About Us

Swindon Hardship Fund was formed in 2019 and registered with the Charity Commission in 2020 as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered Charity No. 1190979

We make small cash grants, when needed within a few days, through trusted organisations – Swindon partner organisations, that are engaged in supporting people struggling to meet the basic needs of living.

Our declared charitable purpose is specifically to support people in financial hardship in Swindon, and we do very much feel that we are about the town we live in, doing what we can to help our community. 

We are entirely run by volunteers and ensure that our overheads are kept to an absolute minimum. We do not maintain staff or a premises, so that we can direct as much support as possible to individuals experiencing severe financial hardship in our town.

We are delighted that Beard Construction has chosen us as their charity of the year for 2024.

Our Trustees

Steve Russell
Steve is retired and has a background in physics and engineering. He has lived in Swindon for over 30 years and is a volunteer at Eastcott Community Organisation which runs Eastcott Community Hall in Old Town. He is an active member of the Swindon Quaker Meeting. Founding Trustee.

Lesley Gow Lesley Gow is a retired community & social worker who has lived in Swindon for over 30 years. She has worked for voluntary sector agencies & for statutory services . Her main working experiences have been in homelessness , mental health & addiction . In addition to being a Trustee with SHF she is a committee member for a local dementia cafĂ©. She is an active member of Swindon Quaker Meeting.

Annie Vickers
Annie has worked in community work in Swindon for 15+ years. She was part of the Harbour Project for 5 years, a vital charitable service provider for Asylum Seekers. She now works for The Trust Partnership, a company that supports many grant making organisations- where her role is focused on governance. Founding Trustee.

Pradeep Bhardwaj
Pradeep has been living in Swindon (Wroughton) for 19 years. He is Chair of the Hindu Temple, Trustee of Prospect Hospice, a Trustee of Wroughton Community Centre and he is a Rotarian. He is a technologist and Head of 5G for the Carlyle Group investment firm. During the 2020 Covid-19 Lockdown, Pradeep distributed many essential food parcels to people in need in the town. Founding Trustee.

Trevor Carlton Trevor is a retired Police Officer who served in the Wiltshire Constabulary. His role while serving was very community based. He has lived in Swindon for the majority of his life and served as a school governor for twelve years. He is also heavily involved in a community group rejuvenating Westlea Park, Swindon.