Funds raised by the Richmond Voluntary Fund

Details of past funding amounts raised, and what they have been used for.

Funds raised in 2023/24

In 2023/24 the Voluntary Fund raised over £62,000 which was split between Crossroads Care, River Thames Boat Project and Richmond Carers Centre.

With this funding these organisations have provided:

• Respite activities for young carers in term time and over school holidays 
• Regular group activities where young carers can get support, enjoy new experiences and have a break from their caring responsibilities
• Days out on the River Thames on an adapted barge for young carers including those with special educational needs, where they can learn to tie ropes, steer the boat and have fun with their friends

Funds raised in 2022/23

In 2022/23 the Voluntary Fund raised over £75,000 which was split between Richmond Carers Centre, Off The Record, ADHD Embrace, and Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation.

With this funding these organisations have provided:

• Respite activities in term time and over school holidays for young carers
• Counselling services to vulnerable young people requiring support with their mental and emotional health. This comprises crisis sessions and ongoing weekly counselling sessions for young people, either face-to-face or online
• Advice and support to parents and schools in how to support children with ADHD as well as courses to support parents with behaviour management
• Drug education workshops for young people, their parents and carers

Funds raised in 2021/22

In 2021/2022 the Voluntary Fund raised over £100,000 which was split between Off The Record, Richmond Borough Mind, Dose of Nature and Marble Hill Playcentres.

The funding was split between the charities in the following way:

• Off the Record (one third)
• Richmond Borough Mind (one third)
• Dose of Nature (one sixth)
• Marble Hill Playcentres (one sixth)

With this funding these organisations have provided:

• Counselling services to vulnerable young people requiring support with their mental and emotional health. This comprises crisis sessions and ongoing weekly counselling sessions for young people, either face-to-face or online
• Continued support to the majority of schools and youth clubs across the Borough to provide a range of peer support, mentoring, assemblies and workshops, covering topics such as managing anxiety and anger, building resilience and transitions from primary to secondary school or into adulthood
• Supported young people with one-to-one and group ‘nature prescriptions’
• Provided opportunities for outdoor play and social reconnection for children with Special Educational Needs

Funds raised in 2020/21

In 2020/2021 the Voluntary Fund raised over £110,000 which was split between Off The Record and Richmond Borough Mind.

With this funding these organisations have provided:

• Counselling services to vulnerable young people requiring support with their mental and emotional health. This comprises crisis sessions and ongoing weekly counselling sessions for young people, either face-to-face or online
• Increased telephone support and referral, not only to young people in crisis, but also to parents and carers who themselves are anxious and confused about what support is available
• Support to the majority of schools and youth clubs across the Borough to provide a range of peer support, mentoring, assemblies and workshops, covering topics such as managing anxiety and anger, building resilience and transitions from primary to secondary school or into adulthood
• Workshops for parents, carers, families and friends on recognising the signs, symptoms and triggers of poor mental health in young people and how to cope, support and communicate with them during times of poor mental health