NEW VISION FOR HAMPTON FUND
The Hampton Fund hosted a special meeting today at The Exhange in Twickenham to discuss its strategic vision and ways of improving its impact across the community.
Many local charities including recipients of Hampton Fund support were invited to offer new thoughts to meet changing requirements against the tough economic landscape.
The meeting attended by CEO Richard Barron and Chair Adele Kimber heard that between July 2023 and December 2024 a total of 53 community grants worth of £ 2.054.513 were given out and 2386 individual grants totalling £1.704.503 were awarded.
Local Lib Dem MP Munira Wilson attended the early part of the meeting before having to leave to vote in the House of Commons while Councillor Richard Baker, Trustee of the Fund and Councillor Julia Neden-Watts attended the full session.
One of the focuses of the meeting was on the ‘impact’ of the Fund’s giving as well as posing the vital question: “Can we be more efficient and effective in the way we allocate money?”
The meeting also raised the issue of ‘new areas of funding’ and the challenge of being ‘more pro-active’ in the allocation of funds.
Three local charities were highlighted to demonstrate the work of the Hampton Fund, The Real Junk Food Project, the Whitton Network and Integrated Neurological Services with a special film showcasing their results.
The Hampton Fund, which dates back to 1811, has always prioritised Hampton, Hampton Hill, Hampton Wick, Teddington, Twickenham and Richmond.
“In recent years the need for support from the voluntary sector has risen both in our local borough of Richmond as well as the rest of the UK.
“The impact of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis on the most vulnerable in our communities has been significant and, while the effect of these events on the broader population may starting to be less sharply felt, the cumulative impact on the most vulnerable will have an impact for a long time to come,” said the presentation.
“Hampton Fund is the custodian of an important community asset. Working within limits means that greater clarity on the need we exist to meet and our purpose in addressing that need, will help us to maximise the impact of this asset at a time when demand for it continues to be so high.”
It added: “We are clear that our focus is to reach individuals and families. We can do this both through supporting the work of community organisations as well as direct support by making grants to individuals.
“Our longer term vision is about an individual’s ability to thrive as part of the local community and the type of community we would like that to be.”
The charity has commissioned an external company called Rocket Science to help assess the input and feedback of today’s important meeting and shape the strategy and focus of The Hampton Fund moving forward.
To learn more about the Hampton Fund and grants available to both individuals and community projects go to www.hamptonfund.co.uk