The Pargiter Trust was founded in 2005 by the Honorable Isobel Cooper Heyman who was a passionate campaigner for ensuring older people have the support they need to maintain independence and live healthy, happy lives. She founded the Pargiter Trust to continue her work alleviating social isolation and stress wherever possible for older people living in England and the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
Pargiter helps charities in the UK and Bailiwick who work with people aged 65 and over. It is particularly focused on charities that work on improving health and wellbeing, improving access to facilities, providing advice and training, and resolving problems related to illness, injury, disability, bereavement, and poverty.
The Guernsey Community Foundation manages the local application process, which is open until 28 March.
Jim Roberts, Chief Executive of the Foundation, said Pargiter has previously helped lots of older people in the island.
“We’re pleased to assist Pargiter in identifying potential grant recipients and making sure the application process runs smoothly,” he said.
“Over the years, Pargiter has paid hundreds of thousands of pounds to charities across the Bailiwick, and in so doing made a positive difference to many people’s lives.”
Pictured: The Ron Short Centre was a beneficiary of the Pargiter Trust last year.
Age Concern, the Ron Short Centre, the Holy Trinity Church and St Peter’s Church are among the charities who received help from Pargiter in 2022. Mr Roberts said they, and other charities support a great number of people.
“Many older people live on very little,” he said. “Over a third of Guernsey households living in relative poverty are single pensioners and couples where at least one person is over 651. And we know that the balance between working and non-working islanders is shifting and will continue to shift as the population ages and birth rates decline. All of this, plus the well-documented cost of living crisis, risks driving greater numbers of older people into poverty and putting further pressure on charities who support them.
“This is where Pargiter can make a difference, and this is why the Foundation is strongly encouraging organisations who need extra funding to come forward.”
Charities wishing to receive funding should contact the Foundation’s Grants Manager, Anna Le Page, via grants@foundation.gg.
As part of the application process they will need to provide annual accounts and evidence that they apply appropriate safeguarding measures.
Examples of previous grants issued include £10,000 gifted to the Ron Short Centre last year, which it used to run social clubs aimed at combating isolation and to operate a bus service which helps older people shop independently.
Age Concern received £2,500 to support its Liberation Day and Jubilee tea parties in 2022, while the Holy Trinity Church funded its Evergreens Senior Programme with a grant of £12,500.
St Peter’s Church received a donation of £5,750 to cover the costs of running its community café last year.