What it is and what it does

Helping local people through difficult times is the aim of the Dacorum Community Trust, in whose care the Chipperfield Community Fund was placed some years ago “to be used in cases of need within the Parish (Civil and Parochial)”.

Living as we do in such a lovely and comfortable part of the world, the difficulties that local people sometimes have to face are not easily visible. Last year the Trust distributed about £30,000 in grants, sometimes very small but all making a real difference to the most vulnerable members of our local Dacorum community. There is no typical case but the following illustrate the range of grants the Trust makes:

¥ An 84 year old widow still able to live independently on a very basic pension had nothing comfortable and clean to sit on. The Trust gave a grant to help buy a suitable soft decent chair.

¥ A 43 year old mother on her own with children has to cope with the disabling effects of a brain haemorrhage, which resulted in paralysis of her right arm and leg, and some brain damage. She has struggled to manage everyday chores; The Trust helped her to buy an eye- level oven to enable her to cook.

¥ Three young children aged 13, 9 and 5 are being looked after by their grandparents after the sudden death of their mother (father long since vanished). The Trust helped the grandparents take the children on a short holiday to help relieve the trauma of their loss.

¥ A rare genetic disease left a young hardworking family’s baby unable ever to have any muscles. Growing heavier and bigger, the constant carrying up and down stairs was becoming a daily struggle. The Trust helped with a grant to put in a special baby seat stair lift.

¥ A young man with very poor vision received a grant to help him attend a course on music production and purchase vital software.

¥ A 72 year old Parkinson’s sufferer had to spend a lot of time in respite care. With her intellect unimpaired and struggling to produce a novel she was helped by the Trust to purchase a lap-top computer to take into care with her.

The Trust also made grants to a number of local organisations to help with specific projects such as:

¥ A grant to allow young adults with learning difficulties from Dacorum participate in a summer programme of activities with Watford Mencap.

¥ A grant to provide a Christmas party for the elderly clients and carers at local Age Concern day centres

¥ A grant to help kick start the funding for a new club for Alzheimer sufferers

Being local and already equipped to help individuals meant the Trust was able to react immediately after the explosion at Buncefield and set up a special fund, the DCT Mayor’s Recovery Fund. This fund will make grants to help and support those who live or work in the affected area.

If you would like to make a lasting difference to your local community you might consider making a donation now or remembering the Trust in your will. The Trust is a registered charity no. 272759 and the office is at 48 High St. Hemel Hempstead, telephone 01442 231396. For more information about the Trust explore our website at www.dctrust.org.uk where details on how to apply for grants or to make on-line donations are also available.

Margaret Kingston