Frimley Fuel Allotments Cio

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £214,000 (2024)
• Total Grants Awarded: 160 individuals and groups (2024)
• Grant Range: £500 - £9,000 (group grants; individual grant amounts vary)
• Geographic Focus: GU15 and GU16 postcodes (Frimley, Surrey)
• Annual Income: £265,692 (2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £265,963 (2024)

Contact Details

Office Address: Room 1P, Station House, Pembroke Broadway, Camberley, Surrey GU15 3XD

Phone: 07895 251112 / 01276 25017

Email: office@frimleyfuelallotments.org

Website: https://ffa.charity

Office Hours: Mondays 09:30-13:00 (available by phone or email throughout the week)

Overview

Frimley Fuel Allotments is one of the UK's oldest local charities, founded over 200 years ago with formal designation on April 11, 1826. Registered as a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) in 2015 with charity number 1161717, the organization operates under the brand “Help to Live” (launched in 2025). The charity's mission is “Empowering Lives, Ending Poverty” through providing financial relief to individuals and local groups experiencing need, hardship, and distress within the former Parish of Frimley, now defined by postcodes GU15 and GU16. In 2024, the charity distributed £214,000 across 160 grants to individuals and organizations. The charity is governed by 15 volunteer trustees who live in or represent people in the Parish of Frimley, and no trustees receive any remuneration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Grants: Financial assistance for individuals in need, hardship, or distress. Grants can cover:

• Heating costs (annual heating grants program)
• White goods (washing machines, refrigerators, etc.)
• Furniture and carpets
• Energy debts and rent arrears
• Other essential items calculated to alleviate hardship

Heating Grants: Annual program providing assistance with heating costs to applicants with limited means. Grant decisions are made in December and paid the following month directly to the applicant's energy provider by bank transfer.

Group Grants: £500 - £9,000+ for local organizations including schools, churches, hostels, youth groups, and other local causes with compatible objectives. Recent examples include:

• £9,000 for a new fire alarm system (Ezra charity, 2024)
• Funding for Surrey Heath Age Concern's “Visiting and Befriending” Service supporting approximately 50 clients weekly
• £1,000 for music equipment for young people (St. Andrews Church Frimley Green and Mytchett, October 2022)
• “Mindful mornings” programs at schools providing sensory activities

Priority Areas

• Relief of poverty and financial hardship
• Heating assistance for vulnerable residents
• Essential household items for those in crisis
• Youth services and activities
• Community services supporting vulnerable populations
• Befriending and social care services
• Religious organizations serving the local community

Geographic Restriction

CRITICAL: Applicants (individuals or organizations) must serve or reside in postcodes GU15 and GU16 only. This is strictly enforced.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not published, but grant requests from individuals resulting from debt or benefits issues will only be considered if the applicant has first sought advice from Citizens Advice Surrey Heath or Frontline Debt Advice.

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Governance and Leadership

The charity is governed by 15 volunteer trustees who either live in the Parish of Frimley or represent people living in the area. All trustees serve without remuneration, payments, or benefits. The charity operates transparently with no trading subsidiaries and maintains current reporting with the Charity Commission.

Recent news indicates the charity is subject to public interest regarding land management, with local councillors calling for greater transparency from trustees regarding potential sale or disposal of public land assets.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Individual Grants & Heating Grants:

• Download and complete the relevant application form from the website (https://ffa.charity/help-to-live/)
• Complete all sections and sign the form
• Submit to: office@frimleyfuelallotments.org
• Or post to: The Office, High Cross Church (or Room 1P, Station House address)
• Alternative: Call 07895 251112 or 01276 25017 to request an application form

Group Grants:

• Download and complete the Group Grant application form
• Submit via the same channels as individual grants
• Applications appear to be considered on a rolling basis

Important Requirement: Grant requests resulting from debt or benefits issues will only be considered if the applicant has first sought advice locally from Citizens Advice Surrey Heath or Frontline Debt Advice.

Decision Timeline

• Heating Grants: Decisions made in December each year, paid the following month (January)
• Other Grants: Timeline not publicly specified; likely considered on a rolling basis

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The charity distributed 160 grants in 2024 totaling £214,000, suggesting they maintain active grant-making throughout the year.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly specified. Contact the office for guidance on reapplication after unsuccessful applications.

Application Success Factors

Critical Requirement - Geographic Eligibility: Ensure you are in GU15 or GU16 postcodes. This is non-negotiable.

Debt/Benefits Applicants Must Seek Advice First: If your grant request relates to debt or benefits issues, you must demonstrate that you have already sought advice from Citizens Advice Surrey Heath or Frontline Debt Advice before applying.

Complete All Sections: Application forms must be fully completed and signed. Incomplete applications may delay processing.

Evidence of Need: The charity focuses on relieving “need, hardship and distress,” so clearly articulating your circumstances and the specific hardship the grant will alleviate is important.

Group Grant Applicants: The charity appears to support regular organizational recipients (e.g., Citizens Advice is mentioned as a regular beneficiary). Building a relationship over time may be beneficial for organizations.

Alignment with Mission: Projects that help vulnerable populations, address poverty, or provide essential services to those in hardship align with the charity's core mission of “Empowering Lives, Ending Poverty.”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic restriction is absolute: Only GU15 and GU16 postcode residents/organizations are eligible
• The charity maintains high activity: 160 grants totaling £214,000 in 2024 demonstrates consistent grant-making
• Heating grants follow an annual cycle: Apply by November/early December for heating assistance to be paid in January
• Debt-related applications require prior advice-seeking: Contact Citizens Advice Surrey Heath or Frontline Debt Advice first
• Both individuals and groups can apply: The charity serves a dual purpose supporting personal hardship and community organizations
• Long-standing community presence: Over 200 years of operation suggests deep community knowledge and established processes
• Contact the office for guidance: With limited published guidelines, calling 07895 251112 for application advice is recommended

References

• Frimley Fuel Allotments Official Website - ffa.charity
• Frimley Fuel Allotments - Legacy Website
• Charity Commission Register - Charity 1161717
• Charity Commission Full Print Record
• Surrey County Council - Frimley Fuel Allotments Directory
• Citizens Advice Surrey Heath - Help with Fuel Bills
• Turn2us Grants Search - Frimley Fuel Allotments
• Accessed: December 27, 2025