Mountsorrel Relief In Need Charity

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £182,425 (2024)
• Grants Distributed: 115 individual grants (2024)
• Decision Time: Applications reviewed every 6 weeks
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: Mountsorrel parish (with parishes of Thurcaston and Swithland), Leicestershire

Contact Details

Website: www.mountsorrelcsf.org.uk

Email: kate@mountsorrelcsf.org.uk (general) | jo@mountsorrelcsf.org.uk (Coordinator - Jo Alesbrook)

Phone: 07410 386483 (general) | 07931 129360 (Coordinator)

Charity Number: 217615

Overview

The Mountsorrel Relief in Need Charity (operating name: Mountsorrel Community Support Fund) was established to relieve poverty among non-conformists in the Mountsorrel area. Today, the charity addresses poverty, hardship and distress by providing items and services to Mountsorrel residents when they are most in need. With 12 trustees overseeing operations, the charity distributed 115 individual grants to households in 2024, totaling £182,425 in expenditure against an income of £73,755 (year ending December 2024). Beyond direct grants to individuals, the charity also funds partner organizations including Your Store, Soar Valley Community Money Advice, and Love4Life, all working with people experiencing need in Mountsorrel. The charity serves the parishes of Mountsorrel (population approximately 12,885), Thurcaston, and Swithland, with preference given to Mountsorrel residents. The fund is governed by trustees who are shared with Mountsorrel United Charities for operational efficiency.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Relief Grants

• Amount: Not publicly specified
• Purpose: Providing items and services to residents experiencing poverty, hardship or distress
• Method: Rolling applications, reviewed every 6 weeks
• Urgent applications can be fast-tracked

Organizational Funding

The charity provides ongoing funding to local organizations serving people in need:

• Your Store
• Soar Valley Community Money Advice
• Love4Life

Priority Areas

The charity focuses on relief of financial need and physical hardship for residents of:

• Mountsorrel (primary focus)
• Thurcaston
• Swithland

Historical preference for “poor non-conformists resident in the area,” though modern practice appears to serve all residents in need regardless of denomination.

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated, but the geographic restriction to the three named parishes represents a clear limitation. The charity's focus is on individual need rather than larger organizational or capital projects.

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Governance and Leadership

The charity is governed by 12 trustees who receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits. These trustees also serve as trustees for Mountsorrel United Charities and the Charity of Hugh Phipps, with the business of the three charities combined for efficiency.

As of recent vacancy announcements, the board was seeking to improve gender diversity, noting that only 4 out of 14 board members were women.

Key Contact: Jo Alesbrook serves as the Community Support Fund Coordinator and is the primary point of contact for applicants.

The charity has no employees earning over £60,000 in total benefits and operates no trading subsidiaries.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through a straightforward process:

• Phone: 07931 129360
• Email: jo@mountsorrelcsf.org.uk
• Website contact form at mountsorrelcsf.org.uk

1. The Coordinator will arrange a confidential meeting to discuss your needs

1. The Coordinator will help you complete the application form

1. Financial details are required but kept strictly confidential in accordance with GDPR

Decision Timeline

• Applications are reviewed by trustees every 6 weeks
• Applicants can indicate if they need urgent help for faster consideration
• Notification method: Contact from Coordinator following trustee meeting

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly specified, though the rolling nature of applications and responsive approach to urgent needs suggests flexibility for ongoing support.

Application Success Factors

Direct Guidance from the Charity

Applicants describe the process as “Very easy to apply, very fair and helpful.” The charity emphasizes:

• Confidentiality of financial information
• A listening approach to individual needs
• Flexibility for urgent situations

What Recipients Say

Grant recipients have highlighted:

• Accessibility: “Very easy to apply”
• Fairness: “Very fair and helpful”
• Responsiveness: “They really helped me when I was in financial difficulty and I felt my needs were listened to”
• Sensitivity: “The charity has provided my family with sensitive and confidential support, which I will always be grateful for”

Key Success Indicators

• Being a resident of Mountsorrel, Thurcaston, or Swithland (with preference for Mountsorrel)
• Demonstrable financial need or physical hardship
• Willingness to provide financial details in confidence
• Genuine immediate need for relief

The charity's approach is notably person-centered rather than bureaucratic, with the Coordinator playing a key role in understanding individual circumstances and helping applicants navigate the process.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic restriction is absolute: You must be a resident of Mountsorrel, Thurcaston, or Swithland parishes to be eligible
• Start with a conversation: Contact the Coordinator directly rather than attempting to complete paperwork independently - they will guide you through the process
• Confidentiality is assured: Financial information is handled with strict confidentiality and GDPR compliance
• Urgent needs are accommodated: While standard review cycle is 6 weeks, urgent cases can be expedited
• Approachability is key: Recipients consistently describe staff as helpful and good listeners - be open about your circumstances
• Individual focus: The charity primarily serves individuals in need rather than organizations, though they do fund partner charities
• Shared governance: Understanding that trustees oversee multiple related charities may help contextualize decision-making processes

References

• Charity Commission - Mountsorrel Relief in Need Charity (217615)
• Mountsorrel Community Support Fund Official Website
• Turn2us Grants Search - Mountsorrel Community Support Fund
• Mountsorrel United Charities Website
• Charity Commission Register of Charities - Financial data for year ending December 31, 2024
• Website application guidance