The Barker-Mill Foundation has awarded funding to several charities based in the New Forest, further strengthening its position as a key local charitable organisation. Age Concern New Forest, New Forest Live at Home, Home-Start New Forest, and the 3rd New Forest North Scout Group have all been awarded funding to help them meet their charitable aims.
Age Concern New Forest has been provided £2,000 to support the charity in its mission to provide help to older people in the New Forest by offering services including information and advice, befriending, lunch clubs, and computer clubs. The charity, which has been established since 1989, works to ensure that all elderly people in the New Forest can experience a high quality-of-life, and can live independently for as long as possible.
New Forest Live at Home is a community-based scheme which works to reduce loneliness and isolation among older people. The scheme has been awarded £1,000 by the Barker-Mill Foundation, which will contribute towards the support of new groups for older people in Totton. This money will go towards start-up costs, helping to establish groups which are sustainable long-term.
Home-Start Hampshire, which the Foundation has supported significantly in the past, has been awarded a further £1,300 to support a family for a year. The charity works to support the work of local authorities and families by supporting families experiencing challenges such as poverty, mental and emotional health difficulties, social isolation or parenting challenges. The charity provides essential help to families in difficult situations, and endeavours to reach them at the most crucial points, particularly in terms of early childhood development.
Christine Chapman, Business Development Director for Home-Start Hampshire said: “We work with many families in the New Forest area and have many more families waiting for assistance so we’re very grateful for the generosity of the Barker-Mill Foundation, which enables us to continue this valuable work.”
Continuing the Foundation’s long-standing relationship with the 3rd New Forest North Scout Group, £2,000 of funding has been awarded to the Group, which will go towards much-needed facility repairs and upgrades. The Group provides a valuable place for young people to spend their time, as well as working throughout the local community with people of all ages.
Tim Jobling, Trustee of the Barker-Mill Foundation, said: “At the Barker-Mill Foundation, we’re proud to support local charities and be active members of the New Forest community. The funding that we provide to local charities is essential for their valuable work, and it’s a privilege to help support a number of vulnerable groups through these charities. We’re confident that these charities will use the funding efficiently and have a big impact on communities and individuals throughout the New Forest, and we look forward to seeing the outcomes of their hard work.”