Blooming Blossoms Trust
Blooming Blossoms Trust started life in 2007. They saw the pain of SEN children trapped in mainstream approaches but also bright and gifted children expected to toe the line and suppress their ideas and questions. They knew there is a different approach. By breaking free from barriers and developing the children’s strengths and talents. Given space and acceptance, disabled children and disadvantaged kids can blossom beyond expectations. They run a comprehensive range of projects designed to inspire, educate and empower children of all abilities. We made our first grant in Nov 2016 and have supported them every year helping to fund many of their imaginative programmes.
Love Marlborough Kids Meals
Love Marlborough Kids Meals is part of the Love Marlborough initiative created by the Marlborough Anglican Team in Wiltshire with the intention of bringing hope in difficult times.
This community of volunteers provides meals to families in the Marlborough area with no questions asked. They provide hot meals to families who need them. They feed the whole family with one hot healthy meal delivered to their door once every week with enough additional ingredients to cook another simple meal in the week. All new families are given a slow-cooker, low-energy consuming and perfect for easy budget family meals. Another charity that is reflective of many across the country with volunteers coming together to meet a clear need sometimes obvious, sometimes hidden. Our first small grant in Oct 2022 has been followed by progressively becoming more ambitious.
Swings and Smiles
Founded in 2007 by Sian Cook with the simple objective of providing children with special needs and disabilities a place where they would be able to go with their families and play. It’s about community and social welfare. By 2021, Swings & Smiles had provided over 7251 hours of support. Their centre opens seven days a week supporting children and young people with special needs and their families during the day and after school. They also visit other organisations through an outreach service. In Oct 2023 were made our first grant then in 2025 we joined with Downs School in Berkshire in an imaginative matched funding scheme to support the charity.
Lansdown Friendship Club
Lansdown Friendship Club (LFC) is a small local group based in St Stephens church Bath. It is a non-profit club focused on providing friendship, community and activities for people suffering from dementia and their families. A wonderful example of local people seeing and experiencing the challenge of dementia in their community and wanting to help. It was set up and is still run by volunteers. No website, no financial reserves, not a registered charity but an impressive club that meets a growing need superbly. It has monthly social gatherings with tea, cakes and lots of chat. Singing is popular and playing games is part of the joy. We have supported LFC since 2022 and have steadily increased our involvement so the group can enjoy new events such as day trips to gardens and estates .
Forest Pulse
Forest Pulse is a small charity based in the Forest of Dean . It provides a range of exciting out-of-school social, sport and recreational activities for disabled children and young people. Activities provided are varied so that everybody has the opportunity to get involved them whatever their ability or mobility and giving them the same opportunities as their non-disabled peers. The charity also supports parents/carers in a variety of ways. We made our first grant in 2026.
The Forest of Dean Baby Bank
The Forest of Dean Baby Bank was set up in 2017 by volunteers and continues to be run by local volunteers. At first the Baby Bank only helped with baby equipment, nappies, wipes and toiletries and clothes for premature and new-born babies. Then in 2018 it established The Children’s Clothing Cupboard for 0-10 year old children. This was then expanded to include school uniform working with the Salvation Army. Families can refer themselves for help. We made our first grant in 2026.
Sparks of Success
Sparks of Success is based in Salford. Their mission is to help disadvantaged youths to thrive with a nourished body, a free mind, connection and self-development. They do this through a range of activities and after school programmes which build skills and confidence and tear down the barriers that lock so many into a cycle of disadvantage. We made our first grant in 2026.