Offering support in times of need
For many years the Parish Council has been working with volunteers in the village to represent The Henry Smith Charity - an independent grant-making trust with a 400-year history of helping people in the community.
The Henry Smith Charity uses its resources to help people and communities at a time of need and to bring about positive change. The Charity was founded in 1628 by Henry Smith, a businessman working in the City of London. Since then, it has honoured the spirit of Henry Smith’s will, working to combat disadvantage and meet the challenges and opportunities facing people in need throughout the UK. Today, The Henry Smith Charity is amongst the largest independent grant-makers in the UK, distributing £65 million in 2022.
The charity funds organisations that work with people to reduce social and economic disadvantage. In practice, this means that the trustees in East Horsley are awarded a sum (£2,200 this year) and are looking for the help of the village to suggest people who are deserving of a small grant to help them through a difficult time. These sums are typically small (up to £100) – they won’t change lives but will help whilst other support is being organised.
The funds are generally allocated in full each year. Recently, money has been given to local schools to support children receiving free school meals and to the Cobham Food Bank. Some individuals in immediate need have also received small grants. The local trustees are: Councillor Aileen Aitcheson, Nick Clemens, Rev Renos Pittarides, Roy Proctor and Stephen Skinner.
If you can think of anyone in East Horsley who might benefit from a grant, please contact Nick Clemens (Parish Clerk) :
Photo: Henry Smith’s monument in All Saints Church, Wandsworth