As Christmas approaches, so does the giving season! We are proud to announce the commencement of our annual Christmas charity event; Christmas Carols on the River. It’ll surely be a joyous December in our Cambridge community.
This Festive event spotlights the resonant voices of St John’s choir. Dressed in festive attire and ready to serenade Cambridge city centre from the stage of our punts! Picture classic melodies catching wind, uplifting all those in earshot with a jubilant sense of tradition and merriment. This year all ticket proceeds will be going towards supporting a non-profit organisation that provides voices to the voiceless in Cambridgeshire County.
Which charity are we featuring this year?
Cambridgeshire Community Foundation engages in grassroots altruism, raising the quality of life for the most vulnerable residents of Cambridgeshire County. They’ve awarded 10,000 monetary grants to thousands of organisations around our local community. Since 2004 they have amassed £32 million towards community projects and noble social enterprises. Assisting with issues such as food insecurity, mental health and wellbeing, homelessness, social isolation and education.
The organisation disperses funds through sophisticated financial mechanisms, resulting in long-term gains for the most vulnerable members of our local community. For example, the utilisation of investments to generate income that people across the county can benefit from year after year. This organisation is attentive to the unmet needs inherent in the deprivation caused by income inequality. Of which, rising rates of fuel poverty and lower life expectancy have been identified in the Cambridge Community.
Their participation in our Christmas carols on the river experience ensures that our charitable gift is responsibly and efficiently managed to produce maximum impact for the most vulnerable amongst us. That is why we are proud to announce our contribution to the community fund.
Acts of charity and altruism in Cambridge
The foundation utilises national averages to spotlight areas of key concern. Comparing these to local statistics allows members of the foundation to identify critical areas of need with razor precision. For example, the identification of higher preventable mortality rates and poor early-year opportunities in Fenland. As a result, the foundation has been working to increase the amount of funding available to those in Fenland. Markedly awarding a total of £2.5 million in grants, with over 300,000 people benefiting heavily.
“We are thrilled that the Christmas Carols on the River event is supporting us this year. By taking part, you will help us continue to support small, grassroots initiatives that are making a real difference in our community but may otherwise struggle to find funding. The funds raised by this exciting festive event will help us continue our work to make every neighbourhood across Cambridgeshire a fairer, safer and more vibrant place to call home.”
– Michael O’Toole, CEO
Creative Social Initiatives in Cambridgeshire
Through the Creative Fenland Project, a network of volunteers has been able to empower the Cambridge community. Successfully reaching out to those suffering from loneliness and keeping the arts alive in Fenland. Isolation, mental health and wellbeing are areas where the community needs support. This is why the foundation has been working to fund the creation of community infrastructure. Such as workshops and other creative outlets that produce culture and maintain a sense of community and belonging.
The creative Fenland project provides a diverse environment where anyone can develop skills and make friends. It acts as a hub for passion and community, providing a space to stay in touch with each other and share ideas. These workshops promote well-being at their very core. Decreasing social isolation and Increasing community ties. Even celebrating the personal work and achievements of creatives in the community, including the exhibition and sale of artwork.
Disability Support in Cambridge Community
Families in deprived areas often struggle more to support children with complex needs, this is why Cambridge Community Foundation supports those who are marginalised by disability.
Little Miracles Fenland is a charity that seeks to provide support for families in Fenland that have children with life-limiting conditions. The funding they have received enables them to host half-term sessions in Fenland, providing guidance, activities and safe places to any child with additional needs. These sessions involved fun skills workshops, physical activities, and trips away.
These families often find themselves struggling to engage in spaces where disabilities have less visibility. Their children are stigmatized and judged for their differences. Moreover, discrimination reduces how often these families engage their children in group activities. Consequently, they find it hard to connect with others in a world that marginalises them, increasing levels of isolation and loneliness.
However, thanks to the support of the foundation, community volunteers in Fenland have received in-depth training from experienced support staff. Equipping them with the skills to be able to deal with additional needs. Furthermore, becoming knowledgeable on how to produce spaces where disabled children and their parents can feel safe and heard. Moreover, this enables volunteers in Fenland to continue to support these vulnerable families on a long-term basis.
How to support local charities in Cambridge
Both of the following projects spotlighted by this article have received funding from DCMS Know Your Neighbourhood Fund; a government initiative to increase prosocial altruism across the country. Cambridgeshire Community Foundation has received over 1.3 million from this fund to tackle isolation and poor mental health in our communities.
Despite the substantial support, the amount requested in grants exceeds the amount of funding that the foundation has to give. This is why it is so important to do your part and support local charities. When you support smaller charitable organisations you engage in grassroots altruism that profoundly impacts those struggling in your local community. There are forms of deprivation that occur on the interpersonal level, through volunteering valuable hours of your time you can make an impact.
Cambridgeshire Community Foundation provides funding that is vital to the functioning of many non-profit organisations across the county. Your generosity ensures the foundation has the ability to continue issuing grants to local charities, community groups, schools and sports clubs. To signal boost initiatives of profound importance. Supporting those initiatives that may not have the visibility to secure funding, yet nevertheless produce invaluable changes to the lives of the vulnerable. Making a difference is as simple as getting informed about the charities that function in your local community. Keeping abreast of any donation requests or opportunities to help out is a way to keep the less fortunate in our hearts and minds.
In partnership with the choir of St John the Evangelist for the 6th year in a row, we hope to foster unity with our most vulnerable and resilience in the face of deprivation. Christmas carols will serenade you as you’re chauffeured through our city’s most cherished and renowned sights. Hands and hearts warm under blankets, huddled together with loved ones as Christmas carols chime sonorously. Rest assured that your charitable contribution has gone towards a noble cause.
