In light of recent events, we want to say that Gloucestershire Community Foundation is totally committed to fostering a community where *everyone* feels welcomed, valued, and respected.  We believe in the power of unity and recognise our strength comes from embracing the different skills, experiences and viewpoints that people bring.

 Together with our community partners we work really hard to create a safe and inclusive environment where each individuals’ contributions are celebrated, and where we can all work together towards a more harmonious future.

 We believe in a Gloucestershire where everyone has a place.

Thank you for reading.

The GCF Team

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The aim of the event was to shine a light on our rural economy and the overlooked issues of rural poverty in Gloucestershire. To help raise awareness of some of these issues, we were supported by amazing local charities, Cotswold Friends, The Churn and The Keepers. Each charity was based at three of the pit-stops, to chat with guests about their work and some of the challenges facing families and individuals.

The day was a huge success, thanks to our brilliant events organiser and sponsor, Oasis Events, with 34 cars taking place and visiting five awesome venues along the route.

We were delighted to be joined by the luxury sunglasses brand Renauld, who kindly donated a pair of sunglasses from their Elvis collection for one of the rally prizes.

The day started at the fabulous Feathered Nest Inn, a beautiful spot in Nether Westcote, with stunning views across the Cotswolds. The guests were treated to delicious pastries and bacon butties before being flagged off to the first stop along the route..

First stop: Hill Barn

Guests were greeted at the exclusive event venue in a beautiful Cotswold stone barn, just outside of Stow-on-the-Wold.

The stop was hosted by the fantastic Cotswold Friends, a charity based in the North Cotswolds providing various services to combat loneliness and isolation, improve health and wellbeing, and support independent living in the area. With over 350 volunteer roles, their services benefit over 2,000 older and vulnerable people per year.

The Community Transport Service provides medical, practical and social journeys for those who are unable to drive or for whom public transport is difficult to use or not available. Community Transport is vital to allow people to access services including hospitals, doctors, post offices and supermarkets (Cotswold Friends Annual Report 2023).

Second stop: Hawkstone Brewery

Guests alighted at Hawkstone Brewery, just outside Bourton on the Water, and were hosted by The Churn Project, a charity based in Cirencester that works to support people of all ages particularly those facing the challenges of rural, small town poverty.

17% of the town’s population live with a limiting long-term illness or disability (The Churn Project, 2024).

Guests were treated to a fascinating guided tour of the brewery as well as samples of their superb locally brewed 0.3% alcohol Spa Lager.

Third stop: The Frogmill

Next stop, the wonderful 17th century Frogmill pub, at Shipton Oliffe. Upon reaching the third stop guests were happy to receive their free ice-cream treat and chat to The Keepers, a community hub based in Wooton-under-Edge, serving community families and individuals in the surrounding area and South Gloucestershire.

With 44% of households in their community living in deprivation, we provided 2,902 freezer meals from our community freezer (The Keepers, 2024).

Back on the road, for the final leg of the rally.

Guests were met at the final venue, the fabulous Stowell Park, with very welcome drinks and canapes, before an afternoon of prize giving, live auction, raffle and BBQ feast by the brilliant caterers, Reeka Events supported by our generous fundholder Lord Vestey.

Thank you to Tom Cross and Emma Smith for the wonderful photos and footage of the event. Special thanks to George Walker for providing the live auction and to everyone that supported the event: Renauld, JDC PROMOTIONS, Lumiere Cheltenham, Whatley Manor, Henry’s Seafood and Bar, Dunkerton’s, SimAir 737, La Boulangerie Artisan, Ellenborough Park, Cheltenham Racecourse, Midcounties Coop. 

“Thanks very much to you, your team and the volunteers for a really great day.  The atmosphere was so fun and light hearted, and everyone, literally everyone was so friendly” Alan Beresford, car rally driver.

Please consider donating to the Poverty Hurts Appeal so we can carry on fighting poverty and enriching lives.

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Common Ground is a community garden in Conduit Street, Gloucester, maintained by The Nelson Trust, in partnership with GCF. The garden is accessible and inclusive of the local community and open to everyone using or working for The Nelson Trust.

The Nelson Trust, a UK registered charity, provides residential rehabilitation and community services to support people affected by addiction to achieve long-term recovery and lasting change.

After GCF was gifted the land by a donor we took the decision to ensure the garden could continue to be used by the Nelson Trust and neighbouring charity GARAS, rather than see the land sold and turned into a car park. Then thanks to international law firm, Charles Russell Speechlys (CRS), who generously donated their services to prepare the land lease agreement, the land was entitled the Nelson Trust to use as a community garden.

We are also extremely thankful for the support that we have received from Tania Hitchins and Robert Hitchins Limited helping get this project off the ground.

“The project is a fantastic example of the charity and private sector working together for the benefit of their local community”
Talitha Nelson, Gloucestershire Community Foundation CEO.

Members of the CRS team, one of our donors Tania Hitchins, our CEO Talitha Nelson with Project Manager Sam Wingfield from the Nelson Trust, on a visit to the garden in February 2024.

The project today

Since then the garden has come on in leaps and bounds, emerging from a hard landscaped area at the beginning of the year, to a blossoming haven full of potential for the many community users, including from the Nelson Trust and local schools which lack proper outdoor space for their children to use.

We were delighted to go along to the Open Day for the garden in July, to meet some of the wonderful team that have made the garden what it is today.

The garden provides an outdoor space for staff and volunteers to work together as well as providing a calm and serene space for the local community; focusing on three key areas of engagement, the landscape, client volunteers and community involvement.  The development of the communal common ground will rewild and encourage edible biodiversity for the benefit of the community.

The project will engage with the Nelson Trust’s beneficiaries and volunteers; using therapeutic horticulture to empower, enthuse and give practical knowledge and transferable skills to enable the transition into paid or voluntary work.  It will also provide a physical resource for local residents and the wider community, allowing them to engage and participate in the development of the garden.

Samantha Wingfield, the Community Garden Manager, says that “By improving the visual and physical appearance of the land it will enrich biodiversity in the local environment. The design plan uses existing features within the garden to their best advantage; enabling fruit and vegetables to be grown and using flowers to improve aesthetics and health.”

Project future

The garden is testament to the kind and generous donors and volunteers that have supported the project since it began. But it’s not finished yet…There are more plans for the garden, to ensure that volunteers have a dry area during wet weather and solar powered energy for lighting and cooking.

If you would like to make a donation to contribute to the garden and benefit the local community, please follow the link to our DONATE page and select ‘Community Garden’ in the drop down box.

Thank you

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We are raising funds for our Poverty Hurts Appeal in support of Gloucestershire’s vulnerable people and families struggling with the increase in the cost of living, many of whom are living in poverty as a result.

The auction will be held on the afternoon of the day, with our live auctioneer George Walker from Allsop.  We welcome bids before the day, so if you would like to make a bid for any of our wonderful items, all you need to do is to check the reserve amount, next to the description of the lot and make a bid higher than that – it’s that simple!

PLEASE NOTE: ADVANCE BIDS ARE NOW CLOSED!

Lot 1 – Calmsden Estate shoot

An exclusive day that can’t be bought on the open market:

150 bird day, 8 guns. Full hospitality includes elevenses; lunch and tea back in the main house.

Reserve: £8,000 Value: £10,000

Lot 2 – Arsenal tickets x 2 with full hospitality platinum level in private box

The seats are towards the goal end; refreshments will be in Platinum level at half-time.

Home season dates will be published on Arsenal’s website for 2024/25 season.

Website: https://www.arsenal.com/news/arsenals-202425-premier-league-fixture-list

Reserve: £200 Value: £300

Lot 3 – A unique and exclusive hawking experience hosted by the owner on his private estate in the Cotswolds

A guided afternoon tour watching falcons as they search for prey. To be arranged for November or December.

Reserve: £200 Value: Priceless

Lot 4 – Lumiere Restaurant – an eight course tasting menu for two at the Mitchelin starred restaurant in Cheltenham.

Chef Patron John Howe trained with several Michelin star chefs, including Heston Blumenthal, and now runs the renowned Lumiere Restaurant in Cheltenham, which was awarded its first Michelin star in 2023.  Available from Wednesday to Saturday evening.

Website: https://lumiererestaurant.co.uk/

Reserve: £150 Value: £270

Lot 5 – Spa day – a day of decadence for two at Whatley Manor Hotel, near Malmsbury

A full day experience which includes full use of the spa facilities, a 30-minute Sothys Tailor Made Body Treatment, and the choice between the following 90-minute Facials: Detox Energie, Hydra Hyaluronic, Youth Intensive, Gaiyoga Lifting Facial.  Guests can enjoy a light lunch with a glass of wine or non-alcoholic refreshment.

Website: https://www.whatleymanor.com/

Reserve: £250 Value: £480

Lot 6 – The Feathered Nest – dine for 4 at the Feathered Nest

Enjoy a sumptuous 6-course tasting menu at the beautiful country inn.  With a fantastic reputation as a food destination, diners can choose to dine in the restaurant or depending on the season, take in the stunning views of the Cotswold countryside from the garden terrace.

Website: https://thefeatherednestinn.co.uk

Reserve: £150 Value: £340

Lot 7 – The British F1 Grand Prix – VIP tickets for two people on Friday 5th July

VIP Brooklands Hospitality all day for two people with JDC Promotions

Silverstone will again host the F1 British Grand Prix. Silverstone first held a F1 race back in 1950 and has built a reputation for its fast and challenging circuit. If years past are anything to go by it will once again be another thrilling race with plenty of action!

Your day will include:
• All day access to top floor Penthouse Brooklands Suite
• VIP Pass and Circuit Entrance Ticket
• Classic British Breakfast, Grand Prix Luncheon and
Afternoon Tea served in Suite
• Premium Bar service with free flowing Champagne*
• Views of giant Stadium Super Screen, in suite Timing Monitors
and Plasma Screens
• Reserved Hospitality VIP Car Parking
• Close to the F2 and F3 Support Paddocks, Concert Stage
and Entertainment Zone

Further details: www.jdcpromotions.co.uk

Reserve: £300 Value: £700

Happy bidding!

Thank you also to Midcounties Co-Op who are generously providing luxury hampers for our Car Rally winners.

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Following on from the success of our inaugural Great Escape Car Rally fundraiser in June, we are excited to share the a short film of the event, as well as the date of the Great Escape Car Rally in 2024, scroll down for more information…. remember any car can enter.

We can now confirm the date of our Car Rally fundraiser as Sunday 30th June 2024!

The navigational rally will take drivers and their navigators on an adventure through the beautiful Cotswolds, stopping at some stunning locations and giving guests the opportunity to meet some of the amazing charitable organisations providing invaluable support to our communities.

At the final venue and the finish point, guests will be served lunch and we will be holding an auction with some amazing prizes.

The event will raise funds for our Poverty Hurts Appeal, in support of the increasing number of people in Gloucestershire struggling with the continued cost of living crisis.

Many local charities are experiencing 30-50% increases in people turning to them, but as a charity they are struggling to raise enough funding to help their beneficiaries, as well finding funding to pay their own increasing overheads.  As a result, some charities are now having to turn people away and close their doors, as they just can’t cope anymore.

“Charities all over Gloucestershire are coming to us for vital funding to help people who need it urgently. It’s absolutely essential that we raise the funds to help them.  We can’t let them down, we must ensure that people’s basic needs around heating and eating are met in the face of poverty.”  Talitha Nelson, CEO.

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The aim of the event was to shine a light on our rural economy and the overlooked issues of rural poverty.  The objective was to bring together businesses, charities and individuals who care about their community to enjoy a fun day visiting superb sites in the county, whilst learning more about the needs of the local communities living in those often forgotten areas.

The day of the event dawned bright and the sun shone warmly all day. The rally started from the spectacular Amphitheatre at Berrybank Park and was then followed by three more stops…

The first, Naunton Downs Golf Club, a beautiful estate in the heart of the Cotswolds. Here, guests were greeted by Cotswold Friends, an amazing charity that’s helping to tackle poverty and giving support to over 2,500 older people living in rural communities.

The second stop was at the climbing and outdoor centre, Far Peak, just outside Northleach. The stop was hosted by The Churn Project, a charity based in Cirencester that works uniquely with people from birth to death and all challenges, particularly the challenges of rural, small town poverty.

Next stop, a private historic house, an incredibly generous private individual opened their amazing estate and home, to refresh our guests, was hosted by the GCF Team.

Last but by no means least, was the Classic Motor Hub at Bibury. Hosted by the brilliant charity Play Gloucestershire, whose work supports thousands of children in the county, many living in isolated ‘forgotten’ areas.  Guests enjoyed a fabulous feast, and the winners of the rally quiz were delighted to collect their prizes!

“Give yourselves a big pat on the back. You nailed it. Fun, interesting, laid back, non competitive, great route and super organised. Thank you” Jim Ruddy, seasoned rally driver.

“Thank you for an amazing day. The organisation was faultless, every member of your volunteer team we encountered was friendly, smiling and helpful, the food was delicious and plentiful. What a fantastic way to educate people on GCF’s work and local charities.” Rachel Hartley, first time rally navigator – prize winner

We want to raise £500,000 to help stop poverty in the county, please consider donating to the Poverty Hurts Appeal so we can carry on fighting poverty and enriching lives.

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An example, the need for food parcels in the last two years in Gloucestershire has risen by 65%. Statutory provision is limited and therefore the voluntary sector has had to step up again and fill the gaps. The sector’s response has been immense and charities and community groups are working harder than ever to support a growing need for help and care.

With the help of our generous and kind donors, GCF has already identified where funding was and is, most needed and has awarded over £80,000 in Cost of Living grants to communities across the county in support of the ongoing crisis.  This much needed support has helped to reduce hunger, provide warmth and shelter, reduce isolation and loneliness, and keep families together.

GCF has funded:

• 8,000 hot meals and food packages
• 25 warm spaces in the county
• Over 30,000 vulnerable people given support

You can download the full report here.

As need has continued to rise, we have now launched the Poverty Hurts Appeal to raise £500K, so we can carry on fighting poverty and enriching lives.

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