The Old Church School
Supports Fair Frome

Each of our buildings are deeply-rooted in their local communities. Part of that connection means that we like to give back to the places we call home through charity partnerships.

At The Old Church School in Frome, we’ve recently joined forces with Fair Frome – a charity that champions greater financial, educational and social equality for people living in Frome and the surrounding areas.

We caught up with Senior Co-ordinator, Lenka Grimes, to find out a little bit more about the charity and they work they are doing.

When and how did Fair Frome start? What was the initial inspiration or need it addressed?

Fair Frome started in 2014 in response to a growing need identified by a feasibility study of food poverty for a Food bank in the town.

What are the primary programs or initiatives that Fair Frome currently runs?

Food Bank, Furniture Bank (we repair where possible, recycle, and buy white goods if necessary), Food at 5 Community Meals three times per week across the town, Baby basics Bank, Community Pantry (provides membership of 6 months for a low cost weekly shop), Holiday lunches for children, Financial Assistance (includes school uniform, clothes and shoes, help with transport to medical appointments, heated blankets, books, help with school trips, refurbished laptops/phones). We are also part of the team that deliver the Frome Christmas Get-Together

What are some of the unique challenges that Fair Frome faces, specifically within the Frome community?

The growing need within the town as the cost-of-living crisis continues and the growing costs for us as a charity,  as more and more charities are filling gaps and less funding is available. We have noticed the middle layer of people who used to donate food and money to us can not do this anymore. 2024 was our hardest year yet.

Frome has changed a lot and, due to its success as a sought after town to live, there is a housing crisis. Rental and house prices have increased so it’s very expensive and people are struggling to pay their rent and there are over 400 airbnbs/second homes, which is also squeezing the market.

How does Fair Frome collaborate with other organisations or businesses in Frome?

Fair Frome hosts quarterly meetings with all our referral organisations and speaks to them on a regular basis to identify current needs and trends within the community and to discuss support for people we are working with. These include Frome Town Council, Citizens Advice, Frome Medical Practice, Schools, Housing Associations, Housing Officers, Social Workers, Mental Health Team, Health Visitors, Health Connectors, Homeless team, Debt Advisors, Parent Family Support Workers, Police and PCSOs and charities we work alongside. We believe it’s important to support and signpost people to ensure we can find long-term solutions for the issues they are facing, apart from providing the basics they need there and then.

We work closely with the Rotary Clubs in Frome and the Lions to provide expensive items, in particular we have a carpet scheme with Kevin Corcoran Carpets for those that move into properties with no flooring.

We work with local businesses Events Horizon and Ebbie’s Kitchen to provide our Community meals and Holiday Lunches, along with Marston Foods who are now providing desserts excess to production and AM Fruits in town provide free fruit every week and we fund vouchers for their shop through the food bank.

What are some of the key successes Fair Frome has achieved since it started?

As an independent charity, we have been able to respond to the needs of those affected by poverty in a practical way by developing and delivering hands-on projects in a timely fashion, working alongside partner agencies to ensure joined up approaches. Over the years each project has been added with collaboration and we also have campaigned and been a voice for the people we support.