SCF Annual Review 2022-23

The need for
our work
The cost-of-living crisis pushed the
poorest in our county to their limits
– and beyond.
As a rural county, our communities are
often even harder hit by big economic
events like these. For individual
households, energy bill increases
are often larger because of more
expensive modes of heating, such as
oil-fuelled boilers. Rising fuel prices hit
harder because of the need to drive
further and more frequently to reach
basic services and the lack of public
transport. And those already living
in ‘food deserts’, reliant upon more
expensive food from local convenience
stores, are finding it harder than ever
to make ends meet.
Small, local charities and community
groups in Somerset have had a
gruelling year themselves, faced with
fewer donations, increased costs and
soaring need. And simply by virtue of
being small, many lack the time and
expertise to raise the funds they need.
Annual Review 2022/23 05
And that’s why our work – and the
support of so many generous donors
and partners – is so vital. We know
that every penny donated through SCF
to incredible, life-changing and lifesaving
local charities means so much.
It means families can get urgent
help to find housing when they
find themselves in crisis. It means
young people who have faced
unimaginable challenges at home can
get counselling and support to rebuild
their lives. It means older people can
find new hobbies – and friends – when
they feel weighed down by loneliness.
Community means different things
to different people. The one thing we
often share is a love of where we live
and a dream to make it better. And
that’s the work your donations to SCF
fund every day – helping Somerset
communities to drive change and
realise their dreams.
Below:
The Old Stores
Studio in
Evercreech run
low cost and
free creative
groups,
courses,
workshops
and events.
Above: Andy Ridgewell
in conversation with (L–R)
Paula Blight, SWEDA;
Maggie Charlesworth,
The Lawrence Centre; and
Sharon Hale, Shepton Mallet
Town Council.
Left: Members of the HPC
Community Fund panel meet
the Somerset Sight team at
their mobile advisory service
for sight impairment.