Steventon Allotments and Relief in Need Charity

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Not publicly disclosed
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Applications reviewed at trustee meetings (education grants typically reviewed in September)
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed (varies by individual need)
• Geographic Focus: Parish of Steventon, Oxfordshire only

Contact Details

Email: info@sarinc.org.uk

Phone: 07361 250 922

Address: 19 Lime Grove, Southmoor, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX13 5DN

Website: Information available via Steventon Village Website

Overview

The Steventon Allotments and Relief in Need Charity (SARINC) was registered as a charity on 24 April 1962 and operates under a scheme dated 16 January 1987, when allotment land was sold and the proceeds were used to fund the charity. SARINC serves the residents of Steventon parish in Oxfordshire with a dual mission: maintaining the village allotment site and providing relief to individuals and groups within the parish who are in need, hardship, or distress. The charity is administered by seven trustees who receive no remuneration and handle all cases with strict confidentiality. SARINC makes grants to both individuals experiencing financial hardship and to village organisations that serve the community.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Education Grants

• Available to full-time students in further education who are residents of Steventon
• Eligible students must be in receipt of a student loan or paying fees
• Applications typically reviewed in September
• Application deadline: 31 January
• Application forms available from the Clerk

Individual Relief Grants

• Provision of food, fuel, and clothing
• Assistance for the sick or disabled
• Grants or loans in financial emergencies
• All cases handled on a confidential, individual basis

Organisational Support

• Grants to village organisations and enterprises
• Previous support has included: church lighting renewal, support for the Causeway Trust (trees and pitchings maintenance), village school, sports clubs, and other village organisations
• Grant for village newsletter equipment (state-of-the-art duplicator)

Priority Areas

• Residents of Steventon parish in conditions of need, hardship, or distress
• Children and young people (particularly education support)
• Elderly persons
• People with disabilities
• Charitable organisations operating within Steventon
• Community groups serving the parish

What They Don't Fund

• Applications from outside the Parish of Steventon, Oxfordshire
• Late or incomplete education grant applications (after 31 January deadline)

Ready to write a winning application for Steventon Allotments and Relief in Need Charity?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save hours and increase your success rate.

Learn more >

Governance and Leadership

The charity is administered by seven trustees, comprising four appointed by the Parish Council and three co-opted members. The trustees include:

• Robin Mark Wilkinson - Chair
• Dawn Julia Clements - Trustee
• Stephanie Ann Everill - Trustee
• Wendy Janette Lucas - Trustee
• Steven Arthur Frederick Ward - Trustee
• Carole Joan Denton - Trustee
• Bill Temple - Trustee

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The trustees control the work, management, and administration of the charity.

How to Apply to Steventon Allotments And Relief In Need Charity

How to Apply

For Education Grants:

1. Complete the application form
2. Submit to the Clerk by 31 January
3. Late or incomplete applications will not be processed

For Individual Relief or Emergency Support:

Contact the Clerk directly at info@sarinc.org.uk or 07361 250 922. The charity recognises that “asking for help is difficult” and handles all cases with strict confidentiality on an individual basis.

For Organisational Grants:

No formal public application process is documented. Village organisations should contact the charity directly through the Clerk.

Decision Timeline

• Trustees meet periodically to consider grant applications (education grants typically reviewed in September)
• Decision timeframes for individual relief cases not publicly specified
• All cases are dealt with on an individual basis

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The charity reviews applications based on individual circumstances and need.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly documented. Given the individual nature of assessments and the education grant annual cycle, residents in ongoing need may reapply.

Application Success Factors

Geographic Eligibility is Essential: Only residents of the Parish of Steventon, Oxfordshire are eligible. This is a strict requirement.

Meet Deadlines: For education grants, the 31 January deadline is firm. Late or incomplete applications will not be processed.

Demonstrate Genuine Need: The charity's stated purpose is to relieve “conditions of need, hardship, or distress.” Applications should clearly demonstrate financial need or hardship.

For Education Grants: Applicants must be in full-time education and either in receipt of a student loan or paying fees. This eligibility criterion must be met.

Confidentiality is Assured: The charity explicitly states that “all cases are dealt with on an individual basis and in the strictest confidence,” which may encourage those hesitant to seek help.

Village Benefit for Organisations: Organisational grants appear focused on initiatives that benefit the parish community as a whole or support existing village organisations.

Don't Hesitate to Ask: The charity acknowledges that “asking for help is difficult” and encourages residents who need support to make contact.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Parish Residency is Non-Negotiable: This charity exclusively serves residents of Steventon parish, Oxfordshire. Do not apply if you are not a resident of this specific geographic area.

• Individual Assessment Approach: The charity evaluates each case individually rather than using rigid criteria, suggesting that personal circumstances and genuine need are paramount.

• Confidential and Compassionate: The emphasis on confidentiality and recognition that asking for help is difficult indicates a supportive, non-judgmental approach to applicants.

• Dual Mission: The charity maintains allotments AND provides relief grants—understanding both aspects may be helpful when approaching them.

• Education Grants Have Structure: While individual relief is handled flexibly, education grants follow a clear annual cycle with specific eligibility requirements and firm deadlines.

• Organisational Support Available: Village organisations should not overlook this local resource—the charity has supported diverse community initiatives from church lighting to sports clubs.

• Trustee Discretion: With seven trustees (mix of Parish Council appointees and co-opted members), decisions reflect local knowledge and community priorities.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Old Charity Of Thomas Dawson (2024)
• The Stanton Ballard Charitable Trust
• The Ewelme Exhibition Foundation
• The Bartlett Taylor Charitable Trust
• Banbury Charities
• Oxfordshire Community Foundation
• Mr And Mrs J A Pye's Charitable Settlement
• The St Michaels And All Saints Charity
• Henley Educational Trust
• The Great Stone Bridge Trust Of Edenbridge

References

• Charity Commission - STEVENTON ALLOTMENTS AND RELIEF IN NEED CHARITY - Charity registration details, financial information, trustees, and activities

• Steventon Village Website - SARINC - Charity overview and contact information

• Steventon History Society - SARINC - Historical background and charity establishment

• OpenCharities - STEVENTON ALLOTMENTS AND RELIEF IN NEED CHARITY - Charity overview and objectives