The new High Sheriff of Somerset, Thomas Sheppard and the new CEO of Quartet Community Foundation, Suzanne Rolt, joined forces to visit a host of community groups across B&NES and North Somerset.

They set out to hear how local charities are bouncing back to life after lockdown. They also wanted to thank them for helping some of the most vulnerable people in our local communities through this difficult time.

Together they visited eight projects funded through Quartet Community Foundation in the last two years, including the SWALLOW Café at The Hive in Peasedown St John, Gympanzees Bath Roadshow at Threeways School, and The Strawberry Line Café in Yatton.

Suzanne Rolt, CEO at Quartet Community Foundation, said: “Starting my new role during the pandemic has meant that I’ve had to wait for restrictions to lift before getting out and about to see all these extraordinary projects. It’s certainly been worth the wait.

“Meeting the people who run them has reinforced for me the astonishing levels of passion and commitment that drive our smaller charities and voluntary organisations. I’ve been inspired too by the positive impact Quartet’s grants are having in our local communities.

“Quartet has awarded grants to well over 1,000 community projects in B&NES, Bristol, North Somerset and South Glos since the pandemic began. I’m immensely proud of this, but I know there is still so much more to do.

“With warnings of a difficult winter ahead for so many local vulnerable families, I wanted to thank these groups in person for all they’ve done to date. They’ve been nothing short of amazing over the last 18 months, providing a lifeline for so many local lives. They know we’re not out of the woods yet and are steeling themselves to face further challenging times – Quartet is going to be at their side as they do this.”

Thomas Sheppard, High Sheriff of Somerset:

“This year I want to shine a light on the great work going on in local charities across Somerset. These eight projects may serve different communities, but they all have one thing in common: their commitment to creating opportunities and improving life for some of the most vulnerable members in society.”

Grant proved a lifeline for popular Yatton café with a social purpose.

One of the groups they visited described how a grant in the first lockdown had proved a lifeline for their community café.

Quartet Community Foundation have awarded The Strawberry Line Café at Yatton Railway Station various grants in recent years to support their work providing training and paid jobs for adults with learning disabilities. A grant of £5,000 in May 2020 helped in their fight for survival during the first lockdown. This vital funding helped cover overheads for 12 weeks to ensure the security of the organisation.

Sally Wilcock from Strawberry Line Café: “This grant offered us a real lifeline. Very simply, the Cafe probably would not have survived and still be operating without it. Jobs would have been lost, particularly for our employees with learning disabilities. The grant gave us a much-needed breather, enabling our energies as directors and volunteers to go into retaining our staff, planning for the lockdown and beyond and maintaining our premises.”

In total they visited and met with eight local good causes:

The Hive Community Centre, Peasedown St John. A now thriving community centre providing room hire, and activities for the Peasedown St John Community.

SWALLOW Café at The Hive, Peasedown St John. The café not only provides delicious food and drinks but employment opportunities and training for young adults with learning disabilities.

Gympanzees Bath Roadshow at Threeways School, Bath was the charity’s first visit to Bath and was part funded by the Bath Half Marathon Fund. The roadshow gives children with disabilities and their siblings an equal chance to play and exercise to aid their physical and mental development, ensuring that they can meet their potential. The roadshow had a range of adapted, sensory, accessible, and fun equipment.

Creativity Works, Radstock work with professional artists to help improve wellbeing and mental health through creative courses.

West of England Rural Network (WERN) organise community support through Village Agents and run a scheme to reduce the cost of heating oil by cooperatively ordering in bulk.

The volunteer-led Chew Valley Community Transport Scheme.

Chew Chat, a community group also supported by WERN and Quartet.

Strawberry Line Café, Yatton Railway Station, North Somerset. Quartet Community Foundation have awarded The Strawberry Line Café various grants in recent years to support their work providing training and paid jobs for adults with learning disabilities.

If you’d like to request a visit from the High Sheriff of Somerset, visit: https://highsheriffsomerset.org.uk/current-high-sheriff/

If you’re looking for funding for a community project in the West of England, Quartet may have a suitable grant available: https://quartetcf.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant/