As the year comes to a close, we’ve been reviewing our work across the town in 2025. We’re a place-based charity, funded entirely through our own investments, providing support to individuals, families, and organisations right here in Chippenham.
This year we’ve awarded over £449,000 in grant funding, directly touching the lives of nearly 400 households and families and supporting 38 local organisations and schools. Every pound has gone towards essentials, vital services, and opportunities that strengthen our community.
CBLC made direct grants to residents facing short-term difficulties. These grants helped with food, essential household items, mobility equipment, and education costs. While amounts were usually modest, they provided timely support and helped people manage everyday life.
We’ve also funded a wide range of local organisations and these grants are expected to reach more than 20,000 beneficiaries. The grants will support schools, health and wellbeing services, community groups, cultural activities, sports clubs, and local facilities. Funding has also been used for staffing, equipment, training, improvements to buildings and shared spaces, and programmes that would otherwise have been reduced or discontinued.
All of CBLC’s work is focused on Chippenham and aims to support residents, services, and opportunities in the town.
Individual Grants
When residents face unexpected hardship, we’re here to help. In 2025, we awarded 81 individual grants totalling £48,785, with amounts ranging from £75 to £3685, providing immediate, practical support when it mattered most.
What we funded:
- Food and energy support – vouchers when money ran out
- Home essentials – cookers, washing machines and fridges
- Beds and furniture – essential items
- Mobility and disability aids – scooters, profiling beds, stairlifts restoring independence
- Education support – course funding and essential equipment
“A warm meal when money ran out.”
“A working washing machine for a family.”
“The freedom to move independently again.”
Christmas Voucher Scheme
We know that the festive season can be the most financially stressful time of year for many families. Our Christmas Voucher Scheme provided £47,300 in supermarket vouchers to 316 households including 42 single-person households and 274 families.
With vouchers ranging from £75 to £175, families told us they would now be able to afford food and everyday essentials during a time when every penny counts.
“A proper Christmas lunch for my children.”
“Food in the freezer to get us through the holidays.”
“Peace of mind at the most stressful time of year.”
Community Funding
Local organisations provide the backbone of community support, yet many struggle to secure the funding they need. This year, we invested £326,135 across 32 local organisations, with grants ranging from £595 to £10,000. This included both 1st and 2nd year payments of 14 multi-year grants which help to give an organisation the security of grant funding each year for up to 3 years.
These grants are expected to reach more than 20,000 beneficiaries across Chippenham, supporting everything from mental health counselling and youth programmes to food access, stroke rehabilitation, and community events. Funding has been used for staffing, equipment, training, building improvements, and programmes that would otherwise have been reduced or discontinued.
Photo: Volunteers from FoodBox based at St Peter’s Church
School Social Fund
No child should miss out on school trips, uniforms, or learning opportunities because of financial pressure at home. Our School Social Fund allocated £27,906 across 13 local schools, with funding distributed fairly based on Free School Meal eligibility.
- Helping to remove financial barriers to learning
- Enabling participation in trips and activities
- Less financial stress around school costs for local families
- Schools can discreetly respond to pupil needs
13 schools supported:
St Paul’s Primary, Frogwell Primary, Abbeyfield School, Charter Primary, Redland Primary, Sheldon School, St Peter’s C of E Academy, St Mary’s Catholic Primary, Monkton Park Primary, Hardenhuish School, Queens Crescent Primary, Ivy Lane Primary, King’s Lodge Primary
Looking Forward
We are self-funded through our own investments with no public donations required. We aim to invest where it’s needed most, responding to the real challenges facing Chippenham residents today.
We’d like to thank the many individuals and organisations who have helped us reach people most in need of our support. Thank you to everyone who has shared our message through word of mouth, social media, or formal referral routes – and a huge thank you to all the charities, groups, and support organisations working to improve life in Chippenham. We think you’re amazing!
We open again after the Christmas break on Friday 2nd January and look forward to another year of supporting the community of Chippenham.
