NFU Mutual Agents and their staff at the Sturminster Newton agency recently nominated local charity Home-Start Blackmore Vale, to receive a donation of more than £6,000 from NFU Mutual’s national £1.92million ‘Agency Giving Fund’. The leading rural insurer has launched this fund, now in its fourth year, to help local frontline charities across the country. The Agency Giving Fund forms part of NFU Mutual’s £3.25m funding pledge for both local and national charities in 2023, to assist with recovery from the pandemic and to help tackle the impact of the rising cost of living.
To ensure these donations reach all corners of the UK and are directed where they’re needed most, all NFU Mutual Agencies, with more than 295 offices nationwide, have been given the opportunity to nominate local charities to receive a share of the fund. This donation has enabled Home-Start Blackmore Vale to continue its vital work supporting vulnerable families in the North Dorset area. Chelsey Gowen, Scheme Manager at, Home-Start, “Over the last 12 months Home-Start Blackmore Vale has seen an increase in demand for its service of around 15%. As a result, we need to recruit and train more volunteers to support families”.” Home-Start Blackmore Vale offers free, confidential support to families who are struggling. Chelsey added: “The money from the NFU Mutual Sturminster Newton will help cover the costs of training and supporting new and existing volunteers working with families. We rely entirely on grants and donations to continue our work, so we are so grateful for this donation”.”
Judith Green, Agent at NFU Mutual Sturminster Agency, commented: “We’re extremely proud to have nominated Home-Start Blackmore Vale for this donation and are delighted to be able to support the vital contribution they make to our community. NFU Mutual’s Agency Giving Fund was first created in 2020 in response to the pandemic, and this ongoing support is helping to change lives, providing both emergency support and building long-term resilience.”