The Charities of Holditch and Others can be traced back to 1905, when it was established to help the poor and needy within the Ancient Parish of Okehampton. The Charity has evolved since 1905 and in 2015, a new scheme was approved by the Charity Commission. The Charities of Holditch and Others supports people and organisations who are based within Okehampton and its four Hamlets - Brightley, Southcott, Meldon and Stockley.
Trustees distribute the annual income of the charity (approximately £4,500) in three ways:
- Individual grants to pensioners who are in receipt of pension credit
- Individual grants to students who are under 24
- Grants to voluntary organisations who aid the elderly or students.
In 2017, trustees awarded 13 individual grants to pensioners and supported six local organisations. Local organisations supported by the Charities of Holditch and Others in the past two years are Okehampton and District Community Transport Group, Young Devon, The Macular Society, Tor Support Services, COPD Support Group, Carers Support, Age Concern, Parkinsons Support Group, DYS Space, Forget Me Not Café, Okehampton 6thForm and Walk and Talk.
The trustees would ask any pensioners (in receipt of pension credit) or students who live within Okehampton and Hamlets to get in touch with the clerk to discuss how to apply to the Charity.
Trustees would also be interested to hear from any voluntary organisations in need of financial support who aid the elderly or students within Okehampton and the Hamlets.
The Charity can be contacted on 01837 55179 or by email clerk@okehaptoncharities.org.uk
or in writing to The Charities of Holditch and Others C/O 15 Upper Crooked Meadow, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1WW.