Funding a voluntary sector organisation such as NOMAD is notoriously difficult. Henley is undoubtedly a wealthy town and is not untypical of other country towns, in that those marginalized children, young people and families suffer the usual characteristics of rural isolation.
The issues that arise are not dissimilar to those that you find in more densely populated areas. However there is not enough of one particular thing to concentrate on, which results in a small project dealing with a broad range of issues.
Convincing funders that those issues do exist in Henley is not easy, but we are grateful to those who have seen and understood. Currently they are:
Connexions –an annual grant received since 2003 which enables us to employ a full time youth worker/PA.
Henley Town Council – provide an annual grant.
Local Businesses – includingWater for Fish and Invesco make regular contributions.
The Worshipful Company of Weavers – are providing a grant over three years, enabling us to employ a second youth worker on a part time basis.
Oxfordshire County Council Early Years Services – have contributed towards the running costs of our Healthy Eating Drop In.
Henley Educational Charity – have also been generous and regular in their support particularly in the development of the NOMAD Life Skills Programme.
Other smaller amounts come from local charities and enable us to fund small one off projects.
Friends of NOMAD – set up in 2003 allows individuals to make regular monthly/annual gifts.
The services that NOMAD provides within the local community to assist with social deprivation needs to be consistent and long term. Funding on that same consistent and long term basis is essential to ensure that those in most need benefit.
