Charities from across Gloucestershire gathered at The Hill in Stroud on Tuesday for Making a Difference Day, an event organised by Gloucestershire Freemasons to highlight the work their grants help to sustain.
Groups that received grants and donations totalling more than £300,000 in 2025 were invited to speak about what that support means on the ground. Charity Steward Sean Sullivan opened the afternoon. Ian Davies, head of Gloucestershire Freemasons, then spoke about making the organisation’s community support more visible, including volunteer time through the Community Action Support Team. He said the real thanks belong with the charities helping people across the county who need a hand.
Edward Gillespie, His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, set the wider civic context. His role includes supporting Royal Family visits to the county and recognising local people through British Empire Medals and Citizenship Awards. “It’s the people in this county who make it work,” he told those present.
Faye Hennessey of the Gloucestershire Community Foundation outlined the scale of local grant-making. The foundation has awarded £3.8 million over the past five years, with grassroots awards reaching more than 64,000 beneficiaries each year. It manages more than 50 funds, including the Freemasons' Fund, which channels Freemason donations into community projects.
Michael Jones, Warden of the Honourable Company of Gloucestershire, described the company as a force for good. It has around 130 members and counts the Princess Royal as Patron. Its focus stretches across the Armed Forces, arts and heritage, business, community, and countryside and environment. He highlighted a bursary scheme for apprentices run with further education colleges, designed to cut drop-out rates, and thanked the Freemasons for backing that work.
Jim Richmond, a trustee of Berry Hill Memorial Hall, told how the building began as a practical memorial to those who served in the First World War. Bought from the Ministry of Defence in 1921 after standing on Salisbury Plain, the hut now hosts community activities for all ages. Freemason funding has helped pay for essential repairs.
Melanie Hall, Community Partnership Manager at Acorns Children’s Hospice, spoke about supporting families after a difficult diagnosis. Although the hospice is based in Worcestershire, it serves Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and South Warwickshire. She said the hospice is grateful for the backing it receives from Gloucestershire Freemasons.
Tyler Carpenter represented the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA). The charity runs three lifeboat stations with 250 volunteers. A recent grant paid for helmet communications sets and an infra-red camera for the Sharpness station. Kit for each volunteer costs between £1,000 and £2,000. SARA is still fundraising for a flood boat and further helmet kits for Beachley.
Julie Kent, a Past High Sheriff and chair of the Pied Piper trustees, closed with a note on the pressures facing the voluntary sector. In tough finances, she said, Gloucestershire’s roughly 2,500 charities may need to collaborate more, share assets, or even merge. She thanked the Freemasons for their ongoing community work.
The afternoon left a clear picture: grants, equipment and volunteer hours are landing with groups that keep halls open, boats on the water, and care available for families across the county.