Trust Care Fund Update - April

Our Care Fund has been operating under some tough conditions over the past year, however, it has still been very busy in many areas of activity. We have also now got a cautious green light to resume all of our activities in the near future. 

Our Home Visits Team have been continuing to offer help to families in need via telephone consultations; although call volumes have been slightly lower this past year we have still completed nearly 500 virtual visits. Our Utilities Team have provided 75 seniors, on low pensions, with help towards their energy bills whilst our Christmas Parcels Team successfully delivered over 120 seasonal parcels. The Befriending Team has seen a particularly large increase in demand over the past 12 months and we now have some 70 clients receiving regular friendly calls. 

Providing the Government’s Coronavirus road map continues to plan we will be opening-up our Coffee Mornings at the Trust Centre (Tuesdays) and the Salvation Army Hall (Thursdays) in July. Hopefully our Outings for seniors and families will start in August. Our Health & Safety Officer is providing us with the guidance to enable this to happen. 

Our colleagues from the Seniors Forum have now joined the Trust and are currently preparing a newsletter for their previous members. They are also in the process of booking a venue, hopefully the new cultural centre in Harpenden, for the Annual Seniors Fair in October. This has been a great way for Harpenden Seniors to find out more about what is happening in Harpenden. 

I can also announce one new activity for the Care Fund, to be called Harpenden Wellbeing. This is taking shape and will be a joint venture between the Harpenden Trust, local GP practices and Mind, Mid Herts. Further news will be available as progress is made. 

Finally, I would also like to say a huge thank you to our Office Staff who have kept the Trust Office running so well under really challenging conditions during the past year. 

But with all of these exciting plans comes a, however…. We will only follow through with these plans if it is safe for our Volunteers and clients. 

Thanks again to all our wonderful Volunteers, you really are making a difference to our community. 

And fingers crosses for a much happier year ahead.

 

Nick Luckett, Chairman, Harpenden Trust Care Fund

22 April 2021

In Other News

Thank you to the Hertfordshire Chamber Orchestra

02 October 2025
A huge thank you to the Hertfordshire Chamber Orchestra who performed at St Nicholas Church, Harpenden on Saturday 13th September. A fantastic total of just under £1000 was raised and donated to the Harpenden Trust. Richard Nichols, Harpenden Trust Chair, spoke in the interval to thank everyone involved and to give an overview of the Harpenden Trust and the many ways in which it continues to support the local community.
More

Hornbeam Wood Hedgehog Sanctuary and the Harpenden Trust Community Fund

30 September 2025
Hornbeam Wood Hedgehog Sanctuary is a very successful local charity who rescue and rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned hedgehogs from Harpenden and surrounding villages that are then released back into the wild.  Hedgehogs are on the list of endangered species.  They also run a range of outreach and educational activities for the local community, focusing on schools, childrens groups and local environmental and wildlife groups. The charity has been running for 10 years and during that time has seen a…
More

New Volunteering Opportunity at the Harpenden Trust

21 September 2025
We are looking for a new team member to join our Home Visiting team.  Please see the advert above for more details.  To view all of our current volunteering posts, please click here.  We also welcome enquiries from anyone thinking of volunteering and wanting to learn more about the variety of opportunities at the Trust.  
More

Hertfordshire Chamber Orchestra Concert - Saturday 13 September 2025 at 7.30pm

01 September 2025
The Hertfordshire Chamber Orchestra is proud to present a concert on Saturday 13th September at 7.30pm at St Nicholas Church. All proceeds will go to the Harpenden Trust. Tickets are available in advance from the Harpenden Trust Office at 90 Southdown Road, weekdays between 10:00am and 12:00, or on the door at the concert. Tickets £20, Concessions 60+ £15, under 18s free. Refreshments will be available. Last year over £1300 was raised for the Trust at this event and we hope this year will…
More