In April 2020, The Foundation launched its Hardship Fund as a response to the pandemic and subsequent lockdown. The Foundation recognised the need to immediately support charities working with our most vulnerable communities and people. The first tranche of funding was directed at existing Foundation partners. In June, the launch of a second tranche of funding expanded eligibility to include community-based charities across the UK supported by staff at Hymans Robertson LLP.
In the last 3 months, we were able to support a further 24 UK charities with emergency funding to provide food, care and PPE packages. As charities responded to online and remote delivery of services, funding was also used to support the provision of data and technical gadgets enabling young people to access counselling and welfare services.
Our charity partners have demonstrated care and support to their communities throughout. Their resilience has been outstanding and humbling. Our Chair, Clive Fortes, commented:
“It’s sobering to remember how much £250 can support: 15 families for 2 days with essential food supplies; 6 counselling appointments for young people in distress. At a time when many charities are facing reduced income and meeting increasing need, The Foundation was compelled to take immediate action.”
We are pleased to share a few of the responses from our charity partners on the positive impact that hardship funding has had:
“The Hymans Robertson award has helped us to purchase PPE so that we can re-open our building to the families we support and ensure that the important connection between counsellor and family can be established.” Edward’s Trust
“We are very grateful to The Hymans Robertson Foundation for their grant, which will go towards helping Sebastian’s Action Trust provide emergency provision packs to families of seriously-ill children. Whilst lockdown restrictions for many of us are easing, for our families, the reality of isolating at home stays the same. With this grant, we will be able to provide six families with much-needed emergency provisions’ packs.” Sebastian’s Action Trust
“We were delighted to receive the funds which have been used to purchase PPE and new, cleanable seats for our waiting area. As restrictions have lifted, we have opened our Glasgow office to run a Low Vision clinic in partnership with NHS. It has been fantastic to once again welcome our service users and provide much needed face to face services.” Visibility Scotland
