About Us
In 1980 a small group of people in Redbourn, led by Peter “Podge” Fox MBE, began offering lifts to people in the village, who couldn’t get to medical appointments by themselves. The service spread to include a wider number of drivers and “clients”. Very soon the founding volunteers established Redbourn Care Group as a social self-help organisation. It became a Registered Charity in 1987. The Care Group’s success was recognised with the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award in 2003: an award of national significance, celebrating the important contributions of volunteers to the well-being of their communities.
The founders remained active in the running of the organisation for many years before handing over the responsibilities to a new generation of trustees. Their founding principles of neighbourliness and friendly assistance remain at the core of all that we do today.
In 2020 the coronavirus pandemic caused the postponement of celebrations to mark 40 years of service. Instead Redbourn Care Group was remarkably quick to organise and coordinate additional services to support the most vulnerable villagers. Recognising that this support was needed and valued by residents of all ages and life stages, it was decided to change the name to indicate that we have a wide range of help and services available to the whole community when support is needed. In 2021 ‘Redbourn Care Group’ became ‘Redbourn Community Group’.
Redbourn Community Group does not receive statutory funding. We regularly apply for an annual grant from the Parish Council and occasional grants from charitable trusts. We are the grateful beneficiaries of donations from village fundraising events such as Redbourn Classics Motor Show.
In addition to this, generous individuals send us donations and we are extremely honoured to be chosen to receive gifts in memory of loved ones or client legacies. All money received is used to provide ongoing services and cover running costs. Click here to find out how you can support us.
The services and support that Redbourn Community Group provides to the village are ever more essential. As long as there is a need, and as long as the funding allows, we will continue to provide support to our community. Where we receive new demands for assistance, if we identify there to be a gap in existing provision, we will consider developing additional services and initiatives.
For more information on our future business plan, please click here.
