THIRD ROUND OF GRANTS SUPPORT FIVE LOCAL ORGANISATIONS WITH AWARDS FROM £3000 TO £9000
Shepperton Studios have awarded the latest round of grants from their Community Fund. The £500,000 Fund was launched in 2022 to support local individuals, non-profit and voluntary organisations including charities, social enterprises, and community groups that serve the Shepperton area and wider Borough of Spelthorne. So far, the fund has supported 12 organisations.
The Community Foundation for Surrey, a local charity, works with Shepperton Studios to identify worthwhile causes and oversees the implementation and monitoring of all projects that are supported by the Shepperton Studios Community Fund.
The Fund has now awarded the third round of grants to the following organisations: Addlestone Victory Park Bowls Club, The Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA), Bags of Food – Jubilee Church, Cocoon Kids and Heathrow Special Needs Centre.
It is so heartening to be able to support these fantastic local organisations, carrying out such varied and essential work. Shepperton Studios are honoured to continue to offer this valuable support.
Andrew M Smith OBE DL
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Corporate Affairs Director
Rebecca Bowden
We’re delighted to be able to support Shepperton Studios with their Community Fund to make a huge positive difference to their local communities. I am really pleased that in this funding round we’ve been able to support accessible bowls to encourage people to get out and about, try something new and make friends at the same time – all of which will improve their health and wellbeing.
CEO of Community Foundation for Surrey


Addlestone Victory Park Bowls Club
An award-winning bowls club based in Victory Park, Addlestone, on a mission to make bowls more accessible and inclusive for the local community. The Club was reduced to five members in 2021 and now has grown to 100 playing members and 80 social members – due to the new modernising approach. The grant has been used for the purchase of equipment to improve access to the sport, and to help those with physical challenges enjoy the benefits bowls can bring in terms of physical and social activity.
On behalf of the whole Club, especially the Adults with Learning Difficulties Group and the 34-member strong Junior Section, I would like to thank the Shepperton Studios Community Fund for vital funding of essential equipment for these key groups. The funding has been used to purchase a Bowls Royce electric bowling wheelchair and ten sets of smaller sized bowls for the Juniors. The bespoke wheelchair has already allowed several bowlers to take part in the sport when otherwise unable. We hope this kind donation will help encourage others with additional needs to come and bowl.
Albert Tapper
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Club Secretary
Bags of Food – Jubilee Church
Bags of Food, the Shepperton food bank, is run by an excellent and committed team of volunteers, based at Jubilee Church. Oak Tree café is our mental wellbeing group. Through these two projects we aim to combat food poverty and loneliness in our community.
Thanks to the generous grant provided by Shepperton Studios, we will be able to reach many more families in need of our support through our two key projects ‘Bags of Food’ and ‘Oak Tree café
Ruth Webb-Peploe and Wendy Satterthwaite
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Food bank Coordinators


Cocoon Kids
‘A calm and caring cocoon where every child and young person reaches their true potential’. Championing mental health equity, children and young people aged 3-19, and their families, use Cocoon Kids – Creative Counselling and Play Therapy sessions to safely explore their experiences. Income shouldn’t be a barrier to sessions. That’s why we fully-fund sessions for our key community: Priority disadvantaged families. As an alongside, lived-experience service, our families are incredibly important to us as we come from the communities we serve
Thank you for your thoughtful award. It means we can say 'yes' to more local Priority families, sharing their stories and asking if we've sessions available for their family. The grant from Shepperton Studios Community Fund is already empowering local, disadvantaged communities and improving mental health and emotional wellbeing outcomes of Priority children and young people... Prevention is better than cure - and crisis.
Helene Griffin
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Founder and First Director
Heathrow Special Needs Centre
Heathrow Special Needs Centre is an established charity that provides a safe, secure and friendly community farm environment with facilities designed for people of age 5 and above with various disabilities and special needs.
Heathrow Special Needs Centre will receive 9000+ visit from people with disabilities and special needs in 2023. By taking part in our free farm and animal related activities they will achieve proven and measurable outcomes including a sense of achievement which is so important to disadvantaged people
Ken Tinslay
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Charity Secretary and Trustee
The Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA)
The Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA) is an award-winning charity founded by Dr Nooralhaq Nasimi, who arrived as a refugee with his young family in 1999. We promote social and economic integration of an increasing number of Afghan, Ukrainian and other refugees. Our Core services include Education and training, careers and business advice, women’s empowerment, Legal advice, mental health and wellbeing support, mentoring young people and cultural events based on refugee heritage.
We are very pleased to receive a grant from Shepperton Studios which will enable the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association to support recently-arrived and the most vulnerable refugees in Elmbridge and Spelthorne, many of whom have limited English language skills, no support or social networks, experience of trauma and lack of confidence. Funding will enable our charity to promote our community's integration, equip them with the tools and skills needed to thrive in the UK and reduce their isolation. We would like to express our deepest appreciation for Shepperton Studios’ generosity!
Dr Nooralhaq Nasimi
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Founder and Director
Shepperton Studios have made several commitments to their local community including, most recently, releasing £180,000 to Spelthorne Borough Council for the refurbishment of local play areas.
How to apply for a grant
The next round of Awards will take place in January 2024. To be considered for an award in June 2024 please send an expression of interest by 29th January 2024.
Please access the following website for further information and register on the ‘Expression of Interest’ page https://www.cfsurrey.org.uk/makeanapplication/.
Please note, grants will be awarded subject to meeting the Fund Criteria. For general enquiries, please contact the Community Foundation for Surrey on 01483 478092