Setting up the Somerton Resilience Fund
The unprecedented challenge of the current Covid-19 pandemic has placed a substantial strain on many in
our society. The Parish Council, recognising this includes some within our own community who may be in
need of assistance, is looking to respond to this issue.
With this in mind the Parish Council has established a new relief fund (The Somerton Resilience Fund) which
will be available to assist those most in need with difficulties arising from the current situation. This fund has
been started with a grant received from SSE and other possible sources of grant funding are currently being
pursued.
The use and allocation of funds will be overseen by a group of trustees whose details are shown below.
Help Available
There are a variety of areas where we may be able to provide some quick help to those in greatest need. It
may be that you need some general assistance with IT and the use of a tablet so you can communicate with
family, or some general repairs or other essential items, or you may want to nominate a particular
household for a small support package to raise their morale at a difficult time. Alternatively the current
situation may have given rise to a difficult personal situation requiring some paid support. These are,
however, just examples of where financial help might be given and other areas will, of course, be considered.
As funds available will be limited we cannot promise to respond to all requests or to meet all costs
associated with any request in full, but we will aim to allocate the funds available to optimum effect.
Applying For Help
Should you wish to make an application for assistance you should use the application form attached to this
letter, which will also be available to download from the village website (www.somertonvillage.org) or on
request to the Parish Clerk whose contact details are shown on the application form. Completed forms
should be submitted to the Parish Clerk following which, applications will be considered by the trustees of
the fund. The identity of applicants will be known only to the Parish Clerk (who is not a Somerton resident)
and the trustees will therefore review applications on an anonymous basis. The trustees may require
additional information in which case such requests will be made through the Parish Clerk. All applications
will be treated in strict confidence.
The Trustees of the Somerton Resilience Fund
The trustees of the Somerton Resilience Fund and the clerk are shown below. The Parish Clerk & Responsible
finance officer (RFO) is not a trustee of the fund but as explained above will act as a point of reference for
applications. Any funds allocated to the fund will be ring-fenced for the sole use of the fund and will not
be used by the parish council.
Alison Smith Chair of Somerton Parish Council
Pete Clark Somerton Resident
Helen Holman Somerton Resident
Sue Muir Somerton Resident
Nick Rowe Somerton Resident
Cathy Fleet Clerk to Somerton Parish Council & RFO
Donations to the Somerton Resilience Fund
Should you wish to make a donation to the Somerton Resilience Fund please contact the Parish Clerk who
will be pleased to provide the relevant details. Any funds donated will be administered by the trustees in
accordance with the principles explained above.
Fund Raising
The trustees are also looking at different ways to raise funds and any ideas would be appreciated
The help and assistance of all involved with this initiative is greatly appreciated. Please contact the Clerk or
any of the trustees with your ideas and suggestions.
