
Somerset received a Festive
Fund grant in the year, including
Cannington, Chard, Highbridge,
Frome, Langport, Street, Watchet,
Wellington, Wookey and more.
This initiative is a great example of
where a little bit of money can go
a long way to reducing loneliness
and boosting wellbeing.